BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Lindstrom, C. (2020). We are water protectors (M. Goade, Illus.). Roaring Book Press.  

ISBN 978-1250203557

PLOT SUMMARY 

We Are Water Protectors is a 2020 picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Written in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the book tells the story of an Ojibwe girl who fights against an oil pipeline to protect the water supply of her people. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

Lindstrom calls all of us to be good stewards of what we have been given. Because young children love animals, they can understand her call to protect “the ones who cannot fight for themselves. The winged ones, the crawling ones, the four-legged, the two-legged. . .” This is a great conversation starter with children to understand how important our Earth’s natural resources are to us.  

Goade’s use of the many shades of blue keep water in the forefront of our minds. The use of a contrasting orange and brown make the menacing “snake” look evil compared to the beauty of nature. The use of x-ray vision makes the “snake” even more deadly when the reader sees the bones of animals fleeing from the pipeline. The author has put her text perfectly in with the illustrations so that you don’t even notice the text. What you see are beautiful illustrations.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Kirkus Reviews (January 1, 2020) 

An inspiring call to action for all who care about our interconnected planet. 

School Library Journal (April 1, 2020) 

An accessible introduction to environmental issues combined with beautiful illustrations, this book will both educate and inspire youth. 

Horn Book (July/August 2020) 

The book opens with a young Indigenous girl collecting water with her grandmother, who tells her that “water is the first medicine.” 

CONNECTIONS 

  • A discussion with children about what makes a good steward of our natural resources and how we can go about protecting our Earth. 
  • Look into how the author describes the water as compared to the words that are used to describe the pipeline. 
  • Where are some other places on Earth where water is not being taken care of?  
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