• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 7

“A satisfying ending ensures this nighttime adventure will soothe even the wildest child.” Kirkus Reviews

An exuberant celebration of the Buffalo’s return to the wild.

Since Declan was born, his kokum has shared her love of Buffalo through stories and art. But Declan longs to see real Buffalo. Then one magical night, herds of the majestic creatures stampede down from the sky. That’s when things really get wild!

Azby Whitecalf’s playful illustrations add to the joy and reverence in Deidre Havrelock’s picture book debut. A reprinting of the Buffalo Treaty and an author’s note describe the importance of Buffalo to Indigenous Peoples and efforts to revitalize the species.

Deidre Havrelock is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and is the author of the picture book Buffalo Wild!, hailed as an “exuberant celebration,” and Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge, coauthored with Edward Kay. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, with her family.

Deidre Havrelock's profile page

Azby Whitecalf (they/them/theirs) is a Plains Cree character designer and illustrator based out of North Battleford, Saskatchewan in Treaty 6 Territory. A graduate of the Alberta University of the Arts, they hold a Bachelor Degree in Visual Communication (Character Design). Their artistic practice focuses on fun and exciting stories with memorable and unique characters, and they enjoy working with bright colours, strong contrast, and fun shapes. Azby is passionate about creating accurate and positive representation of Indigenous Peoples and cultures, as well as exploring how to portray Indigenous Peoples in a way that celebrates multidimensional identities.

Azby Whitecalf's profile page

AMETHYST FIRST RIDER is central to the development and success of The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration. She is a member of the Kainai Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta, Canada and married to Leroy LittleBear.

Amethyst First Rider's profile page

• Joint winner, TD Summer Reading Club
• Short-listed, First Nation Communities READ Award

“This title is a celebration of the return of the buffalo from near extinction. Beautiful watercolors depict each scene of Declan’s dream.”

School Library Connection, 11/21

“An engaging modern tale with roots in an indigenous creation myth.”

CM Reviews, 09/24/21

“Whitecalf’s (Plains Cree) fanciful full-bleed illustrations . . . convey the story’s playfulness.”

Booklist, 01/26/22

“A satisfying ending ensures this nighttime adventure will soothe even the wildest child.”

Kirkus Reviews, 07/27/21

“This title is a celebration of the return of the buffalo from near extinction. Beautiful watercolors depict each scene of Declan’s dream.”

School Library Connection, 11/21

“Offers a great learning opportunity, providing a better understanding of the importance of animals from an Indigenous point of view.”

School Library Journal, 10/21