Description
Louise Bradford is the author of two picture books, and her other stories have been produced by CBC Radio and CBC Television. A proud member of Batchewana First Nation, she was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and now lives and writes in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Maya McKibben is a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary animator and illustrator living on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations. They are Irish-settler, Ojibwe with roots in White Earth Nation and diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico. They grew up in ch'atlich and later in the southwest of England. Maya illustrated the picture books Swift Fox All Along, written by Rebecca Thomas, which was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award, and The Song That Called Them Home, written by David A. Robertson. Maya’s work has also appeared in graphic novels and comics, including Image Comics’ The Silver Coin #5, Salmon Run, Shades of Fear and Amanda Strong’s adaptation of Four Faces of the Moon.
An action-packed picture book inspired by the true experiences of Indigenous mail carriers.
One winter, the weather is so bad in Sage’s remote village that the mail can’t be delivered to or from the neighboring community for many weeks. But then, on a clear morning, Sage’s father decides he’ll have enough time before the next storm arrives to transport everyone’s letters and packages on the Snowshoe Express, a dogsled pulled by Nimoosh. When Sage finds an overlooked package in the snow and runs to catch up, she gets to go, too. But then they have a frightening encounter with wolves in the woods, a fast-moving storm threatens to overtake them, and Sage’s excitement turns to fear. Will they (and the mail) be able to get to the other village safely?
This compelling, edge-of-the-seat adventure story is based on the life of author Louise Bradford’s Anishinaabe and French great-great-grandfather, who delivered mail by snowshoe and sled. It offers children an excellent introduction to the important, and often treacherous, work of Indigenous mail carriers, bringing to life a lesser-known part of Indigenous history. Artwork by award-winning illustrator Maya McKibbin perfectly captures Sage’s range of emotions and vividly portrays the snow-covered landscape in shades of blue and white.
The story features cultural details in the illustrations as well as Anishinaabemowin words, with a glossary. An author’s note and an introduction from the former chief of Batchewana First Nation, the community of the author’s ancestor, are also included. There are numerous curriculum links throughout to social studies and Indigenous history lessons. Audience: Ages 4-8.