We Are Water Protectors: (Caldecott Medal Winner)

By Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade

From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors, issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and curruption—inviting young readers everywhere to join the fight.

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.

The fight continues with Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, the must-read companion book to We Are Water Protectors. Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Bridget George, it tells the story of real-life water protectors, Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, two Indigenous Rights Activists who have inspired a tidal wave of change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Mar 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781250780997

Carole Lindstrom

Carole Lindstrom is the author of the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Award-winning We Are Water Protectors. She is Anishinaabe/Métis and is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians. She was born and raised in Nebraska and currently makes her home in Maryland.

Book preview

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Reviews for We Are Water Protectors

[j_odiorne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom, is a magnificently illustrated story told from the point of view of a contemporary indigenous girl who reveals what she has learned from her grandmother about what (and who) water is. “Water is life, “sacred”, and the “first medicine.” It is “Spirit” and nourishes us. Water is alive and it remembers. Her ancestors have taught her to be a steward of the Earth. When the black snake arrives and threatens to destroy the land and poison the water, our young protagonist, a water protector, is compelled to rally her people and fight against it. She leads with a pro-Earth charge to “Stand with and for the water”, and “for the land.” To stand as one and courageously fight against the black snake that endangers her people. This story is a call for awareness, indigenous rights, social justice, and a call to action to the reader.Critical Analysis:It is easy to see how this creatively presented picture book was awarded the Caldecott Medal identifying it as a “distinguished American picture book for children”. Illustrator, Michaela Goade, Sitka, of Tlingit descent, tribally enrolled with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska was a perfect choice for this work. She made history as the first nonwhite woman, first indigenous woman, and the first BIPOC woman to win the Caldecott Medal (2021) ever in 83 years.The artistic technique utilized, and cultural pictorial interpretation of the story, theme, and concept is excellent. The illustrator fittingly uses watercolor as a medium to depict a wonder-filled variety of beautifully detailed images that are intriguing to both young and older readers. The method by which Goade utilized her artistic craft to reveal the culture, setting, plot, the power and strength of our young protagonist, and the interrelatedness of the creatures of the Earth is amazing. Additionally, there are a variety of literary elements in this appealing book perfect for teaching. It will help children understand important environmental concerns, the connectedness of nature, and the story of Standing Rock. A mirror book for indigenous peoples and a sliding door for others, it is a perfect mentor text for Earth Day, Indigenous Peoples month, or to explore topics of indigenous cultures and rights, stewardship, activism, environmentalism, social justice, and children using their voice to create changes. Favorite Quote: “The river runs through our veins. Through my peoples’ veins.”

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I've read. One reading wasn't enough. The story of the importance of water, and as the cover jacket notes "Inspired by the many Indigenous led movements across North American, this bold and lyrical picture book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard Earth's water from harm and corruption."Words cannot describe the beauty of the illustrations and the imperative message to save and care for water, our most precious element in the world.A black snake, illustrated in a monster-like fashion, has a mission to destroy and poison the water, a young girl is on a mission to fight to protect and defend water, our most precious resource.

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow what a story. It tells both the modern story of US indigenous people trying to stop oil pipelines from running across their tribal lands, but also of tribal tales passed down through the ages. It is completely wonderful.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The illustrations in this are gorgeous. It is not a wonder why it was chosen for the Caldecott award.

[zoes_human · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Vibrantly gorgeous illustrations accompany this own-voice story of an Anishinaabe/Metis girl who seeks to defend water from a black snake that threatens all of Earth and the life upon her. Appropriate for themes of water, environmentalism, activism, as well as lessons related to Indigenous-led social movements and the Dakota Access Pipeline. Suitable for ages 3 to 6.

[cay250 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

great illustration, I wanted it to provide ways in which people/kids can help support preserve the water

[villemezbrown · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A call to activism in support of a good cause is beautifully illustrated in this book exploring the environmental and spiritual reasons behind the Dakota Access Pipeline protests by the Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters.

[eo206 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a lovely book to share with children to introduce the importance of land, water, advocacy, and Native American sovereignty and environmentalism. The story has a link to the Dakota Acess Pipeline (DAPL) that was in the news several years ago. The illustrations are vibrant and convey the sense of urgency around water sovereignty. I hope this book is widely used in water-week conversations in schools and shared with children to talk about environmental activism.