We Are Water Protectors

April 1, 2021 In Caldecott

We Are Water Protectors

Today is the day we celebrate this year’s Caldecott Medal Winner WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS. This is the fifth and final video in our 2021 Caldecott Medal and Honor breakdown series. If you missed the first four installments in the series, catch up here:

Pull up a chair for today’s analysis of 2021 Caldecott Medal Winner WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS illustrated by Michaela Goade and written Carole Lindstrom.

We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela GoadeHere’s a brief description of this poignant book:

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.

“Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all . . .”

When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.

As well as receiving the Caldecott Medal, WE ARE WATER PROTETORS was also awarded the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text. Talk about the perfect marriage of text and illustration! In this video, Julie Hedlund reveals what makes this book so stunning and why it deserves all the award praise it’s received this year.

WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS

 

If you want to get even deeper picture book breakdowns and learn actionable steps for developing your picture book manuscripts, join us for Picture Book Flow, a series of four workshops (with on-demand replays) that walk you through creating the building blocks of your next picture book. Click here for details!

 

 

 

 

Tags:

Kelli Panique

kpanique@gmail.com
4 Comments

  • Lauri Fortino

    April 2, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    When I first saw WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS last year, I knew right away that it would be a Caldecott contender. Thank you, ladies, for another year’s breakdown of Caldecott honors! I always see, not just these books, but all picture books in a new light after hearing your awesome insight!

  • Susie Nelson

    April 6, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Hi picture book founders ,I look forward to all of picture book summit podcast.Thak you,Susie Nelson 😍

  • Beverly Taylor

    April 17, 2021 at 1:34 am

    Hello Tansi, I enjoyed learning how this book WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS meets the criteria for a Caldecott Medal. Carole Lindstrom created a beautiful lyrical story. While the illustrations by Michaela Goade supports and enhances this important story for us all.

    The illustrations are magical and will be enjoyed for years to come. I agree that it makes for a great reread and that we are at the beginning of discovering everything within it.

    I studied the illustrations as you discussed them and noticed that the cover has another element of beauty within. The girl is wearing earrings in the shape and similar colors to the Medicine Wheel.

    The Medicine wheel has so many teachings in one image alone.
    For ex: Four directions, Four elements, Four aspects of health and the Four stages of life and many more.

    NORTH: White, Air, Animals, Receive Energy, Mental Aspect, Elders Wisdom and Logic

    EAST: Yellow , Sun/Fire, Determine Energy, Spiritual Aspect, Children, Illumination and Enlightenment

    SOUTH: Red, Water, Plants, Gives Energy, Emotional Aspect, Teenager, Trust and Innocence

    WEST: Black, Earth/Physical, Holds Energy, Physical Aspect, Adult, Introspection and Insight

    Thank You, AyHay,

    Bev K. Taylor

  • Kelly Vavala

    July 17, 2021 at 10:46 am

    What a beautiful story! Julie you did a wonderful job, your voice, your description, your analysis of the book was a pure delight! I am ordering my copy right now! What a soft soothing voice you have! Perfect for reading aloud! You should read stories for audio books (like you don’t have enough going on!)