Wisdom Weavers: Explore the Ojibwe Language and the Meaning of Dream Catchers

Gr 2-4–A young boy named Jack learns about the significance of the dreamcatcher at school. After school, his dad takes him to a nearby river to gather traditional dreamcatcher-making materials. Together, they make one for Jack’s grandmother. Jack and his dad speak Ojibwe, and a pronunciation key and definition are present on each page to assist readers in learning the language. Promised in the digital galley will be a QR code to hear the pronunciation. The story is slight, serving as a vehicle for learning the vocabulary. Artwork is lacking. Flat backgrounds and awkwardly proportioned figures do little to support the text. Additionally, QR codes in every spread interfere with the art composition. Back matter includes a two-page spread with approximately 60 QR codes: the abundance of black-and-white dots evoke memories of an old TV screen gone to static. Also included are instructions on how to make a dreamcatcher.