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In Cherokee culture, the term for boy or son is “atsutsa,” commonly shortened to “chooch.” The children’s book Chooch Helped revolves around a young boy named Chooch, who is eager to assist but often creates chaos for his older sister.
For instance, when Edutsi is making grape dumplings, Chooch manages to scatter flour everywhere. Similarly, during a garden-planting session with Etlogi, he unpredictably uproots the plants.
His sister often feels that Chooch can get away with everything.
Andrea L. Rogers, the book’s author and a sibling herself, shares that Chooch Helped is fundamentally about sibling dynamics. “This narrative explores how two siblings navigate their relationship,” she explains. “The elder sibling naturally assumes a mentoring role, though they might not recognize it until conflicts arise. Ultimately, the story showcases moments of conflict, forgiveness, and understanding.”
The illustrations in Chooch Helped are the work of Rebecca Lee Kunz, marking her debut in children’s literature. Remarkably, the book received the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 2025.
“It’s extraordinary and quite uncommon,” Kunz expresses her amazement. “I’m truly in awe of this achievement.”
Kunz and Rogers serendipitously met at the Cherokee National Holiday and instantly bonded. “There were concepts I didn’t need to clarify for her,” Rogers remarks. “For example, if I mentioned gigging, she immediately understood it and could demonstrate.”
On one memorable night, Chooch participates in gigging for crawdads with Oginalii. Armed with long poles featuring two-pronged forks, they search the water, while Chooch engages with a crawdad playfully.
Kunz shares a humorous childhood memory: “My siblings and I didn’t use gigging forks for crawdads. We just caught them with our hands then tossed them into the fire, regardless of whether they were alive or dead.”
In her artistic approach, Kunz aimed to capture the essence of Oklahoma—where both she and Rogers hail from. “I cherish the summer evenings filled with fireflies and the gentle sunsets that Oklahoma offers,” she notes. “These elements influenced my warm, earthy color palette. Since it’s a story centered on familial love, those hues felt fitting.” Employing various techniques, including layering, collaging, and distinct line work, she successfully infused her fine art style into the children’s book format, adding depth to her illustrations.
Rogers regards Chooch Helped as a narrative with broad appeal. “Numerous cultural traditions require time for children to assimilate, often leading to messy experiences,” she reflects. “If kids are not engaged in their culture early on, they may lack investment as they grow older. This book draws from personal experiences, such as when my child assisted in making grape dumplings and ended up covering the kitchen in flour. Despite the clean-up hassle, the joy of creating those moments together is irreplaceable.”
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www.npr.org