Common Sense Media Review
A girl's moving exploration of Native land acknowledgment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THIS LAND provides an entry point for children to learn about Indigenous history and the people living in America long before today. Told through the eyes of a young, unnamed girl, the story follows her friendly interactions with an Indigenous friend and his grandma and her experiences learning a traditional song and taking a road trip with her family through other lands. The story celebrates tribes, their history, and connection to the land. Forced removal is acknowledged and provided through a lens of community healing and thriving. The end pages provide resources for learning more.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet book is as hospitable and warm as Noko, the grandma who befriends a young girl and sparks her curiosity. Ashley Fairbanks' tender, conversational writing and illustrator Bridget George's expressive, joyful characters evoke curiosity, happiness, and empathy, reinforcing the message that learning about history can sometimes be sad but also provide healing. The pages in This Land have their own power, bringing focus and accuracy to the deep map of American history and encouraging young readers to reframe how they perceive the land they live on. A wonderful book for families, schools, and libraries, with great discussion questions and a recommended website to find out which Native land you live on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the resources provided in the back pages of This Land. Which tribe or tribes lived on the land where you live? Do they still live there?
In the book, one discussion question asks if your city, state, or area has "a name that is in the language of the tribes that were there before your family." Do any local names spark your curiosity? Are any from Indigenous groups that live(d) in your area?
Families can look up tribal museums, cultural centers, or a public powwow to attend in their area. What are you most interested in learning about?
In the book, the young girl learns to sing a song about how land is sacred. What do you think that means? How could the land you live on be treated with awe or respect?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Bridget George
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : History , STEM
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Crown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 27, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : April 19, 2026
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