This Land Is a Lullaby

  • Illustrated By: Delreé Dumont
  • Pages:32
  • Publisher:Orca Book Publishers
  • Themes:connection to the land, Traditional Territory, sounds of nature, Cree, calm
  •  
  • Available:09/17/2024
  • Lexile:AD570L
  • Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient:M
Hardcover
9781459836099
$21.95
Ebook
9781459836112 LICENSE OPTIONS
$17.99

★“In warm, soothing language, a mother speaks to her infant, poetically describing their ancestral surroundings and reflecting on traditional Cree knowledge…Luxuriantly alive with glowing colors and textured patterns, Dumont’s (Onion Lake Cree Nation) exquisite pointillist illustrations resemble three-dimensional beadwork. This eloquent and insightful picture book (…) honors the enduring relationship between a child, their ancestors, and the land.” — Booklist, starred review

As daylight fades to dusk and slips into darkness, this gentle lullaby celebrates the sounds of the Prairies and the Plains on a stormy summer's night.

From the hum of dragonflies to the drumming of thunder, with grasses swirling and the northern lights glimmering, This Land Is a Lullaby shares a song and dance—a gift from the ancestors that soothes children to sleep and reminds them of their deeply rooted connections to the land.

Written as a lullaby for the author's daughter and featuring striking pointillism artwork, this lush lullaby of the land honors the beauty of the Prairies and the Plains and the spiritual connection between Indigenous children, ancestors and their Traditional Territories.

★“In warm, soothing language, a mother speaks to her infant, poetically describing their ancestral surroundings and reflecting on traditional Cree knowledge…Luxuriantly alive with glowing colors and textured patterns, Dumont’s (Onion Lake Cree Nation) exquisite pointillist illustrations resemble three-dimensional beadwork. This eloquent and insightful picture book (…) honors the enduring relationship between a child, their ancestors, and the land.”

– Booklist, starred review

“The book’s lexical simplicity and visual dynamism will engage even the youngest readers, providing a beautiful glimpse into the unbreakable bond between Indigenous people, their lands, and their ancestors who are still a part of them. Like a stirring song, this tale will move readers with its tranquil, reverent tone.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“[A] soothing, lyrical picture book…Intricately detailed, the pages look like beautiful beadwork…An ideal read-aloud choice. Highly recommended.”

– CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Dramatic images created by Delreé Dumont fill double-page spreads with the intense beauty of flower-filled meadows, reedy ponds, golden grasses, and northern lights. Little ones ready for sleep will find comfort in the words as they speak to the bond that exists between Indigenous people and the land they call home. A mother’s warmth and love are reflected in the words she speaks.”

– Sal's Fiction Addiction
Loan Stars Canadian Juvenile top 10 pick   | 2024  |  Commended
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels   | 2025  |  Commended
New York Public Library (NYPL) Best Books for Kids   | 2024  |  Commended
Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets   | 2024  |  Commended
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature   | 2025  |  Short-listed
International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Canada Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award   | 2024  |  Short-listed
BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize   | 2025  |  Short-listed