2025 Caldecott Medal Winner

Chooch Helped

I’ve previously shared this picture book but think it’s worth sharing again, especially since my library hold for a copy finally came in. It’s been very difficult to obtain a copy from the library and bookstore.

2025 Winner of the Caldecott Medal

Chooch Helped written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz is the story of a toddler, called Chooch, short for a-chuja, the Cherokee word for son/boy, how he helps those around him, and his older sister, Sissy, as she adjusts to having a younger sibling. Rogers and Kunz are an author and illustrator team who are Cherokee citizens. Back matter includes an interesting author’s note, that explains her family traditions and cultural connections within the story. Together the duo weave together a delightfully straightforward story., layered with cultural references Kunz is a first time illustrator who uses collage to beautifully illustrate Roger’s tale of contemporary, Cherokee life.
From the author’s note,

“Throughout the story, the people around Chooch are doing things related to their culture. Native people exist in contemporary life, practicing our culture and remembering our history. We are not trapped in the past.”

Chooch Helped is an essential picture book that should be a part of any library collection and is splendid for sharing with children who have young siblings. It’s a perfect story to represent Cherokee family life. Highly recommended