Little Moons
Following the loss of her older sister, grieving thirteen-year-old Reanna finds solace and strength in her family's Ojibwe traditions.
Themes: Grief, Ojibwe traditions, familial ties
Photo Source: CBC
About the Author
Jen Storm (she/her/hers) is an Ojibwe writer from Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. She lives and raises her family, which includes her son, River, and stepson, Axel, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jen completed Deadly Loyalties, her first novel, at age fourteen and has continued writing ever since,"
-Bio taken from Portage and Main Press
About the Illustrator(s)
"Ryan Howe (he/him/his) is a Canadian cartoonist who fell in love with comics’ unique storytelling language at some point earlier than he can remember, and has been hooked ever since. He’s been collaborating with other comics creators since 2003, providing art for various projects and genres on both the web and in print,"
-Bio taken from Portage and Main Press
Photo Source: Soaring Penguin Press
Photo Source: Comics Kingdom
"Nickolej Villiger (he/him/his) is a comic book artist and illustrator. Nickolej is also a musician and has composed, produced, and arranged for video games and film. Dedicated to his family and fans of his work, he is most fulfilled when creating something that is uniquely his own. Nickolej lives and works in Lethbridge, Alberta,"
-Bio taken from Portage and Main Press
"Alice RL (they/them/their) is a professional illustrator and art teacher based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a non-binary Ojibwe artist, Alice draws inspiration from their life experiences and cultural teachings. Alice blends these inspirations with a signature palette of bright, playful hues to create stunning juxtapositions of human brutality and emotion with hope and whimsy,"
-Bio taken from Portage and Main Press
Photo Source: PechaKucha
Our Honored Guest
Photo Source: Valerie Ross Zhawendaagozikwe
Valerie Ross Zhawendaagozikwe
Ross Zhawendaagozikwe is Coast Salish/Duwamish, Ojibwe, and Dakota who grew up between the ocean and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest.
Ross is an enrolled member of Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of Washington State and is an enrolled member of Long Plain First Nation, Treaty 1, Manitoba, Canada, and Descendant of the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior.
Discussion Questions
Reanna takes up beading and dances in her sister’s regalia in order to feel closer to her sister. Why do you think she chose those specific activities?
In this graphic novel, words are limited and the story is largely reliant on images to tell the story. How do the artists utilize their drawings to tell the story? Did any panels stand out to you?
Reanna’s mom leaves for the city after Chelsea goes missing. Why do you think she left? Will she come back to the reservation like it is alluded to at the end of the book?
What did you think of the mom’s boyfriend? Why do you think he was introduced as a character?
Photo Source: Little Moons
Learning Activities
Photo Source: Little Moons
What are the clues to Chelsea’s spirit still being present throughout the book? Can you spot them?
How would you create a story that largely uses images and only a few words? What would change in your story telling process?
What are the ways the family struggles not only through their own grief, but attempt to help others? How would you help someone through grief?
Explore More
Learn more about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement from Native Hope here.
Learn more about the importance of hair in Anishinaabe culture, and the role of hair in times of grief and mourning in this article from Andrea Landry.
Photo Source: Little Moons
Do you want to learn even more words in Ojibwe? Visit the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary online!
