An enchanting children's story about a little mud duck who wanted to be a handsome Plains Cree dancer, and how the Cree helped him be happy with himself as a duck. The little mud duck would fly over the Cree camp and observe the people. One day he decided to dress up like a Cree dancer and walk to the camp. When he is ignored by the dancers, the lonely duck returns to his pond and finds that, with the company of other mud ducks, he can be content with who he is. The Little Duck is a universal story that crosses cultural boundaries and leaves one with a lesson on the importance of self-worth.

Beth Cuthand is a Cree author who grew up in Saskatchewan and Alberta. She taught at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina (now known as First Nations University) from 1986 to 1992. Before teaching, she worked as a journalist for sixteen years. Beth also earned a masterâ??s degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona.Her short stories and poems have been published in magazines and anthologies. Two volumes of her poetry appeared as separate monographs: Horse Dance to Emerald Mountain (1987) and Voices in the Waterfall (1989; revised 2008). Beth also wrote The Little Duck Sikihpsis. Both Voices in the Waterfall and The Little Duck Sikihpsis are published by Theytus.

Beth Cuthand's profile page

Stan Cuthand is an elder of the Little Pine First Nation. He was an Anglican priest for 25 years. Upon his retirement from the active priesthood, he taught Cree at the University of Regina moving to University of Manitoba where he taught Native Studies until his next retirement at the age of 65. He then moved to Saskatoon where he taught at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College for 15 years. He spent 25 years translating the Bible into Cree with the help of a committee of Cree speakers. During his long life Stan Cuthand has told many stories both historical and â??long agoâ? of which The Little Duck is one.

Stan Cuthand's profile page

Mary Longman Aski-Piyesiwiskwew is a renowned Saulteaux visual artist from the Gordon Band near Punnichy, Saskatchewan. Her work has been exhibited in such venues as The National Art Gallery and The Museum of Civilization. She has a degree from The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and a Masters degree from The Nova Scotia College of Art. She is currently a Ph.D Candidate in Art Education at the University of Victoria.

Mary Longman's profile page

Theytus Books is establishing an admirable reputation as a leading publisher of quality First Nation books for young readers. The Little Duck Sikihpsis is a worthy addition to the Theytus collection. The Little Duck Sikihpsis is essentially a Cree Ugly Duckling story, and it will appeal to young children and their parents.

Little Duck lives all alone in a muddy swamp close to a camp of Plains Cree People. When he observes the Crees' beauty and grace, the lonely duck decides he would like to be a Plains Cree dancer. He decorates himself, weaving bright green leaves into a wreath to wear as a headdress. The little duck also ties cattail leaves to his tail feathers and paints his face and chest with clay and salt. "If he couldn't be tall, at least he could be handsome," the little duck figures. Unfortunately, when the duck begins to dance, he constantly finds himself trampled beneath the feet of the other dancers. "I'll never be a Cree," the little duck cries. "I'll always be lonely."

The Little Duck Sikihpsis is an engaging story with almost universal appeal. Because the desire to fit in with one's surrounds is of importance to most people, the story transcends cultural boundaries and should not be thought of as being a story only for First Nation People. Rather, regardless of our cultural backgrounds, the book contains the important message that we should be striving to improve our sense of self-worth.

The Little Duck Sikihpsis was originally published in 1999. I am delighted that Theytus has provided the book for CM review because it is a quality publication. The book won a 2007 IP: Independent Publisher Book Award bronze medal and, in my opinion, is worthy of such recognition and acclaim.

Canadian Material Volume XIV Number 12 February 8, 2008