Review: Counting in Mi’kmaw / Mawkiljemk Mi’kmawiktuk

Title: Counting in Mi’kmaw / Mawkiljemk Mi’lmawiktuk
Author: Loretta Gould
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 30, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

One is Ne’wt, for one bear. Two is Ta’pu, for two women at the sacred fire. Counting from one to ten in English and Mi’kmaw, baby is introduced to both the ancestral language of Mi’kmaki and to Mi’kmaw culture and legend, through beautifully rendered illustrations of important animals, like turtle, bear, and beaver, to concepts integral to the Mi’kmaw world view, like the Four (Ne’w) Directions, and the Seven (L’luiknek) Mi’kmaw teachings. Features bright and detailed illustrations from celebrated Waycobah-based Mi’kmaw illustrator, Loretta Gould.

Review:

I read this book as part of the Toronto Public Library reading challenge for 2019. It is a great children’s book!

This book teaches children how to count to ten in English and Mi’kmaw. The numbers and words that describe the illustrations are written in both languages.

The illustrations are beautiful. They contain images from the natural world in the Native style. They were detailed and a wonderful addition to the story.

I really liked this book. I’m glad to see a children’s book that is an introduction to Native Canadian culture, which is an important part of Canadian history.

What to read next:

Have you read Counting in Mi’kmaw? What did you think of it?