Book Descriptions
for Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers and Rebecca Lee Kunz
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
“This is the baby. We call him Chooch. … everyone just calls me Sissy.” Sissy explains that Chooch is two, so not really a baby anymore, but because he’s usdi (young), he “just gets away with everything.” Everyone else lets Chooch help with whatever they’re doing, even though he often makes a mess. But when Chooch tries to help Sissy make a clay pot, she shouts at him and he cries. “Shouting is no help!” Sissy’s parents yell, which makes Sissy cry. Chooch wipes away her tears. An apology from their parents is followed by a story about how Sissy “helped” when she was little just like Chooch does now. But it’s the reminder that she is one of Chooch’s most important teachers that encourages Sissy to embrace a different approach with her little brother as she offers to help him learn to make a clay pot. A universal story of sibling tension is beautifully grounded in the specifics of a Cherokee family and their culture. Cherokee words integrated into the narrative include phonetic pronunciation beneath, and definitions in a glossary at story’s end. Oranges and russets predominate in the gorgeous mixed-media illustrations incorporating Cherokee motifs and symbols. Highly Commended,
CCBC Choices 2025. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Caldecott Medal Winner
Kirkus Best Book of 2024 - CCBC Choices 2025
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 . . .
“Hesdi!” 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.
Kirkus Best Book of 2024 - CCBC Choices 2025
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 . . .
“Hesdi!” 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.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
