WHEN THE SHADBUSH BLOOMS
by Carla Messinger with Susan Katz & illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden
Across double-page illustrations, two Lenape Indian families engage in similar activities—an informational juxtaposing of the activities of a family from years past (approx. 400 years ago) as they fish, garden, harvest and play alongside their contemporary counterparts. As the book moves from moon to moon (season to season), one narrative functions as the description for both side-by-side illustrations—an effective visual comparison. The illustrations are stiff, but do reflect the narrative; the text seems a little choppy, more descriptive than lyrical but interesting nonetheless. Each “moon” is named in the native language and in English. A three-page author’s note about the Lenni Lenape is informative and useful. This is a gentle introduction to the fact that Native Americans are an important part of our history—and of our present. (Picture book. 6-10)