GIVER OF GIFTS

A rhyming picture book offers an appreciation of nature.

Opening with a quote from naturalist John Muir, Cade’s story starts on a strong note, showing humanity’s connection to the natural world in a stunning opening illustration. Describing how “nature’s factory takes / in toxins, giving back air,” the rhyming text leans into metaphors of how Mother Nature provides everything that is needed. For the most part, this tale is effective, especially when describing the natural world’s beauty and the unity of all living things. Calling on readers to do their part, the narrator emphasizes the responsibility humans have to care for the planet. But despite the idea of unity, credits given to Native Americans as “our first stewards” who taught “us to take / only what we need— / and leave abundance / guaranteed” feel awkward. The author is clearly trying to praise Indigenous peoples, but doesn’t quite succeed. The text glosses over broken treaties and treats Native Americans as a monolith. In addition, Riegler’s mixed-media images represent Native peoples with stereotypical iconography. Still, the rest of the illustrations are beautiful, particularly when representing Earth in human form, with ocean skirts and forests in her hair. The watercolor backgrounds deliver a sense of realism, and the sweet cartoon animals have kid appeal. While Cade’s scansion shifts, the rhymes are easy to find and the flow is musical. But the choice to use cursive for key phrases may stymie emergent readers.

An intriguing but uneven tale with a lovely environmental theme and some gorgeous images.