Close-up scenes introduce this wildlife species.

In late afternoon the muskrats come out to swim, dive, and eat green water weeds.

*Notable Books For Children - Smithsonian* *Skipping Stones Book Award for Exceptional Multicultural and Nature/Ecology Books* *Wordcraft Circle Writer of the Year (Prose - Children's Literature)* *Wordcraft Circle Mentor of the Year* Although Jeannie loves her lakeside neighborhood, her feelings are hurt by her schoolmates who live in fancier homes and call her a Lake Rat. When she confides her troubles to her grandfather, he tells her about his own childhood experiences with teasing. As the story unfolds, the grandfather shares a traditional Seneca story that helps Jeannie to find strength in her Native identity and a new appreciation for the different roles that animals play in nature. This is a quiet book that celebrates family and place and the teachings of Native people. Muskrat Will Be Swimming is based on a real incident in Cheryl Savageau's life. Muskrat Will Be Swimming will help inspire classroom conversations about: Teasing and bullying Storytelling traditions and customs in Native and non-Native families The Seneca creation story and creation stories in general Traditions of the Sky Woman in Native stories Contemporary Native American families and building connections to tribal identity Native identity and mixed-blood ancestry Significance of dreams in Native culture The role of animals as teachers in Abenaki culture Animals of the forest The Abenaki view towards the natural environment The value of experiences in the natural world for children's growth F&P Text Level R

Muskrat discovers she is expecting baby muskrats. She is very excited! However, the more she thinks about it the more she FREAKS OUT! She looks to her animal mother friends for advice on how to take care of babies.

When the Smiling Pool and Laughing Brook dry up one day, Jerry Muskrat and the other forest animals set out to find the cause.

"Windy Lake is a fictional First Nation in the midst of the boreal forest and a connection of lakes and rivers. The community is conflicted over a nearby mine, which has the support of the Chief and Council, but is a source of concern for First Nation families connected to the land. As part of the agreement with the community, the mine must do an archeological assessment of any new land they disturb. Unfortunately, soon after his arrival, the old archeologist goes missing. It's a perfect case for The Mighty Muskrats, a group of cousins: Sam, Chickadee, Otter and Atim who use the mysteries they come across to explore their community, their culture, the land and its history."--