Full moons were named centuries ago by the Algonquin people who lived in what today is the southeastern part of Canada and the northeastern part of the United States, west to beyond the Great Lakes. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving each full moon of every month a distinct name. The names of each moon varied among the tribes, but overall, the names used by any given tribe celebrated, and reminded of, those parts of the annual cycle of life that were current when the full moons were manifest.
Every month of each season marked a significant event in nature. Whether it was time to pick wild strawberries, fish the great lakes and streams, or harvest corn, the Algonquins understood that their existence hinged on the sustainability, or renewal, of Earth's resources. Their survival hung in careful balance with nature.
Behind each beautiful, full-moon name is the Algonquin's honor and respect for the animals, trees, weather and waters — and for all that call the same place "endaanhg."
Here, in Full Wolf Moon, Cheryl Wilke uniquely pairs narrative prose with haiku poetry to tell the story of Native American tradition through the eyes of a child. Award-winning illustrator Ernest Gillman's sensitive artwork brings these moments in Algonquin culture history to life.
Full Wolf Moon invites the reader to celebrate that which we all share — Earth's full moons.
Cheryl Weibye Wilke
was born and raised on the small-town prairies of central Minnesota. Her appreciation for the full moon started early from the hilltop of her childhood home. Her poetry is published in literary journals and anthologies throughout the United States. Her writing also appears in Highlights for Children, Fun for Kidz, Hopscotch, and Jack and Jill. Full Wolf Moon is her first picture book.
Cheryl lives with her family in Minneapolis.
Ernest Gillman
grew up and worked on a family dairy farm in western Minnesota. A period of travel throughout much of the United States, especially the Southwest, followed, during which time he became progressively drawn further into his long-standing interest in detailed pencil renderings of diverse places and subjects. This growth was followed by formal education at the University of Minnesota's School of Fine Arts.
Today, Ernie resides in central Minnesota where he continues his precision pencil work, most recently as illustrator of Full Wolf Moon.
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