A Very Special Resistance Roundup

I wrote a children's book!

Friends,

This week’s Resistance Roundup is special because I want to tell you all about my new and first children’s book, Winter’s Gifts!

I announced it online a few days ago, but there’s so much more I want to say about this book, which will actually be book one of a four-book series on the four seasons with Penguin Randomhouse!

First, let me introduce you to Dani (Dah-nee), a young Potawatomi girl who loves Mother Earth:

I wrote this book while we lived in Vermont, which was the perfect backdrop to embrace my inner child and the magic of winter. As you all know, I love the four seasons, and what better way to celebrate that than to write about it from the perspective of a Potawatomi family?

The book follows Dani, her brother Bo, their dog Sam (based on our own beloved Husky Sam) and their parents on their adventures and celebrations of the changing seasons.

My illustrator for the book, Gloria Félix, is an incredible artist who lives in Los Angeles and is from Mexico. She has done such a beautiful job bringing my words to life. Check out more about her here.

From the book's website:

Winter’s Gifts is the tale of a young Potawatomi girl named Dani whose family celebrates the darkest season of the year by treasuring the slowness that winter brings. Dani’s schoolmates think it’s silly to think that Earth gives us presents, but on a magical snowy day, her family and Creator give Dani the courage to teach her friends about the gifts of winter—resting, remembrance, and gratitude. Can Dani help them receive winter’s gifts?

Winter’s Gifts is a joyful and tender family story of honoring creation, the power of storytelling, and how a new perspective can transform us.

Writing this book was a combination of remembering my own little self and watching my children understand the world around them. I had a little one who used to sing to trees and get made fun of for it; I used to celebrate a close relationship with nature and slowly let go.

I want families to read this book and find curiosity and care in their connection to Segmekwe, Mother Earth. I can’t wait for you to read it!

The book has already reached #1 New Release in Native American Children’s Books on Amazon, so I am so incredibly grateful to the people who have showed up to pre-order already.

The book isn’t out until October 31st, so please go pre-order it now for yourself and some of your favorite kiddos.

Two more things for your weekend:

1. I’m listening to this podcast episode with Tom Hanks, who has written a new book, and Ezra Klein this morning. If you listen, tell me what you think?

2. My friend Dr. Pooja Lakshmin has a Substack called Therapy Takeaway which I highly encourage you to subscribe to, as well as buy her book, Real Self Care. Recently Pooja wrote a really powerful, raw piece about how to handle life when things are just damn hard. Read it here:

   What To Do When Things Fall Apart