Two Ojibwe creators tell the story of a bison calf who explores greener pastures before finding his family in a safe new space.
Napesni lives in South Dakota’s Cheyenne River Reservation, where “dry dust” and the resinous “scent of Rocky Mountain juniper” cling to his fur. One day, a truck and trailer arrive to take Napesni and his relatives to a new home. The trip is confining and confusing, and upon being unloaded, Napesni runs off through Minnesota’s “thick prairie dirt.” Alone and homesick, Napesni evades humans before finally being coaxed over to a ranch, where he reunites with his family. Napesni’s journey highlights differences in regional flora and fauna while reinforcing the presence of distinct and contemporary Native communities, further reiterated through textual incorporation of Lakota and Ojibwe languages. Rendon’s sensory-centered portrayal of the young bison appropriately involves copious stamping, sniffing, and snorting, and Zimmerman’s dynamic acrylic and ink artwork, a pointillistic array of creams and tawny browns, emphasizes the hearty texture of canvas beneath rolling green hills and an azure sky. Detailed backmatter underscores the cultural impact, spiritual importance, and environmental benefits of bison while also discussing the real-life events that inspired this story: the creation of a bison herd for the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota.
A solid pick for fans of animal adventures with high engagement opportunities for young environmental stewards.
—Kirkus Reviews
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