Too Much: My Great Big Native Family

Too Much: My Great Big Native Family is a lively picture book that offers a perspective into the family social dynamics encircling a young Indigenous boy. Russell is absolutely thrilled about his role as an astronaut in an upcoming school play. But whenever he tries to share his exciting news with his relatives or find a few quiet moments to practice his lines, his chances are thwarted by the ongoing and enthusiastic celebrations of his large and lively extended Native family. Traditional gatherings, family mealtimes, a trip to the aquarium, a visit to the movie theatre - a succession of fun-filled family events are joyously illustrated in a lively blur of colour across the pages.

As the story unfolds, the perfect opportunity for Russell to apprise his boisterous relatives about his own upcoming adventure just doesn’t seem to present itself. Suddenly, the evening of the play has arrived, and Russell realizes that, with no one in his family aware of his involvement, he will need to bravely embark on this adventure alone. Even though Act 1 of the school play about space goes well, Russell discovers that being an actor isn’t quite as enjoyable an experience without the involvement of his large family offering support from the audience.

During intermission, I call my senior commander. “Good gosh,” Grandma says, “we’ll blast right over.” I open the hatch and let my great big family in. Mission control fills the empty row, ready for act 2. Shining brighter than ever, I soar through my scene. I forget a line, but my family still applauds the loudest and whistles the proudest. I feel weightless, like I’m tethered to my crew. As we take our bows, I’m so happy it’s family time.

Of course, Russell’s performance is a resounding success, and, afterwards, all his relatives gather to celebrate his newfound acting career with ice-cream. They focus their attention on Russell and listen while he shares his thoughts about the evening. Russell comes to the realization that being surrounded by a noisy and large family unit also means that he is also enveloped within a circle of love and unconditional support. The story’s theme of a multi-generational network of care is not only relevant to Native societies but can be extended to other cultures and large family units.

Anishinaabe illustrator Bridget George’s bold full-colour drawings in this picture book rely heavily on a blue-toned colour palette. There are little stars scattered across almost every illustration simply daring the reader to locate or count them. Sometimes George’s cartoon-style characters are contained on a white background, and other times her drawings extend to the page edges, creep across the gutters, or are used as a background for the text of the story. Her illustrations are first sketched digitally and then completed using Photoshop. She is the author/illustrator of It’s a Mitig! which won the Periodical Marketers of Canada’s Indigenous Literature Award. She was one of four contributing illustrators to The Tragically Hip ABC picture book and illustrated Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior. George currently lives in London, Ontario.

Author Laurel Goodluck has an intertribal background with Tsimshian, Mandan, and Hidatsa roots and now lives with her Navajo husband in New Mexico. Other books by Goodluck include Forever Cousins (2022), Rock Your Mocs (2023), and She Persisted: Deb Haaland (2023) which was selected as the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Honor Book. She holds degrees in both psychology and community counseling and family studies. Too Much contains a detailed one-page “Author’s Note” at the end of the book which more fully describes Goodluck’s sense of place as a storyteller, an important element in Indigenous writing. She relates the idea of an extended family based on clans and societies – clarifying a concept which a reader from a non-Indigenous culture may not be familiar. She concludes the “Author’s Note” with these words:

I am sure, at times, the children of the past have felt that the large family structure or duties of society and community were “too much,” but overall, I am sure they also felt the endless supply of love, just as children do today.

Too Much: My Great Big Native Family could be read aloud to younger students as an effective springboard into discussions about the different types of family combinations and situations that exist beyond that of a clan and societies. It also perfectly supports early primary Social Studies curriculum discussions about the ways that families differ and are the same. But the true strengths of this picture book are that it offers an example of an authentic voice in Indigenous storytelling, embedded in a current and relatable setting. It presents a mirror for Native youngsters to see themselves reflected and affirmed in story, enhancing their self-awareness. It provides all children with an essential window into learning about the global world around them, broadening their perspectives and their appreciation for the attributes of a variety of different cultures. Children’s literature that illustrates diversity encourages the development of emotional intelligence and can foster greater empathy in youth. Book by book, stereotypes and misunderstandings can be addressed, promoting a more inclusive and unbiased society. Too Much: My Great Big Native Family is a recommended read for primary students.