A magical mirror helps a young girl understand her true beauty in this new picture book from the creators of Nibi’s Water Song.

When Challa comes home in tears after being teased about her smile, her mom gives her a special gift. It’s a magic mirror — shiny, beaded and beautiful — passed on from her mom, and from her djo djo before her.

Challa’s mom tells her that when anyone looks into the mirror, they will see their true self. There’s just one rule: Everyone has to say what they see in the reflection.

At first the mirror seems to work for everyone but her. Challa keeps looking and looking. The more beauty she sees in herself, the happier she feels, and the longer she looks into the mirror, the more beauty she sees, until finally Challa sees so much beauty, she can't contain her smile!

This special story, from award-winning activist Sunshine Quem Tenasco and artist Chief Lady Bird, introduces readers to concepts of self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and recognition of the unique beauty that comes from within.

CHIEF LADY BIRD est une artiste Chippewa et Potawatomi des Premières Nations Rama et Moosedeer Point qui est basée à Toronto. Elle défie constamment les idées préconçues envers les peuples autochtones en chapeautant des initiatives d’art urbain, des ateliers communautaires, des projets d’illustration digitale et des techniques d’art mixtes. Elle est connue pour ses murales partout sur l’île de la Tortue. Elle signe les illustrations des albums jeunesse Nibi a soif, très soif et Un si beau sourire.

CHIEF LADY BIRD is a Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation. The first artist to create an emoji for Twitter for Indigenous Peoples Day/Indigenous History Month, she uses digital illustration, mixed-media work, street art/murals, and community-based workshops, to centre contemporary truths and envision Indigenous Futurisms. She is the illustrator of Nibi's Water Song and Smile So Big.You can find her online as @chiefladybird.

Sunshine Quem Tenasco's profile page

• Long-listed, First Nation Communities READ Award
• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre