Chooch Helped

Chooch Helped introduces readers to Sissy, a Cherokee girl, and her energetic younger brother, Chooch. Sissy often finds Chooch's attempts to 'help' with activities like painting murals, making grape dumplings, or crafting pottery to be more disruptive than useful, leading to her frustration. However, their parents gently remind her that Chooch learns by watching and that Sissy is one of his most important teachers. The story beautifully culminates in a tender moment during a crawdad gigging expedition, where Sissy begins to see Chooch's contributions in a new light. This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book gracefully portrays universal sibling dynamics within the rich context of contemporary Cherokee family life and traditions, making it perfect for families welcoming new children or navigating sibling relationships.

A Cherokee girl introduces her younger brother to their family's traditions — begrudgingly! — in this Caldecott Medal winning picture book written by Walter Award-winner Andrea L. Rogers and featuring gorgeous collage illustrations from debut artist Rebecca Lee Kunz. Sissy’s younger brother, Chooch, isn’t a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does — even if he’s messing something up! Which is basically all the time! — their parents say he’s just “helping.” Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When Oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps . . . “Hesdi!” Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold. Chooch Helped is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, told with grace by Andrea L. Rogers and stunning art from Rebecca Lee Kunz showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions. Also Available in Spanish! P R A I S E ★ “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.” —Kirkus (starred) ★ “Kunz’s phenomenal illustrations bring a cleverly spare text to being... Gorgeous and heartfelt in its simplicity, this book deserves a spot on the shelf alongside Goade’s Berry Song and Flett’s We All Play.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred) ★ “Tender... powerful.” —Publishers Weekly (starred) "[Chooch Helped] 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." —The Horn Book “The artwork is warm and flushed, almost like a heart pulsing from the warmth of inclusion and support... 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." —School Library Journal “Siblings everywhere will recognize themselves in this universal story of family dynamics... A warm, welcome addition to a growing body of work portraying contemporary Native families celebrating their heritage and living full, multidimensional lives." —Booklist BEST OF THE YEAR Kirkus • Cooperative Children's Book Center