The Gift of the Great Buffalo by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Aly McKnight (9781547606887)

A young Métis-Ojibwe girl, Rose, travels with her family to the biannual buffalo hunt where they are joined by hundreds of other families. The hunt has become more difficult as white people and trains take over the prairies. Rose longs to join her father, who is one of the hunt’s captains. After days of no buffalo being spotted, Rose decides to help scout. She tracks the buffalo, thinking of herself as a wolf and sensing them nearby. While Rose found the buffalo, she has to also face her father, who told her not to leave camp.

A story that speaks to the real life on the prairie, the impact of white settlers and railroads, and the beliefs of the Métis people, this picture book is filled with an impactful mix of small details and a grand adventure. Written by Lindstrom who is Métis-Ojibwe and illustrated by McKnight who is a member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes, the authenticity of the story is particularly noteworthy. The watercolor illustrations have a luminous quality that captures the light on the prairie and the beauty of the landscapes, creatures and people.

Appropriate for ages 4-8.

Reviewed from e-galley.