McIlwraith, Naomi. (2026). The Great Gathering Place. Kids Can Press.
Happy Autumn Equinox! The equinoxes and solstices always make me pause and think about nature and our relationship to the Earth. As such, I thought I would review this new title “The Great Gathering Place.”
This is a BEAUTIFUL book written in English and Cree, which talks about the culture, reverence and beliefs of the Cree Nation. The front flap says “You are invited on a journey to a special place, where friends and relatives will gather to give thanks and celebrate the earth in all its wonder and abundance. Come, I’ll take you in my big red canoe.”
“Let’s go to the Great Gathering Place. Come, I’ll take you in my big red canoe.” We will meet and talk “just as the breeze and the leaves talk for hours and days.”
But first we thank our ancestors.
(this panel on the right is my favorite in the whole book) And once at the Great Gathering Place “we will build a fire and feast on the riches…”
And we will say thank you. We will talk about all good and bad, and may even “disagree, but let’s always be gentle – let’s always be kind – and let’s always love…”
There’s also a great Cree glossary and pronunciation guide at the back. And of course, I abbreviated the text, not wanting to give it all away, but it is too beautiful and important not to be quoted.
Highly recommended for ages 5-7.
