Born in Minneapolis and raised on the Mille Lacs Reservation, Cheryl Minnema is a local author of children’s books. Minnema’s Ojibway name is Waabaanakwadookwe, which translates to White Cloud Woman in English. Her books focus on Ojibwe children. Besides writing, Minnema creates Ojibwe floral beadwork and nature photography. “Johnny and Grandma are in for a surprise when Grandma agrees to bring home a sleeping pheasant. Readers will delight at this lesson about patience and kindness and respect for nature, imparted by Grandma’s gentle humor, Johnny’s happy hooting, and all the quiet wisdom found in Cheryl Minnema’s stories of Native life and Julie Flett’s remarkably evocative and beautiful illustration.” In this first story of Johnny and his Grandma, which was a 2015 Native America Calling book club selection, Johnny is excited to eat at a community gathering but must learn patience as he waits his turn. Minnema has created a one of the Minnesota History Society’s Ed Kits – an Ojibwe Shoulder Bag Activity Kit, which educators can purchase to build on history lessons. The kit comes with shoulder bags with a pre-printed design created by Minnema for children to color and teacher resources. It is used throughout the United States to teach native culture and history. If you love reading with your kids and learning about local authors you can find more ideas in our BookHounds Family BookClub. This articles contains affiliate links to Amazon for books. Family Fun Twin Cities receives a small commission on sales through our site. Proceeds from ads and affiliate links helps keep FFTC’s services free to readers. Books by Cheryl Minnema
Johnny’s Pheasant
Hungry Johnny
Maple Sugar Moon
This book was created to be part of a 4th Grade Curriculum by McGraw Hill but is available through Amazon.
Minnesota History Society Ojibwe Shoulder Bag Activity Kit
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