Chooch Helped

A Modern Cherokee Picture Book

A Cherokee girl introduces her younger brother to their family’s traditions – begrudgingly! – in this picture book written by Walter Award-winner Andrea L. Rogers and featuring gorgeous collage illustrations from debut artist Rebecca Lee Kunz.

Sissy’s younger brother, Chooch, isn’t a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does – even if he’s messing something up! Which is basically all the time! – their parents say he’s just “helping.” Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything!

When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When Oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps . . .

“Hlesdi!” Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold. Chooch Helped is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, told with grace by Andrea L. Rogers and stunning art from Rebecca Lee Kunz showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions.

Published by: Levine Querido, 2024

AWARDS:

Randolph Caldecott Medal

Reviews:

★ “Author Rogers and illustrator Kunz, both members of the Cherokee Nation, portray Sissy’s older sisterhood with tenderness; illuminating backmatter explains the links between the story and the creators’ own heritage. The touching narrative and its universal lesson are brought to life through Kunz’s powerful images, which make stunning use of collage to illustrate the children’s rich familial and cultural webs. Readers’ hearts will be warmed by Sissy and Chooch’s relationship and by the moving representation of Cherokee traditions…. [a] beautiful sibling story.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Tender… powerful.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “Kunz’s phenomenal illustrations bring a cleverly spare text to being… Gorgeous and heartfelt in its simplicity, this book deserves a spot on the shelf alongside Goade’s Berry Song and Flett’s We All Play.”
—Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, starred review

“[Chooch Helped] highlights the joys and challenges that many older siblings face as the baby of the family grows up and begins to mimic them. Kunz’s striking mixed-media art complements this loving family story.”
—Horn Book,

“The artwork is warm and flushed, almost like a heart pulsing from the warmth of inclusion and support… This recommended story reminds readers how they could lead by example for those who are curious and want to also be included in the joys of life, be it miniscule chores or creating art.”
—School Library Journal

“Siblings everywhere will recognize themselves in this universal story of family dynamics… A warm, welcome addition to a growing body of work portraying contemporary Native families celebrating their heritage and living full, multidimensional lives.”
—Booklist