Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Canada by Richard Wagamese is a picture book that asks young readers to find comfort in the fact that they are part of a family and people that came before them and that those connections will always exist.

One thing I really loved about this was that it happened with a school assignment asking students what makes them proud to be a Canadian and how complicated that question could be for Indigenous students. It makes it very relatable for readers who have struggled with living in the wake of colonization and what that has meant for them, their families, their culture, etc.

The art uses a lot of cooler shades with some warmer shades utilized here and there to really help make everything else pop. There is also some utilization of a more traditional Indigenous art style (I’m not familiar enough to say which people(s) it comes from) and some gorgeous two page spreads.

The very end includes a sign using the rainbow colors associated with the Pride flag, which is a subtle but excellent reminder that identities intersect and could be used to introduce young readers to the concept of Two Spirits. Other signs in those panels are calling for people coming together to stand for Indigenous rights and reminders that the land is sacred and we need to take care of it, all important points to start introducing in preschool and kindergarten.

I would recommend this to educators and librarians looking for ways to introduce environmentalism and climate change and how that affects the original stewards of North America and everyone else and young readers looking for comfort when the world seems unwelcoming

My daughter and I enjoyed reading Canada by Richard Wagamese. The poetry was beautiful and poignant, and it was written in a simplistic soft way that I think is really approachable and appropriate for kids. The theme of the poem/ story is really to ‘listen’, which I think is something we can all use practice and reminders to do!

We especially enjoyed seeing all the different languages way of writing / saying “listen.”

Thank you Tundra Books for the arc!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a honest review. I promise my review is 100% accurate to me.

This may be the most touching and wonderful picture book I've had the pleasure to review. The Elders would be proud

BLUF: Beautiful illustrations, wonderful ode to First Nations in Canada without divisiveness but rather emphasizing inclusion and shared understanding.

Overall: 5🌟
Lesson: 5📍
Illustration: 5 🖌️

Mom's Review:
I loved the author's lyrical style (written in English). It was lovely to read and listen to ("A" read it out loud as well). The whole family enjoyed the sense of bringing historically different cultures together, to share one another's responsibilities for caring of our Earth, to "leave the greatest story that you can for those who come behind you."

In a way, we see the Biblical Golden Rule re-written in a different form - and every single culture world wise has something very similar. It's wonderful to see a book for children really extolling the positive virtues of how we're all connected, we all need one another, because "nothing is truly separate." I've love to hear this in the original Ojibway (*immediately goes to a search engine to see if that exists!)

"A's" Review
The pictures were so pretty and I really liked reading about Ojibway ancestors and taking good care of our [Earth] land. Plants and animals are so important and I wish everyone cared about them as much as they should! I've asked to read this a few times and I know I'll read it again soon.

"C's" Review
The Ancestors were a little scary for me, but I did like that the story said we should all try to be friends [work together]!

Dad's Review
(Pending)

(Full Traveling Book Family reviews to come!)

A huge thank you to the late Mr. Richard Wagamese, talented Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Swiftwater Publishing, & NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

All reviews are our own

Such a lovely book! I read it a few times already.
An adapted poem by Richard Wagamese is beautifully illustrated by Anishinaabe artist Mangeshi Pawis-Steckley.
The story is set around an Indigenous child who struggles with a school assignment about what makes him proud to be Canadian.
He relies on the strength of his ancestors presence and their soul to honor the past and look forward to the future in this pkace called Canada.
This should become a classic!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a reminder of how the nation of Canada was formed and the indigenous people who have shaped it. It is a reminder of the importance of their contribution to Canada’s history and they still speak and shape the experiences of Canadian youngsters today. I enjoyed the imaginary of them still ‘speaking’ today as it’s a powerful reminder that history has enduring consequences for good and helped shaped who we are and what we enjoy today. I appreciate the challenge to write a story with our lives that will impact others tomorrow and even outlive us.

I wasn’t as keen as the emphasis on the spirit world as I think that could be confusing for children. However I did appreciate that they were trying to convey indigenous beliefs and that could be an interesting learning point to introduce others beliefs to children.

All in all I enjoyed this book & it’s powerful lesson and would recommend it to others.

Both the story and illustrations have a beautiful, ethereal element, as this book is written with a lot of love. Canada is a poem written by Ojibway author Richard Wagamese and illustrated by Anishinaabe artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Though I didn’t completely understand the references to the indigenous elements in the book, I still think this is an incredibly important book, with regards to messages about honoring your culture, remembering your past and showing that people are interconnected. The illustrations are also beautiful.

Special thanks to Tundra Book Group, Swift Water Books, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Canada: We Are the Story by Richard Wagamese, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

A wonderfully illustrated children's book with a beautiful poem by Richard Wagamese, published for the first time. The central message is that we are all the story of Canada, and all of our ancestors are with us and supporting us through all we do. It begins with one Indigenous child reflecting on what it means for them to be Canadian (in preparation for Canada Day celebrations at school). Then it follows the ancestors who are always supporting this child and everyone around them.

I love the illustrations of the ancestors' spirits and how they seem to be supporting and caring for their descendants. The illustrator integrates tons of Indigenous symbolism and art as well as different landscapes across Turtle Island. For example, the final image is of everyone walking across a turtle's back. It focuses on togetherness and community and provides strong queer and disability representation.

I had hoped for less of a focus on Canada and more on Indigenous perspectives on Turtle Island, especially amid the protests against Canada Day and Doug Ford's (and others') infringement on Indigenous rights and lands. Perhaps it could have more reflection on stopping the government and its institutions (like the RCMP) from destroying the sense of community and togetherness that the book centres.

Overall, I love this book, and I will be purchasing it for my ESL library. Thank you, Tundra Book Group, for this wonderful ARC!

4.5 stars

Canada: We Are the Story, skillfully written by Ojibway author Richard Wagamese and stunningly illustrated by Anishinaabe artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, is a storybook that should find its way to every Canadian family's bookshelf, regardless of their background.
The story is inclusive and the illustrations feature people across Canada's mosaic, stressing the importance of all of us being part of a whole and of all of us coming together and, above all, listening.
This is also a wonderful introduction for children of the philosophies of indigenous peoples, and how we have more in common than we might think.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #CanadaWeAreTheStory.

This is a beautiful story about the indigenous culture of Canada. It would be a great book for both indigenous/first nation people and other cultures who would like to learn about indigenous culture. It is metered prose, which I would consider poetry. I wonderful read.

Absolutely gorgeous, dreamy illustrations. It focuses on listening to our ancestors - their wisdom, comfort, appreciation of nature. This is a good book for school age kids since the concepts are abstract (spirits ie). The text is quite repetitive. Kids will enjoy recognizing the different location/sites.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Canada is a beautifully illustrated story of Canada's land, people and languages. The message of unity and appreciating the land and elders is strong. I think this book would be a perfect addition to school/classroom/public libraries as well as personal libraries.

Thank you Net Galley, Richard Wagamese and The Tundra Book Group for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
Canada is expected t be released March 17, 2026.

Canada: We Are The Story begins with a boy who is trying to decide what to write for a school assignment on why he is proud to be Canadian. However, the book takes you on a sweeping adventure of our connectivity across lands, time, and space. It shows our connection as humans. This is a beautiful story of legacy, of what we leave behind us when we go.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an early edition of this book! I'm a wildlife educator who focuses on diverse stories that connect us to each other and nature. I particularly focus on Indigenous stories as a way to give back. I'll be adding this to my recommendation list!

The illustrations for the book are lovely.

I understand where the author was trying to go with the feeling of the book and I appreciate the tie ins to all the "old ones" but it felt a little repetitive.

This is a beautiful ode to Canada's indigenous people, and its land. The author, of Native American descent, weaves a beautiful poetic narration about our responsibility to our ancestors and to the land and the earth. The past and future are interconnected and we must be the caretakers and good stewards of the earth.

I love Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley's illustrations, and felt that they really added to the beauty of the narration. I highly recommend this book for schools and libraries.

What a gorgeous little book! The poetry and imagery complement each other beautifully. This book should be in every school and library across Canada.

I have read Wagamese's adult fiction, so I was intrigued to see how he would handle a story about Canada for children. And he does it well in a way that, for me, was not just poetic but a form of oral history. The repetition of the "command" listen actually made it feel more like a secret or a song. But ultimately, the illustration is what got me the most about this book. I loved the artwork and spent more of my time looking at the illustration than reading the story.

I do think this would make a lovely gift for a new parent or to add to a child's collection. It's also perfect for a bedtime story or read aloud story time, and it gives enough fodder for discussing what it means to be Canadian and Indigenous in Canada.

A lovely story. A beautiful book. Definitely recommend.

This is a stunning book. It is a beautiful story about those who came before us. It helps the reader see and honor the past. While honoring the past, the reader can do things in the present to conserve the stories of those who came before us in the future. While this book is based in Canada and its history, the story applies to many other places.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A beautifully illustrated and poetically written ode that honours Canada and all Canadians, indigenous and immigrant. This book needs to be in every home, school and library. As an expat, I will be buying this to share my heritage with my children.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the free ARC. These opinions are wholly my own.

Canada, We Are the Story, written by Richard Wagamese and illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is a beautiful story of family, tradition, and community. The book reminds the readers that their ancestors came before them, and pass on their traditions. The book also shows readers how they too are a part of the community, and that they are leaving an example for the future.
I loved the words and illustrations, and also the inclusion that was shows in the illustrations. Also really appreciated how the book seemed to show full circle, by having the children participate in familial and community traditions.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, publisher, and illustrator of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.