Meet Amik the beaver and her beaver cousins in Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome by Nancy Cooper and Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley.

Amik is waiting for her cousins to arrive for a visit to her pond. Her sister is excited too but really nervous to meet everyone. When all of the cousins arrive from different places around Turtle Island they realize that they can’t find Nishiime. They all go for a tour around the pond habitat asking all of the other animals if they have seen Nishiime and learning all about Amik’s home.

Nancy Cooper has created a charming story about a very important creature, the beaver. In the story, all of Amik’s cousins come from different nations around Turtle Island and each of their names mean beaver in their respective languages. Readers also learn about all of the other animals that share a home with Amik. Amik is Anishinaabe and they likely live in and around the Great Lakes so readers learn about all of the different animals that benefit from the beavers in this area like the fox, the fish, the bear and the deer. What’s wonderful is that Nancy Cooper has sprinkled in a little non fiction information for each animal as they tell Amik what they have been doing while the beavers are looking for Nishiime.

Nancy Cooper includes teachings in this story as well, like the bringing of gifts as a thank you for having someone on one’s territory. Each beaver brings with them a gift that is unique to their culture and/or area on Turtle Island so once again, readers get a little more information about the other Nations that share Turtle Island.

Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley’s Woodland style illustrations are so fun and adorable. The illustrations are incredibly appealing and warm and inviting. Readers will be instantly drawn to the joy reflected on the beaver’s faces. I love how each beaver is dressed or adorned in an item that is reflective of their community and culture such as the amauti worn by Kigiak. The best part is that readers get to play a little game off hide and seek to see if they can find Nishiime on each page!