Fierce aunties!

K-Gr 4--Right off the bat, Fierce Aunties! is exciting. There's such liveliness and vivacity with the title and the exclamation point. That carries on, the book exploding with appreciation for the dynamic women in a child's life. The story follows a young girl celebrating the different aunties and their influence on her life. From the first page, the women burst into the narrative in a flash of color and fun. They're coded with a range of ages and interests, but all show remarkable, blinding joy. Each auntie covers different types of development. They guide through competition and athleticism, academia, environmentalism, historical significance, etc. Regardless of what they're teaching, it's presented in a beautifully nurturing way. It's not about forcing opinion. It's about seeing individual potential and letting it bloom in safety. The book also points out the generational throughline of inspirational aunties. Goodluck highlights this in her final author's note, shouting out her own fierce aunties and talking about where readers can find their own auntie figures. VERDICT A tale of feminine magic, power, and strength. A must-purchase and a wonderful read.--Cat McCarrey

An ode to the women who celebrate and care for their people. As Goodluck (Mandan/Hidatsa/Tsimshian) makes clear, these honored relatives extend far beyond biological family. "They can be a family member or a favorite teacher, coach, or friend in the community. Fierce Aunties are women who you look up to and admire." They support the young Native narrator through everyday life, whether the child is learning to ride a bike or attending a social justice rally. Their encouragement takes many forms: "When they tease and joke, you know how much they care. When they give you a pep talk, you sit up straighter, realizing they believe in you." The author emphasizes Indigenous aunties, whose wisdom, love, and advocacy demonstrate the depth of their ferocity. The aunties in this story vary in skin tone and age, but all "are a force of nature" who show up for the protagonist in big and small ways. Littlebird's (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) digital illustrations lend the narrative a comic book--style exuberance, underscoring the joyful love between the main character and the aunties. Backmatter includes an author's note praising the aunties in Goodluck's life. Aunties fill so many important roles, though their contributions aren't always acknowledged; this sunny homage acknowledges crucial figures in many children's kindred networks. The magic and power of aunties are on affectionate display in this tender tale.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.