Stitches of Tradition (Gashkigwaaso Tradition): A Heartwarming Own Voices Story About Ojibwe Grandmother and Granddaughter for Kids

by Marcie R. Rendon, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Contributor)

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Family, Fiction, Native American, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Marcie R. Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation. She is a mother, grandmother, writer, and performance artist. A recipient of the Loft's Inroads Writers of Color Award for Native Americans, she studied under Anishinabe author Jim Northrup. Her first children's book is Pow Wow Summer (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014). Murder on the Red River is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

With vibrant illustrations, a comforting cadence, and a note from Heartdrum Author-Curator Cynthia Leitich Smith, this book enfolds Indigenous youth in love while offering everyone an invitation to learn about the "sacred, spiritual, and political" tradition of the ribbon skirt.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely story about an Ojibwe grandmother who makes a new ribbon skirt for her granddaughter as she grows older and the two encounter new and old traditions and events to celebrate together. I loved the repetition in this story. Despite being slightly text heavy, the repeated phrases and pattern of the narrative make it a great read-aloud.

Themes: Change, Growing Up, Grandparents, Modern Indigenous Life/Ojibwe Life and Tradition, Sewing, Clothes
Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a grandmother making a ribbon skirt for her growing granddaughter to attend various celebrations of women in their community.
There were several points I was left wandering about, are these ribbon skirts worn in all Native American tribes? Did the tradition of ribbon skirts begin after contact with white people? Sorry, I just wanted more cultural information included in the story.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A sweet, gentle story of tradition, family, and ceremony.

As Tatiana grows, her grandmother makes her different ribbon skirts to celebrate important events. Each skirt portrays meaning through the colors and symbols used.

Sweet and lyrical. A touching story of quality time spent with grandparents, the accomplishments of women and girls, and the power of tradition to connect generations. The story is a bit text-heavy but the repetition throughout helps provide balance.

The lovely, bright illustrations help bring the story to life.

The backmatter includes an Author's Note with additional information about ribbon skirts including their original creation, spiritual and political significance, famous women who have worn them to important events, and how appliqué is used to highlight symbols. There is also information about manoomin, a glossary of Ojibwe words used in the book, and a note from Cynthia Leitich Smith.

A lovely story perfect for celebrating Ojibwe culture and tradition, and for learning more about ribbon skirts.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows the tradition of how females dress for various occasions by wearing ribbon skirts which are not only colorful but the colors themselves have meanings to the Ojibwe tribe. We learn about the choosing of colors, the making of the skirts and why they are worn by female members.

It's a story of tradition as well as love as the grandmother makes larger skirts as her granddaughter grows and needs new skirts. There is a great deal of love in this story as well as the sharing of the important tradition. No doubt there are similar traditions in many other cultures.

Recommended purchase for public and school libraries for children ages 4 - 7.

M.P.
Ret. Libr Asso

[Mizzy Mint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I don't know why I have been on a ribbon skirt trend, but that's been like 3 or four of the books I picked out randomly to read. I really enjoyed a lot of the lines in this book. "Traditions stitch together generations with love" and "Stitches of tradition, stitches of love". I also really loved watching the child grow up and the grandmother age, but their relationship stayed the same. It is a short sweet and structured to be repetitive in it's story telling. But it does not get tiring. I also love how the skirt's patterns and colors change with the seasons and the age, but some colors stay. Very good book overall and definitely worth the read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book of a granddaughter and her grandmother continuing traditions in their native community. The girl loves to fall asleep to the whirring of the sewing machine knowing she will have a new ribbon skirt made especially for her. There is a repeating phrase that ties each page together: traditions stitch together generations with love. It is so heartfelt and simple and seems so fitting in this story. Backmatter from the author and the publishing director of Heartdrum the Harper Collins Imprint that allows for more native stories on our shelves.

This book is lovely.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.5/5]

These illustrations are so gorgeous and vibrant. They feel like they have real movement, some of the best art in a picture book I’ve read this year. A sweet story of how the care older generations show becomes the bedrock of important traditions. The author’s note at back was an excellent addition as well.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Excellent story of a Native girl and her grandmother that sews new ribbon skirts for various special occasions as she grows. Repeating text chunks help cement the family connection and tradition. Glossary for the Ojibwe terms, important author note. Fabulous illustrations. Written by author of Cash Blackbear mystery series!

April 3 Thursday WNDB day diverse books day

[Shannongibney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit, I got a little teary while reading this. The connections between the granddaughter and grandmother, and the artistry of Ojibwe sewing for milestones like baby naming ceremonies and coming of age celebrations are so moving and so well done. A beautiful book centering family, legacy, and culture.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, I cried at the second to the last page in anticipation of something that didn't happen but that made this all the more beautiful. Pawis-Steckley brings all the colors in the best way possible.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story about a young girl and her grandmother that details the importance of ribbon skirts and cultural traditions and ceremonies. This was a great pick for my second grader (it was a little too text-heavy for my preschooler).

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Rendon's book Where They Last Saw Her, I was curious about the ribbon skirt. Since I know less than a child about Ojibwe traditions I thought her children's book would be a great introduction, & it was. Beautiful illustrations.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely, gentle story celebrates the bond between a young girl and her ancestors, especially her grandmother, who sews ribbon skirts for her and eventually teaches her to sew as well. I loved the author's notes and the note from Cynthia Leitich Smith at the end.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells of family tradition of sewing ribbon skirts with a grandmother and granddaughter. Ojibwe words are sprinkled throughout the book. This would be good to read to a class and then have them share their family traditions and what special clothing they wear.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it. Loved it! Bright illustrations and good repetition on this tale about a grandmother, a granddaughter, and their ribbon skirts. End notes added context that I found enriching.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of familial traditions is illustrated in this one through the creation of ribbon skirts. This was beautifully crafted and made my heart smile.

[Rebecca Caufman]

A grandmother makes skirts for her granddaughter for different events as she grows.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated. Lovely to learn about this native American tradition of ribbon skirts. I love the repeated line, "Traditions stitch together generations with love."

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply lovely story and illustrations.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated - a child becomes a woman, always honoring her grandmother and her heritage

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about the way that clothing ties together multiple generations through ceremonies and symbolism. Backmatter gives more detail and context.

[Ripley McNab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great cultural lesson about native Americans. This book would be a great addition to my classroom in the future. It will help teach diversity to students.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows the tradition of how females dress for various occasions by wearing ribbon skirts which are not only colorful but the colors themselves have meanings to the Ojibwe tribe. We learn about the choosing of colors, the making of the skirts and why they are worn by female members. It's a story of tradition as well as love as the grandmother makes larger skirts as her granddaughter grows and needs new skirts. There is a great deal of love in this story as well as the sharing of the important tradition.