Chooch Helped

Starred review from August 1, 2024
A young Indigenous girl attempts to get along with her infuriating little brother. Sissy has a mischievous 2-year-old brother called Chooch--an affectionate nickname based on the Cherokee word forboy orson. No matter what the usdi (baby) does, he "just gets away with everything"--from painting streaks through Elisi's mural to making a mess of Edutsi's grape dumpling flour. Each transgression is followed by the same refrain: "Chooch helped." Sissy has less tolerance for her brother's "assistance," and the last straw comes when Chooch damages her clay pot. After the fed-up narrator screams at the little boy, her parents yell at her, bringing the beleaguered sister to tears. But Chooch shows up to do what he always does--with his arms around a sobbing Sissy, "Chooch [helps]." Sissy comes to understand that young children learn by watching others and that her patience helps Chooch grow. Author Rogers and illustrator Kunz, both members of the Cherokee Nation, portray Sissy's older sisterhood with tenderness; illuminating backmatter explains the links between the story and the creators' own heritage. The touching narrative and its universal lesson are brought to life through Kunz's powerful images, which make stunning use of collage to illustrate the children's rich familial and cultural webs. Readers' hearts will be warmed by Sissy and Chooch's relationship and by the moving representation of Cherokee traditions. Native life and language are at the center of this beautiful sibling story. (author's and illustrator's notes, instructions for creating a pinch pot, glossary)(Picture book. 4-10)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2024

K-Gr 4-Little brother Chooch (atsutsa, pronounced a-choo-ja, is the Cherokee word for boy) just wants to help his older family members and contribute in his own way. Whether it is helping with the grape dumplings, fixing the bikes, or assisting his big sister with constructing a clay pot, the sister's patience is tested as her little brother looks up to her, but doesn't perform tasks as well as she can. This story is a reminder that teachers were once students and to remember what it was like to be in the other person's shoes, yearning to learn from those you look up to. The artwork is warm and flushed, almost like a heart pulsing from the warmth of inclusion and support. In dynamic, shifting perspectives, the illustrations are laced with Cherokee imagery and design, accommodating the Cherokee vocabulary words, which are offered with a simple pronunciation breaking down the syllables. The daily activities where Chooch "helps" (readers will see how loosely defined that word is) are intentional choices that are connected to important events that impacted generations of Southeastern tribes. VERDICT This recommended story reminds readers how they could lead by example for those who are curious and want to also be included in the joys of life, be it miniscule chores or creating art. -Kaitlin Srader

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 Sissy notices two-year-old Chooch is always interfering and making a mess. Much to her dismay, the adults always say, "He's just usdi" (baby, young). Chooch "helps" patient family members sew moccasins, paint, and cook--but when his "help" ruins Sissy's clay pot, she loses her temper! Siblings everywhere will recognize themselves in this universal story of family dynamics. The author and illustrator, both citizens of the Cherokee Nation, deftly portray a modern Native family learning and growing together. Cherokee words (with pronunciations) move the story forward, often defined by context clues. The illustrations--collages in rich earth tones--include traditional woven and beaded motifs. Butterfly and broken arrow iconography symbolize the family's renewal and peace-making as Sissy ultimately embraces her role as one of Chooch's teachers. The back matter includes information about Cherokee culture and heritage, a glossary, and a guide to making pinch pots. A warm, welcome addition to a growing body of work portraying contemporary Native families celebrating their heritage and living full, multidimensional lives.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2024
Narrator Sissy's little brother Chooch is two and wants to help. When Elisi (grandmother) paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Etsi (mother) sews pucker-toe moccasins, he helps. When Etlogi (aunt) plants a garden, he helps. When he tries to help Sissy make a pinch pot, things do not go so well. Sissy yells, and Chooch cries. Sissy's parents remind her that "Chooch learns by watching. You're one of his most important teachers." This picture book by creators who are both citizens of the Cherokee Nation highlights the joys and challenges that many older siblings face as the baby of the family grows up and begins to mimic them. Kunz's striking mixed-media art complements this loving family story. In an author's note, Rogers refers to major events in Cherokee history that inspired the activities Sissy and her family engage in throughout the book. Kunz's artist's note discusses the Cherokee motifs and iconography used in the illustrations. End notes also include a glossary of the Cherokee vocabulary incorporated into the text and directions on how to make a pinch pot. Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 16, 2024
Two-year-old Chooch seeks to help everyone, often with disastrous results, in this tender familial picture book from Cherokee creators Rogers and Kunz. The child’s older sibling, Sissy, relates how “Chooch helped” as Elisi paints a mural, Etsi sews pucker-toe moccasins, and Edutsi makes grape dumplings, among other events. Delicately hued, layered mixed-media images that
utilize Cherokee iconography, meanwhile, reveal Chooch painting a line across the mural, tearing at the moccasin leather, and pouring flour onto the kitchen floor. When Sissy attempts to make a clay pot, and Chooch’s desire to help wreaks havoc with the project, emotions run high until, in response to Sissy’s tears, “Chooch helped.” A new understanding that Sissy, too, once made similar messes, and that “Chooch learns by watching. You’re one of his most important teachers,” produces a powerful turnaround—one that reveals the way familial roles change over time and across generations. Creators’ notes, pinch-pot instructions, and a Cherokee glossary conclude. Ages 4–8.

July 1, 2024
Narrator Sissy's little brother Chooch is two and wants to help. When Elisi (grandmother) paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Etsi (mother) sews pucker-toe moccasins, he helps. When Etlogi (aunt) plants a garden, he helps. When he tries to help Sissy make a pinch pot, things do not go so well. Sissy yells, and Chooch cries. Sissy's parents remind her that "Chooch learns by watching. You're one of his most important teachers." This picture book by creators who are both citizens of the Cherokee Nation highlights the joys and challenges that many older siblings face as the baby of the family grows up and begins to mimic them. Kunz's striking mixed-media art complements this loving family story. In an author's note, Rogers refers to major events in Cherokee history that inspired the activities Sissy and her family engage in throughout the book. Kunz's artist's note discusses the Cherokee motifs and iconography used in the illustrations. End notes also include a glossary of the Cherokee vocabulary incorporated into the text and directions on how to make a pinch pot.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)