We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

 


Due to the subject matter We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga is a multicultural banned picture book.

The targeted age group from the publisher's wesbite, Charlesbridge.com classifies the book being around the age range of 3-7.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga defines otsaliheliga as an expression of graditude by members of the Cherokee Nation and the book follows an entire year of celebration with through all the seasons.

This book was chosen because it was listed on a list of banned books from 2023 (San Franciscco Public Library, 2024). The book has been banned in a few states particularly in Pennsylvania due to it "promoting critical race theory" (Marshall Libraries, 2022).

In evaluating this book I'm looking at illustration, imagery, and motif. So, first looking at the illustrations, the art if vibrant and is enhanced by the writing to showcase the themes of the story. The art is like a painting with flat art and detailed environments. The coloring adds to an engaging layer by showing the importance of togetherness through the art.

Second, imagery is very prevelant through the story. imagery in this sense is more about the color and visualization through the language that evokes the senses. This is present when the book refers to "savory buttery bean bread and steamy hominy soup," and "showers fill streams and shoots spring up." These examples allow you to picture without enemies the look and even taste and feel of what is being described.

Lastly, motif is super important here as it focuses on the singular theme of expressing graditude throughout the year. By showing the different ways the Cherokee Nation expresses graditude we get an understanding of their culture and their values. It then becomes an educational look into a multicultural landscape. Combine that with the art and the motif is reinforced.

For the purposes of reading a book digitally I decided to go with this one because we are very used to chapter books being digital, but not a picture book. Having a picture book in this format is a very different experience because something about turning the pages, feeling the pages and having it physically there is lost and therefore less engaging. I also read it on kindle on my phone to take this experiment even farther and found the experience not very rewarding. I plan on reading a digital chapter book for a later post to see how it compares and I will be reading that on an actual kindle to hopefully get a better experience.

References

Banned books 2022 – We are grateful: Otsaliheliga. (2022). Marshall Libraries. Retrieved February 9, 2024,  from https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/we-are-grateful/

Banned books 2023: children's picture books. (2024). San Fransico Public Library. Retrieved February 9, 2024, from https://sfpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/433865467/2353117979

Sorell, T. (2018). We are grateful: Otsaliheliga (F. Lessac, Illus.). Charlesbridge.


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