Misaabe's Stories

Publisher's Description (Portage & Main Press): 
Misaabe tells great stories—stories about saving a city from giant green trolls, reading supersonic books with x-ray glasses, and how his dad is a secret agent fighting bad guys, and that’s why he can’t come to visit. When Misaabe’s stories go too far, he must learn how to be honest and authentic with his friends. 

An Anishinaabe child shares his talent for storytelling and learns to embrace his insecurities in this relatable story. A pronunciation guide for the Anishnaabemowin words can be found at the back of the book. 

Rich in culture and grounded in traditional knowledge, Katherena Vermette’s The Seven Teachings Stories series features themes of love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, and truth. Contemporary Indigenous children explore the Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe through stories of home and family that will look familiar to all young readers in these books for ages 3–5.

Author Biography (Portage and Main Press): 
Katherena Vermette (she/her/hers) is a Red River Métis (Michif) writer from Treaty 1 territory, the heart of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2013, her first book, North End Love Songs (The Muses’ Company) won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry. Since then, her work has garnered awards and critical accolades across genres. Her novels The Break (House of Anansi) and The Strangers (Hamish Hamilton) were both national best sellers and won multiple literary awards. She is the author of numerous other bestselling titles, including the A Girl Called Echo series (HighWater Press) and the Seven Teachings Stories series (HighWater Press). 

Irene Kuziw graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Art. Over the years, she has worked in galleries, museums, and schools. As a freelance artist, she has been commissioned for countless portraits and illustrations, and her work has been exhibited in numerous art shows. After taking early retirement and moving to the Interlake region of Manitoba, Irene is now able to devote her time to doing what she loves – drawing. Always seen with a pencil in her hand, she explores the abstraction of reality, whether it be the human face or the animal spirit.

Resource type: Picturebook

Age recommendation: Grades K-3

Keywords: Residential schools, hope, reclamation, language, Anishnaabemowin, Anishinaabe, love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, truth, Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe, history, Seven Sacred Teachings, urban setting, Cultural Lessons, Indigenous Urban/Contemporary

Year of publication: 2015

Publisher information: HighWater Press