This is a great book. I love the cultural sensitivity. A look at Indigenous culture with a fun and beautiful book. The illustrations are simple but really pretty.

I love this series of charming books both for the lovely morals as well as the cultural sensitivity.
The character of Siha Tooskin provides a great, positive insight into Native American culture without being overly preachy or too formal and is a lovely way to satisfy curious young minds.
Technical terminology is included in the story in a natural way and the meaning can be understood through the context, and an informative glossary can be found at the end. I recommend these stories as an authentic way to learn about Native American culture.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A delightful book for sharing Native American views on nature and the web of life that we all belong to and should respect.

Beautiful. Profound. Peaceful. The delivery of life lessons balanced with nature and centuries of tradition is accessible to all children in this book.

I requested and received a free advanced reading copy of this book from NetGalley.

This series of books is awesome, I have enjoyed every single one.

I love that Paul is excited to go for a walk with his mother and spend time in nature learning the knowledge his mom will share. I thought this book did a fantastic job of explaining Nakota beliefs about nature and how we should all respect the gifts Ena Makoochay (Mother Nature) has been kind enough to provide to us.

#SihaTooskinKnows #NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley and Portage and Main Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I was attracted to it as a short, chapter book written by an Indigenous writer from Canada. I don't find many books that fit that description for my library.
This is the second Siha Tooskin book that I have read and it follows Siha (Paul) as spends time with his extended family near "the woods." There isn't much set-up of the setting or the names of the people in Paul's family but the main point of the story is the lessons that Paul soaks up from his mother as they take a walk through the woods. The strength of the story is the teachings Paul's family get from the land, including the water (river), the trees, the grass and the rocks and how these teachings make them a stronger, wiser, more resilient people.
Like an earlier book I read of this series, this reads like narrative non-fiction to me, and is perhaps a traditional way to impart teachings of the land or culture.

This is the second in this series I've read. I don't think they need to be read in order.
Siha Tooskin (Paul) goes on a walk with his Ena (mother) where he learns that trees, rocks, and animals have important lessons to teach him that will help him grow up strong and generous.
I appreciate this insight into indigenous ways of knowing. I just wish there was more 'story' here.

This was a nice children's book. I'm certainly interested in what different people teach their children and how it affects their lives. It's familiar surely, but that's why it appeals to all kinds of people. From love of who comes before to what some parts of the world mean to others. Not to mention it displays the pride of the Nakota nation in how, despite the tragedies, they don't want to be seen as victims of the past. Because respect is about love and struggles; it's how going through things again can reveal new ways of looking at life. Because compassion and kindness is all anyone really wants.

This adventure of Siha Tooskin (Paul) focuses on what people can learn from nature. As he walks with his mother in the woods and fields, Siha Tooskin listens as she tells him how the earth and its creatures and plants nurture people. The story goes on to remind us that we are care takers of the land and must respect it. In addition, the beliefs of the Nakota are told with respect and in a way that children can understand.

While this is a book for kids, it would be best enjoyed by adults and children together. The illustrations combine several different media to provide a suitable accompaniment to the text and to further explain the story. My only wish is that the glossary of Nakota words would appear at the front of the book, since it might be challenging for some readers to know the word meanings based on the context in which they are used in the story.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

With meaningful, intentional text and beautiful, well-paced illustrations, Siha Tooskin Knows the Nature of Life shares important life lessons and valuable history.

This book is a great read with an appeal to both children and adults- I can see it being used at home and at school. A glossary at the back with an explanation of how Nakota was used in the book offers even more educational usage. I'd love to see educator materials for discussion shared with this series as well!

I can't wait to see it on shelves in 2020!

Absolutely adorable book about a boy taking a walk with his mother and learning some valuable life lessons. Written clear enough for 2nd or 3rd graders and up, the lessons are straight forward and deep reaching.

Thank you to HighWater Press for granting me My Wish on NetGalley to read and review this for you. I humbly appreciate this experience.

Charlene and Wilson Bearhead did yet again, another outstanding job in inspiring and teaching us more about Siha Tooskin and his family, and the ways of their Nakota people. Through the ways of Ena Makoochay (Mother Earth), and the Creator, who teaches them. More fantastic illustrations from Chloe Bluebird Mustooch.

Siha's Ena (Mum) takes him for a walk through the forest and down to the creek, and teaches him about the interconnectedness of all life. And how being generous is an important way of their peoples. How they share this generosity even with their non-Indigenous brothers and sisters. For all peoples on Ena Makoochay, are family. Deserving of love and kindness.

A huge thank you to the Bearhead's for sharing their culture with us, bit by bit, in the eye's of 11yo Paul. Truly wonderful. To Chloe for making the story come alive in her illustrations.

This is a great story where a young boy learns about his culture. The author does a great job of touching on heavy topics that youth can understand. This was a fun, sweet and happy story. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it. I cannot wait to add it to my collection.

"Siha Tooskin Knows the Nature of Life" is a wonderful addition to the Siha Tooskin Knows series! In it, Paul (Siha Tooskin) goes with his mom (Ena) to learn about and from the forest. Paul and his mom talk about the importance of sharing, respect for animals and rocks, and the impact of colonization. I really enjoyed how Ena discusses how interconnected the world is and the strength of the Nakota people.

While this is a children's book, it is certainly appealing to older groups as well! There is lots of interesting information and everyone could do with being reminded that knowledge is not limited to one gender!

Chloe Bluebird Mustooch's illustrations enhance the experience of Charlene and Wilson Bearhead's words as well as clarify ideas that readers could be unfamiliar with.

Truly an educational masterpiece!

“We thrive because we have the gift of our ways that teach us to stay positive, to be strong, and to always find the path to live in a good way with all of creation...” “...through our ways is the strength to always remain kind and generous. Never give in and let yourself be forced to change into someone you are not.” A great book for children and adults alike to learn the basic fundamentals of Native American tradition and beliefs with subtle references to inner and community strength, kindness to others, and humble humility as noted in the mindful thoughts of Paul as he reflects on family dynamics and his own behavior throughout the book.

Through Paul’s thoughts and the walk he takes with his mother we go on a journey too, of Native American faith and tradition, which at the core of the book centers upon the theme that we can learn from everyone or everything, from our elders, to our siblings, and also the rocks and trees and animals.

The book, teaches and reminds us (not just children) to be grateful and generous. To listen and be respectful and in return wisdom and knowledge just may well be passed down to you, if you are open to the experience. Grad school is like this - a stage of self learning and developing, taking what you have read to the next level and applying it. Books carry important messages and the power of the written word and the knowledge contained within is not measured by the price paid or the reading level.

The artwork is simple, yet beautiful. I love that you can see the strokes of the pencil and the watercolor purposefully blends over. I was also drawn to the size of their eyes - which I saw to be symbolic that they are open to what wisdom and experiences they will encounter, and from Paul’s perspective, open to the wonderful of the moment.

Oftentimes I will assign a “children’s book” and students are surprised. I am an avid believer that if you cannot explain a concept to a child then you do not understand the concept fully yourself. For most adults they may not appreciate the simplicity of this book, but for those who do, parents, educators, librarians, or anyone who mentors children this is a wonderful series, and applicable in the right setting to share with other adults as well. The Nature of Life is a good candidate to read as a first assignment. From my perspective, the first rule of the classroom is to be respectful and listen when others are speaking. While they may not share the same thoughts or perspective, you may learning something new, and like this book, remind us what it is to be human, to have humanity, a powerful message. Inclusive of this, Paul realizes himself how much he has to learn, and with renewed awe the truth that his parents continue to learn each day.

The words contained in this book and its symbolism convey a much deeper message than the cover or synopsis can define.