Author Description

<p>*Winner of the Best of State Medal for Children's Books*</p><p><br></p><p>"Julie Coulter Bellon captures the specific distinction of the Métis powerfully...This story has a rightful place on the shelves of every home and school library." ---Readers' Favorite</p><p><br></p><p>A beautiful introduction to Métis culture and traditions . . .</p><p><br></p><p>Thelma, a young Metis girl, can hardly wait for Christmas, and it is the night before the big day. Her family is celebrating with lots of food, including Thelma's favorite jam with bannock, and her father will dress in his traditional clothing to tell them the ancestor stories---but all Thelma wants to do is her best, most fancy, jigging dance. Stopping for a moment so her grandmother can read the story of the Christ child's birth, Thelma wonders what she could have given the baby had she been there that special night---and then her heart tells her what gift she can give right now! </p>