Mawkiljemk Mi’Kmawiktuk: Counting in Mi’Kmaw by Loretta Gould, Nimbus Publishing, 9781771086622, c2018, 2019
Format: Board Book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Concept book- counting
What did you like about the book? This unusual and wonderful board book gives a lesson into the language of the Waycobah First Nation. The layout is one page with the number symbol, English spelling, and Waycobah. The opposite page uses it in a sentence which is also in both languages.This makes for an easy to understand format. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and a wonderful insight into another culture and language. They feature the topic of the sentence, but also all are grounded to nature and Waycobah people.
Anything you didn’t like about it? This book may be difficult to read aloud, as there is no pronunciation guide.
To whom would you recommend this book? Young children (although, it would be a tricky book to do for story hour). Adults could begin by reading the English, allowing little readers to take in visually the Waycobah language until they can learn pronunciation. This book would also be interesting for elementary school projects of First Nations.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries, elementary schools, preschool/daycare
Where would you shelve it? Board books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Zoe and Lindsey Hughes, Marstons Mills Public Library, Marstons Mills, MA
Date of review: 8/7/19
Youth Services Book Review 
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