Here Come the Aunties!

A wealth of aunties contribute to an Indigenous child’s day-to-day in this lovingly communal picture book portrait. Celebratory text introduces the relatives offering support across settings and skill sets as Auntie Abby visits young River’s family to help with the family garden, Auntie Meg takes cousins fishing, Auntie Emma teaches children about their heritage, and Auntie Kylie gives a thrilled River a pair of handmade moccasins. Muscogee Nation citizen Smith (Jingle Dancer) clearly models the joys and benefits of extended bonds across everyday occurrences (bus rides, meals shared) and significant life events (a wedding, a time of mourning). And when River graduates the second grade and the child’s family welcomes a new baby, the aunties are there to cheer everyone on—as River says to the infant, “Here come the aunties!” Ink, gouache, and digital illustrations from Oneida Nation of Wisconsin descendent Aphelandra (The Heartbeat Drum) employ saturated color blocks to portray individual interactions that build to a rich vision of loving interdependence. Characters are depicted with various skin tones. An author’s note indicates that River is of Muscogee heritage. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown Ltd. (Feb.)