It's time for berries by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki, illustrated by Tindur Peturs

As shown by the giant gap on my picture book shelf in the nature/seasons neighborhood, I simply cannot get enough seasonal books, specifically those that focus on fall. Every single preschool and elementary school class seems to be focused on the fall season, even as climate change is making the traditional fall season in the midwest look radically different from the past. No, I am NOT happy that it is NINETY DEGREES in September. Anyhow.

This celebration of Inuit culture and seasons makes a great read-aloud for any season, but will definitely fit my community's constant demands for fall-themed books. Siasi and Siloah, a blonde and brunette, visit their ningiuq, a smiling, grey-haired woman with brown skin. Each season has different experiences for them to share; In the spring they drive the snowmobile out and go fishing, in the summer it's time to dig clams. Each season the girls ask eagerly if it's time for berries yet, but Ningiuq says they're not ready yet and takes them on a different expedition. Finally, it's time to pick berries!

They climb the mountain and start picking. Through wind and rain, in the dark and the snow, "Ninqiuq will stop at nothing to get berries!" Finally, berry-picking season is over and it's time to bake and make jam with all their berries. The girls smile happily as they share the treats - and their love of berries.

Brief notes from the creators explain that the story is based on their own daughters and their life in Alaska. There is also a general guide to pronunciation with a resource for more accurate pronunciation included.

Verdict: While this is a great read-aloud for any season and children from many different cultures and backgrounds can enjoy the experiences of harvesting and collecting food with family, it's also a vitally important book for the culture it represents, to give them books that reflect their children's specific experiences. A must-have for most libraries, a book that is an exemplar of a window and a mirror.

ISBN: 9781772274653; Published September 2023 by Inhabit Media Inc.; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library