The Ones Who Came Before, (Hardcover)

<p><b>A Native American "city kid" explores the idea of belonging and "who came first" after a surprising encounter with a country bear, from the award-winning author of <i>Fry Bread</i>. </b></p><p>Every year, Aabanya visits her grandfather Big Jimmy at his cottage on Early Mountain. </p><p> During the day, they gather corn, beans, and squash to make stew. In the evenings, Aabanya listens to her grandfather's tales of the mountain and of Turtle Island. </p><p> When they venture into town, Aabanya feels out of place. The Earlies, a family who named Early Mountain generations ago, seem to look at her with questions in their eyes. </p><p> <i>Who are you? Where are you from? Why are you here?</i> </p><p> Her grandfather tells Aabanya that these are the very same questions her family and their people asked when the Earlies first came. </p><p> One night, Aabanya wakes to a scratch at her window and discovers... a bear! Fearful, she runs to her grandfather, who helps her remember that the bears... are <i>the ones who came before</i>. </p><p>Interwoven with indigenous concepts about land and the natural world, <i>Fry Bread</i> author Kevin Maillard's thought-provoking story and artist Sibu T. P.'s rich, vibrant illustrations come together in this contemplation of heritage, ancestry, sharing space, and belonging.</p>

• The Ones Who Came Before, (Hardcover)
• Author: Roaring Brook Press
• ISBN: 9781250821966
• Format: Hardcover
• Publication Date: 2026-10-13
• Page Count: 40