Going to Visit Kou-Kum

Kelly L. Green is editor of the Canadian Book Review Annual’s
Children’s Literature edition.

Tanis has never before gone to visit Kou-Kum (grandmother) by herself.
She sets off full of excitement but becomes nervous as she gets farther
from home. Soon she sees a frog and, remembering that the elders say
frogs are the devil’s toys, begins to be frightened. Then she sees a
big coyote and becomes even more frightened; but her desire to see
Kou-Kum drives her on. Finally she sees her grandmother coming to meet
her. Kou-Kum encourages Tanis to tell about her fear, and they spend a
wonderful day together talking, eating bannock and saskatoons, and
drinking muskeg tea.

Going to Visit Kou-Kum conveys a great deal about the life of a young
Native girl through its simple, gentle story. Children reading the book
will not only learn Cree words and traditions, but will also glimpse key
beliefs of Native culture. Donna Cameron’s muted, realistic drawings
complement the text nicely. Recommended.