The Animal People Choose a Leader

Name: The Animal People Choose a Leader
Price: 44.95 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781771624183

A Richard Wagamese Storybook

Richard Wagamese, Bridget George

$44.95

Hardback

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English

Douglas & McIntyre
16 July 2025

General fiction (Children's&YA); People & places (Children's&YA)

For the first time, a children's book by renowned Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese! Book 1 in a new series, The Richard Wagamese Storybook Collection, with illustrations by the award-winning illustrator of Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior.

The Animal People Choose a Leader is the first book in a new series that brings the unmistakable voice of beloved author Richard Wagamese to children. This tradition-steeped story meditates on the unifying power of wisdom, kindness and respect. Wagamese's original fable is paired with glorious illustrations by award-winning Anishinaabe artist Bridget George.

race to determine the winner when they were joined by an unlikely contender: gentle, earnest Waabooz the rabbit.

During four eventful laps around a foreboding mountaintop lake, the competitors come to realize the limits of self-reliance and physical force. Along the way, they discover the power of humility, empathy and loving attachment to the land. Wagamese's powerful storytelling and George's evocative artwork bring this poignant tale to life with the piercing clarity and lyrical richness of all great fables.

By: Richard Wagamese
Illustrated by: Bridget George
Imprint: Douglas & McIntyre
Country of Publication: Canada
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 260mm,
ISBN: 9781771624183
ISBN 10: 1771624183
Pages: 32
Publication Date: 16 July 2025
Recommended Age: From 6 to 8 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Richard Wagamese, an Ojibwe from the Wabaseemoong First Nation, was one of North America's foremost Indigenous writers. His bestselling novels include Indian Horse, which earned an array of awards and was made into a feature film. He was also the author of highly praised works such as Embers and One Story, One Song, winner of the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature. Wagamese was recognized with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Matt Cohen Award. He died in 2017 in Kamloops, British Columbia. Bridget George is an Anishinaabe author-illustrator and graphic designer. She is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard winner and Jane Addams Book Award finalist for Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior (Roaring Brook Press) by New York Times bestselling author Carole Lindstrom. George is the author-illustrator of It’s a Mitig! (D&M Kids), an acclaimed introduction to the Ojibwe language for young readers. She was raised on the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and now lives in London, Ontario.

Reviews for The Animal People Choose a Leader: A Richard Wagamese Storybook

“This original story by Ojibwe author Wagamese is told alongside breathtaking layered illustrations. Anishinaabe illustrator George's intricate, enchanting art invites the reader further into the story...every page shines with thoughtful design. Independent readers will enjoy sitting and spending time with this one, and younger ones will delight in hearing it read aloud. A timeless, universal message held within a heart-filling tale."" –Booklist, starred review