A quiet, gentle story about a family working together written in Cree and English.

A young child, her grandmother and mother are going out to pick wild yarrow. As Grandmother gets ready, the child and her mom wait. Grandmother leads the way to the field of blossoms, where they can finally start to pick … only now they have to wait for Mom!

The simple story, written in Cree and English and accompanied by rich acrylic illustrations, shows the patience, love and humor involved as three generations accommodate one another on a family outing. nipêhon / I Wait was translated by Leona Morin-Neilson, who was the inspiration for the book.

This companion volume to Niwechihaw / I Help includes a recipe for yarrow tea, known for its refreshing and soothing effects.

Key Text Features
recipe
author’s note

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

CAITLIN DALE NICHOLSON is a graduate of the First Nations Studies program at the University of Northern British Columbia. Her family and Leona Morin-Neilson’s family have been close friends for many years, and Caitlin continues to learn about traditional plant medicines from Leona. Caitlin has written and illustrated the first two books in the Nôhkom series — niwîcihâw / I Help and nipêhon / I Wait. She is currently living with her family in Tahltan Territory in northern British Columbia.

Caitlin Dale Nicholson's profile page

LEONA MORIN-NEILSON teaches Cree at the “Power of Friendship” Aboriginial Headstart program in Prince George, British Columbia, and at the University of Northern British Columbia. She also teaches people in her community about traditional plants and how they can be used for medicinal purposes.

Leona Morin-Neilson's profile page

• Commended, Kirkus Best Picture Books

Warm acrylic illustrations express the sense of peace and pleasure of time spent together conveyed by the text, which is punctuated with playful humor.

International Literacy Association

A quiet, gentle picture book about a contemporary First Nations family and their ties to one another, their heritage, and their homeland.

Kirkus Reviews

I Wait is a thoughtful story that captures important teachable moments in a child’s life, moments that impart knowledge, strengthen family bonds and build character.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

The acrylic illustrations are the work of Caitlin Dale Nicholson who ensures accuracy and reality while going beyond true likeness and sharing the feel of the people and the place. The patience and connection between the three generations is palpable, even as they work separately and seemingly silently.

CanLit for Little Canadians Blog