{"id":9374122311917,"title":"Gabriel's Winter Count","handle":"gabriels-winter-count","description":"\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels_winter_count_page_graphic.jpg?v=1779888339\" alt=\"We share our stories to stay connected. No matter how far apart we are.\"\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eComing October 6. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/andrea-m-page\"\u003eAndrea M. Page\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alfreda-beartrack-algeo\"\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWe are never alone in our tiyospaye.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGabriel's parents are leaving to serve, and he will stay with his grandmother, his unci. When Gabriel forgets to give his parents a parting gift, an important tradition in their Lakota family, he is bereft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut then he learns about winter counts from Unci, and as they wait out the long months for Mama and Daddy to return, he becomes the keeper of the winter count in their family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Memory of Author Andrea M. Page\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"max-width: 200px; float: left; margin: 10px;\" alt=\"Andrea M. Page photo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/andrea-page-photo.jpg?v=1779885839\"\u003eAndrea M. Page was an enrolled citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North and South Dakota. Andrea belonged to a large family, lived in upstate New York all her life, and was fortunate to travel often and experience different cultures. She wrote about untold stories and people who inspire, and she hoped that her work sparks commitment in others to make the world a better place. She was the author of \u003cem\u003eWho Was Wilma Mankiller? \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eSioux Code Talkers of World War II.\u003c\/em\u003e She sadly didn’t live to see the publication of \u003ci\u003eGabriel's Winter Count\u003c\/i\u003e, but she reviewed the final printer proofs. Andrea’s memory is a blessing to all who knew her. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/powwow-day\"\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/forever-cousins\"\u003eForever Cousins\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcome-home-esmerelda\"\u003eWelcome Home, Esmerelda\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-spread.jpg?v=1779117731\" alt=\"spread from 'Gabriel's Winter Count' of Gabriel's grandma telling him about a meteor shower remembered in their family history\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731\" alt=\"Book cover of 'Gabriel's Winter Count' with a boy drawing on a table.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1779117734\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-activity-guide.pdf?v=1785764404\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrea M. Page, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrea M. Page was an enrolled citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North and South Dakota. Andrea belonged to a large family, lived in upstate New York all her life, and was fortunate to travel often and experience different cultures. She wrote about untold stories and people who inspire, and she hoped that her work sparks commitment in others to make the world a better place. She was the author of \u003ci\u003eWho Was Wilma Mankiller?\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSioux Code Talkers of World War II\u003c\/i\u003e. She sadly didn’t live to see the publication of this book, but she reviewed the final printer proofs. Andrea’s memory is a blessing to all who knew her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/andrea-page\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Andrea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo is a proud enrolled member of the Kul Wicasa Tribe of the Oceti Sakowin Nation (Sioux) in South Dakota and is dedicated to her family and community. Her work is showcased in numerous private collections, museums, and galleries. Alfreda has authored and illustrated several children’s books, including \u003ci\u003eThe Day the Earth Rose Up\u003c\/i\u003e, selected by the Wyoming Humanities Council to represent the state at the Library of Congress in 2023; \u003ci\u003eFather Eagle and the Hunter; Halhata na Thathanka \/ Magpie and Buffalo; Bear Heart and the Evergreen Tree; and The Cottonwood Sings\u003c\/i\u003e. Alfreda lives in Palisade, Colorado, where she makes art and manages her small fruit farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alfreda-beartrack-algeo\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Alfreda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis gentle and beautiful book teaches Lakota values in a way that is ¬specific to the story but grounded in themes universal to all children. When Gabriel’s parents leave home for service—Dad ¬appears in military garb while Mom wears a wildland firefighter uniform—he worries that he didn’t bring a gift to mark their departure. His unci reassures her grandchild that he will find the right gift with time; in the morning, she shares with him the tradition of creating an illustrated calendar marking one’s family’s milestones called a waniyetu wowapi or winter count. While his parents are way, Gabriel draws his everyday life into his own winter count, including basketball games, birthday parties, and preparing wooden lodge poles. Pastel illustrations set realistic images of Gabriel and his family against backgrounds that feature patterns, symbols, and historical imagery drawn from Gabriel’s family’s historic winter count. Gabriel shares his winter count with his parents when they return; their reunion is sweet and satisfying. Rich back matter enhances the impact and understanding of this family story. It includes information about the People of the Seven Council Fires, winter counts, meteor showers (a historic shower from 1833 was noted in Gabriel’s family’s winter count), and Native Americans who serve. A glossary of Lakota words and letters from the author and illustrator are also present. VERDICT Readers will feel the love of family in this book about drawing on powerful cultural traditions to cope with family separation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhile his parents are away, a young Indigenous boy passes the time by learning about a Lakota tradition.\u003cbr\u003e\nGabriel’s father is serving in the military, and his mother is training in fire management, so Gabriel will be staying with his Unci (grandmother). He feels lonely without his parents. One night he observes Unci tracing over an unrolled bundle and talking about “1833—the year the stars fell.” The next day, Gabriel asks what she was doing, and she tells him about the waniyetu wowapi, or winter count, that her Lala (Grandfather) made. This illustrated calendar uses symbols to track important events that happened in their family. Inspired, Gabriel begins making one of his own, a collection of stories and history to share. Gabriel’s winter count is full of memories of playing baseball with cousins, celebrating a birthday, working on new lodge poles, and listening to elders tell stories. With this tender tale, Page (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) celebrates the experience of preserving and telling stories and history both personal and communal. Beartrack-Algeo’s (Oceti Sakowin Nation) illustrations are full of vibrant colors alongside the gentle warmth of pink and purple skies. The images from the winter count swirl beautifully from page to page, a visual representation of events and memories held in the minds of those who share and tell them.\u003cbr\u003e \nA meaningful tribute to the power and importance of story. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-768-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4–7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e8 x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: October 6, 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2026-06-09T12:29:35-04:00","created_at":"2026-05-20T09:38:37-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Art\/Music\/Theater","Browse by Subject_Diversity"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":49994760126701,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"47684","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":48458345709805,"product_id":9374122311917,"position":1,"created_at":"2026-05-18T11:22:09-04:00","updated_at":"2026-05-18T11:22:11-04:00","alt":"Book cover of 'Gabriel's Winter Count' with a boy drawing on a table.","width":600,"height":750,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731","variant_ids":[49994760126701]},"available":true,"name":"Gabriel's Winter Count - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":9,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623547684","featured_media":{"alt":"Book cover of 'Gabriel's Winter Count' with a boy drawing on a table.","id":39955271745773,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.8,"height":750,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Book cover of 'Gabriel's Winter Count' with a boy drawing on a table.","id":39955271745773,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.8,"height":750,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731"},"aspect_ratio":0.8,"height":750,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels_winter_count_page_graphic.jpg?v=1779888339\" alt=\"We share our stories to stay connected. No matter how far apart we are.\"\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eComing October 6. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/andrea-m-page\"\u003eAndrea M. Page\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alfreda-beartrack-algeo\"\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWe are never alone in our tiyospaye.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGabriel's parents are leaving to serve, and he will stay with his grandmother, his unci. When Gabriel forgets to give his parents a parting gift, an important tradition in their Lakota family, he is bereft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut then he learns about winter counts from Unci, and as they wait out the long months for Mama and Daddy to return, he becomes the keeper of the winter count in their family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Memory of Author Andrea M. Page\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"max-width: 200px; float: left; margin: 10px;\" alt=\"Andrea M. Page photo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/andrea-page-photo.jpg?v=1779885839\"\u003eAndrea M. Page was an enrolled citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North and South Dakota. Andrea belonged to a large family, lived in upstate New York all her life, and was fortunate to travel often and experience different cultures. She wrote about untold stories and people who inspire, and she hoped that her work sparks commitment in others to make the world a better place. She was the author of \u003cem\u003eWho Was Wilma Mankiller? \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eSioux Code Talkers of World War II.\u003c\/em\u003e She sadly didn’t live to see the publication of \u003ci\u003eGabriel's Winter Count\u003c\/i\u003e, but she reviewed the final printer proofs. Andrea’s memory is a blessing to all who knew her. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/powwow-day\"\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/forever-cousins\"\u003eForever Cousins\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcome-home-esmerelda\"\u003eWelcome Home, Esmerelda\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-spread.jpg?v=1779117731\" alt=\"spread from 'Gabriel's Winter Count' of Gabriel's grandma telling him about a meteor shower remembered in their family history\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover.jpg?v=1779117731\" alt=\"Book cover of 'Gabriel's Winter Count' with a boy drawing on a table.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1779117734\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabriels-winter-count-activity-guide.pdf?v=1785764404\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrea M. Page, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrea M. Page was an enrolled citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North and South Dakota. Andrea belonged to a large family, lived in upstate New York all her life, and was fortunate to travel often and experience different cultures. She wrote about untold stories and people who inspire, and she hoped that her work sparks commitment in others to make the world a better place. She was the author of \u003ci\u003eWho Was Wilma Mankiller?\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSioux Code Talkers of World War II\u003c\/i\u003e. She sadly didn’t live to see the publication of this book, but she reviewed the final printer proofs. Andrea’s memory is a blessing to all who knew her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/andrea-page\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Andrea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfreda Beartrack Algeo is a proud enrolled member of the Kul Wicasa Tribe of the Oceti Sakowin Nation (Sioux) in South Dakota and is dedicated to her family and community. Her work is showcased in numerous private collections, museums, and galleries. Alfreda has authored and illustrated several children’s books, including \u003ci\u003eThe Day the Earth Rose Up\u003c\/i\u003e, selected by the Wyoming Humanities Council to represent the state at the Library of Congress in 2023; \u003ci\u003eFather Eagle and the Hunter; Halhata na Thathanka \/ Magpie and Buffalo; Bear Heart and the Evergreen Tree; and The Cottonwood Sings\u003c\/i\u003e. Alfreda lives in Palisade, Colorado, where she makes art and manages her small fruit farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alfreda-beartrack-algeo\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Alfreda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis gentle and beautiful book teaches Lakota values in a way that is ¬specific to the story but grounded in themes universal to all children. When Gabriel’s parents leave home for service—Dad ¬appears in military garb while Mom wears a wildland firefighter uniform—he worries that he didn’t bring a gift to mark their departure. His unci reassures her grandchild that he will find the right gift with time; in the morning, she shares with him the tradition of creating an illustrated calendar marking one’s family’s milestones called a waniyetu wowapi or winter count. While his parents are way, Gabriel draws his everyday life into his own winter count, including basketball games, birthday parties, and preparing wooden lodge poles. Pastel illustrations set realistic images of Gabriel and his family against backgrounds that feature patterns, symbols, and historical imagery drawn from Gabriel’s family’s historic winter count. Gabriel shares his winter count with his parents when they return; their reunion is sweet and satisfying. Rich back matter enhances the impact and understanding of this family story. It includes information about the People of the Seven Council Fires, winter counts, meteor showers (a historic shower from 1833 was noted in Gabriel’s family’s winter count), and Native Americans who serve. A glossary of Lakota words and letters from the author and illustrator are also present. VERDICT Readers will feel the love of family in this book about drawing on powerful cultural traditions to cope with family separation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhile his parents are away, a young Indigenous boy passes the time by learning about a Lakota tradition.\u003cbr\u003e\nGabriel’s father is serving in the military, and his mother is training in fire management, so Gabriel will be staying with his Unci (grandmother). He feels lonely without his parents. One night he observes Unci tracing over an unrolled bundle and talking about “1833—the year the stars fell.” The next day, Gabriel asks what she was doing, and she tells him about the waniyetu wowapi, or winter count, that her Lala (Grandfather) made. This illustrated calendar uses symbols to track important events that happened in their family. Inspired, Gabriel begins making one of his own, a collection of stories and history to share. Gabriel’s winter count is full of memories of playing baseball with cousins, celebrating a birthday, working on new lodge poles, and listening to elders tell stories. With this tender tale, Page (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) celebrates the experience of preserving and telling stories and history both personal and communal. Beartrack-Algeo’s (Oceti Sakowin Nation) illustrations are full of vibrant colors alongside the gentle warmth of pink and purple skies. The images from the winter count swirl beautifully from page to page, a visual representation of events and memories held in the minds of those who share and tell them.\u003cbr\u003e \nA meaningful tribute to the power and importance of story. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-768-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4–7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e8 x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: October 6, 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}