You Are the Land

PreS-Gr 2–An Indigenous child’s family welcomes her in this powerful story of identity. Grandparents, parents, and community members all celebrate a young girl’s life. “You are the land, a new spring leaf,” her grandmother sings to her. Grandfather says she is water, her mother says she is the mountains, and her father says she is the sky. She, in turn, compares them to a flower, the ocean, a valley, and the sun. Every comparison is derived from the natural world and reinforces her ties to the land where her community lives. Littlebird’s illustrations expand on the meaning behind the text. For instance, when her father tells the child she is “a glittering galaxy,” her hair drifts behind her and becomes a night sky filled with planets. In another spread, her hair becomes a hillside covered in trees. As the child grows and learns about her place in the world, the story highlights the natural ties between humans and nature. This would be a wonderful mentor text to use with students learning about metaphors and similes.