The Animal People Choose a Leader

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Animal People Choose a Leader through D & M Kids. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Before people came into the world the animals could talk with each other.  They decided they needed a leader and so they sought one out!  Would the quickest be it?  What about the strongest?  Would quick wits be the answer? Just what makes a good leader anyways?  Perhaps the animals will discover the answer!

Basic Details for The Animal People Choose a Leader

Title: The Animal People Choose a Leader
Author: Richard Wagamese
Illustrator: Bridget George
Publisher: D & M Kids
Pages: 32
Intended Audience: 6-8 years
Genre: First Nations, Animals, Picture Book, Indigenous,
Available formats: hardcover, Kindle
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: D & M Kids

Author and Story

Richard Wagamese brings us into a world before humans walked on earth, a world where animals talk and make choices.  In this story they want a leader and set out to choose one. 

Richard Wagamese brings this story steeped in the culture of the Ojibway peoples.  Though Mr. Wagamese is no longer with us, he brings his story-telling talent to life in this story that emphasizes the true talents that leaders need.   He was an Ojibway member, a journalist living in Northwestern Ontario.  Interesting fact, when he was starting to reconnect to his cultural heritage he was told by an elder he was meant to tell stories.  And so he told stories.   Best known for his novel Indian Horse (which I read and found good), he has lived up to that calling.  

Looking more closely

This is not a simple picture book, but a meaty story destined to help children think through what a good leader is.   But it’s not so simple right? Is a good leader the one to takes their time in completing a challenge, one who offers encouragement, or one who commits fully to the challenge? 

Even if the answer seems obvious by the end of the book, I found qualities in many of the competitors that help make a good leader. So this story could lead to many a good discussion by elementary students.  (At least I’d like to be there for that discussion). 

Fantastic artwork fills the pages. Some pages illustrate wonderfully the indigenous nature of this story.  Other pages the illustrations flit around the edges, drawing us in to considering more of the story.  Can a horse really get trapped in brambles?  Or a wolverine struggle climbing a ridge, or the struggles that Cougar and Buffalo had be real?  Does rabbit even have a chance? What qualities of leadership will this race around the lake showcase?

The text is easy to read, but not really in the 6-8 year old reading level.  Doesn’t mean they couldn’t understand the story, but they’d be asking for help with a lot of the words.  You might also notice that of all the animals taking part in the race, only one has a name other than what type of animal it is.  Makes it rather obvious who to pay attention to eh? 

Recommendation?

I think that The Animal People Choose a Leader is well-worth reading.  I love the talking points found throughout, and the artwork is well done. Bridget George did a good job of bringing the work of Richard Wagamese to life.   Give it a read.  Share it with your classroom.  Discuss what ideas of leadership came up.  Get the teacher’s guide to assist you in leading discussions.