Caldecott medalist Michaela Goade's new picture book is a gorgeously illustrated tale of family and land that warmed my heart and felt so cozy.
On an island at the edge of the sea, a young girl learns from her grandmother how to live on the land, picking berries of all kinds from the forest:
She learns to care for and give thanks to the land as together they make syrups, marmalade, pie, scones and jams with their harvest, and as the seasons change the young girl passes along all she has learned to her little sister. In a lovely author's note packed with information, Michaela Goade talks about how she too grew up on an island at the edge of the sea picking berries that have always been a celebrated part of Tlingit life.
Berry Song was named as a Caldecott Honor Book on January 30, 2023. Hot Dog written and illustrated by Doug Salati was awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.