Grandpa says circles are all around us. He points to the rainbow that rises high in the sky after a thundercloud has come. “Can you see? That’s only half of the circle. That rest of it is down below, in the earth.” He and his granddaughter meditate on gardens and seeds, on circles seen and unseen, inside and outside us, on where our bodies come from and where they return to. They share and create family traditions in this stunning exploration of the cycles of life and nature.

(2017, hardcover, 32 pages, preschool-2, 3-7 years, Native American)

Staff Member Review

I enjoyed All Around Us, written by Native American author Selena Gonzalez. It is a beautiful children’s book that makes it really simple to help kids understand the world we live in through the deep sense of connection to nature, family, and culture often found in tribal traditions. The story talks about how everything in life is connected—family, nature, and the things we do. With soft and colorful pictures, the author shows how we are all part of something bigger, like the changing seasons or the circle of life. The story made me think about the love we share with others and how, even when things change, something always stays the same.

This book is a great choice for those looking to talk about love, nature, or family with children, as well as for anyone who enjoys thoughtful and gentle stories in such a way that also very much so embraces and highlights how Native American communities have done it for centuries.

Author: Xelena Gonzalez
ISBN: 978-1-941026-76-2
Count: 1