• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Determination, teamwork and perseverance together bring clean water for Nibi and all her friends.

Nibi is the Anishinaabemowin word for water. In Nibi's Water Song , an Indigenous girl on the search for clean water to drink. Though she is faced with repeated obstacles, Nibi's joyful and determined energy becomes a catalyst for change and action as her community, and then in widening circles the country and government, rally around her to make clean drinking water available for all. In a story perfectly levelled for young readers, there is a strong underlying message that even when a problem seems too large to face, every bit that everyone does helps. And inaction in the face of a wrong is not an option.

Sunshine Tenasco, an Anishinabeg activist for clean water, has an amazing optimistic spirit that shines through her writing. The hopeful tone and lyrical read-aloud quality of this gentle allegorical tale open the door to conversations and action aimed at young children, whether they are on a reserve that does not have clean water or they are living with access to clean water. Chief Lady Bird's stunning, original artwork carries through the themes of strength, hope, and resilience in an incredible collaboration of talent.

CHIEF LADY BIRD est une artiste Chippewa et Potawatomi des Premières Nations Rama et Moosedeer Point qui est basée à Toronto. Elle défie constamment les idées préconçues envers les peuples autochtones en chapeautant des initiatives d’art urbain, des ateliers communautaires, des projets d’illustration digitale et des techniques d’art mixtes. Elle est connue pour ses murales partout sur l’île de la Tortue. Elle signe les illustrations des albums jeunesse Nibi a soif, très soif et Un si beau sourire.

CHIEF LADY BIRD is a Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation. The first artist to create an emoji for Twitter for Indigenous Peoples Day/Indigenous History Month, she uses digital illustration, mixed-media work, street art/murals, and community-based workshops, to centre contemporary truths and envision Indigenous Futurisms. She is the illustrator of Nibi's Water Song and Smile so big.You can find her online as @chiefladybird.

Sunshine Tenasco's profile page

• Commended, Indigenous Picture Book Collection, IBBY Canada
• Short-listed, IODE Jean Throop Award
• Long-listed, First Nation Communities READ Award
• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection

Praise for Nibi's Water Song:

Short-listed, IODE Toronto Jean Throop Award, 2020

Long-listed, FIrst Nation Communities READ Award, 2020

Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection, 2020