[Review] Be a Good Ancestor by Leona Prince and Gabrielle Prince

Title: Be a Good Ancestor
Author: Leona Prince and Gabrielle Prince
Illustrator: Carla Joseph
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Pages: 32
Publication Date: May 17th, 2022

Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors.

Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions.

A big thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I'm always so thankful to have these opportunities! 

Today we have a book that has a 4 triquetra rating of "I really liked it." 

Be a Good Ancestor has Indigenous values at the forefront - being kind to land, animals, others, Self. It's beautifully illustrated and will catch the eye of child and adult alike. The paintings are richly colored and and have a flowing energy that brings you into the story. 

The words themselves are simple, and repetitive, which will be great for younger children to practice reading on their own, and can become a bit of a chant for adults who are reading to younger kids. 

"Be a Good Ancestor" is repeated on each page, and is a beautiful call to action that the things we do now, the things we say now, can go on beyond our singularity to the collective. What we say and do matters, and each time we speak or move, this should be something that we're holding space for. 

I think Pagan parents will especially love this one, but all families should be reading more #ownvoices and listening to Indigenous wisdom. 

About the Author

Leona Prince is from the Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whu’ten and belongs to the Likh Tsa Mis Yu (Beaver) Clan. She is a descendant of Chief Kwah and Stiche. Leona is an award-winning educator and is currently the District Principal of Aboriginal Education for School District 91 (Nechako Lakes). She is the author of A Dance Through the Seasons, published by WaveMaker Press.

Gabrielle Prince is from the Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whu’ten and belongs to the Likh Tsa Mis Yu (Beaver) Clan. Gabrielle is presently a full-time student at the University of Northern British Columbia, where she is pursuing a bachelor of science degree, majoring in psychology. She is the co-owner of Fireweed Canada Education Inc.

Carla Joseph is a Cree artist originally from Prince George, British Columbia. In 2016 Carla was the Artist in Residence for the Prince George Community Arts Council, and she has done design work for several organizations, including the Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia, Northern Health, and the First Nations Health Authority. Carla loves the way she makes people feel with her art. It inspires her to continue with her gift, and she loves to challenge herself by taking on many different types of projects, many of which can be seen around her community.