2025 Caldecott Medal: Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers

Chooch Helped is a loving depiction of a Cherokee girl’s little-brother issues.

Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Levine Querido, 2024, 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 2-8

The Cherokee word for son is atsutsa, pronounced “ah-choo-jah”–or “Chooch” for short. We never learn what the toddler’s name is, or his big sister’s name, since “Everyone just calls me Sissy.” She has a familiar complaint: “It seems to me, Usdi Chooch just gets away with everything.” He just wants to help, the grownups say, but “helping” looks more like messing up, whether defacing the mural Grandmother is painting or interfering with Grandfather’s guitar. When he tries to “help” Sissy make a clay pinch pot, she’s had enough. “Quit it!” she yells. But shouting just begets more shouting, followed by crying and door-slamming.

After tempers are sorted out and cooled, Mom and Dad have some insight to share: “You now, when you were usdi (i.e., the baby), you also used to help.” But just as Sissy learned by watching, so will Cooch. And who does he watch the most?

The universal little-brother problem gets an interesting twist with the Native-American setting. Cherokee symbolism and tradition surround this extended family, illustrated in soft earth tones and mixed-media illustrations. The figures are simple but evocative of family interactions that any three-year-old will recognize. The extended Author’s Note shares details of Cherokee Nation culture and history (note the portrait of Sequoyah). This makes for an engaging two-fer: relatable family dynamics in an setting foreign to most.

Bottom Line: A warm and loving portrait of familiar family relationships.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Review: We Are Grateful celebrates the Cherokee tradition of giving thanks all year long.

Resource: See our roundup of picture books that draw on Native American Traditions.

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