Review - Counting in Mi'kmaw

Counting in Mi'kmaw
by Loretta Gould
Date: 2018
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 12
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

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.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The synopsis seems a little off for this one (the first illustration depicts a turtle, not a bear), but taken on its own, the book seems quite strong. Each number is written out in English and Mi'kmaw, and then we see a phrase (again, in both languages) along with an illustration. Some of the illustrations are really quite stunning; I haven't seen much in the way of Mi'kmaw art before, but if this book is representative of it, then I think I quite like it.

There's not really much you can say about a counting book, is there? My only complaint about this one is that I wish there was a pronunciation guide. I have a feeling I'd butcher the Mi'kmaw if I tried to read this book out loud.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5