Naaahsa Aisinaki! / Naaahsa is an Artist!

  • Translated by: Norma Jean Russell,
  • Pages:24
  • Publisher:Second Story Press
  • Themes:Indigenous language, Blackfoot, Kainai Nation, Indigenous art, Indigenous women artists
  •  
  • Available:10/03/2023
  • Lexile:580L
  • Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient:N
Hardcover
9781772603477
$21.95

Naaahsa says art is a language everyone understands. Sometimes we make art together. We draw, we bead, we sing. Sometimes Naaahsa tells stories in Blackfoot. I even get to go with her to see her art show at the National Gallery. Naaahsa is famous for her art, but I love her hugs best!

Naaahsa is an Artist! is a celebration of art, artists, and Indigenous women artists in particular. Each page comes to life with bold patterns, shapes, and Naaahsa's encouraging words that may inspire young readers to want to make art themselves.

This dual language edition contains the story in both Blackfoot: Kainai Nation and English.

“The vibrant digital illustrations are filled with bold patterns and shapes, and the use of texture creates the illusion of collage art…. Understated yet heartfelt, this is a lovely addition to art and dual-language Indigenous picture-book collections.”

– Booklist

"Readers learn that, together, the collaborating duo express their imagination through drawing, beading, singing, and storytelling. Furthermore, readers see them engaged in music-making via the first of Heavy Shield’s expressionistic visual images that make use of neutral and cool colours which capture the tenderness of the strong emotional and arts-based connection between the two.... Naaahsa Is An Artist! is truly a gem of a picture book.... Highly Recommended."

– Canadian Review of Materials
Globe 100: Best Book of 2023   |   |  
Globe & Mail's Top Ten Children's Book of 2023   |   |  
Galleries West Best Art Books of 2023   |   |