Blog 2 - The "Art" of Reading

From the initial line of text, "Water is the first medicine,..." the reader is pulled into the beautifully 

created picture book, We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. This 2021 Caldecott Medal picture book, at first glance, seems to be a fictional piece. It reads like a fictional story. The illustrations aid in the appearance of a fictional story; in actuality, it is a lyrical non-fiction book correlated with the stand at Standing Rock by the Sioux Tribe and many others against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. The text is minimal yet concise in its message to protect the earth and her creatures. This allows the illustrations to accentuate the theme and set the mood of the story. Goade incorporates watercolor to enhance the non-fiction story of "the black snake," narrated by a young protagonist. Through the watercolors and lines, the illustrations artistically depict different layers of the story from the history of the girl's people, the creatures and water they are trying to protect, and the fight against the black snake. Each page enhances the overall story and provides insight into the history of the indigenous people; the kinship and community evolved through a common purpose. This beautiful picture book offers an excellent opportunity to discuss current events in a story-like method while still educating non-fiction events.