Chooch Helped

Every big sister knows the feeling: little brothers get away with EVERYTHING!

Meet Sissy, who's had it up to here with her two-year-old brother Chooch. No matter what chaos he creates in their loving Cherokee family-and trust us, there's a lot-their parents just smile and say he's ""helping."" When Elisi paints a mural? Chooch ""helps."" When Edutsi makes grape dumplings? Chooch ""helps."" When Sissy tries to make her own clay pot? Well, you can guess what happens next.

But when Sissy finally loses her cool and yells ""Hesdi!"" (Quit it!), what unfolds is a tender moment that captures the messy, beautiful reality of sibling love. This Caldecott Medal winner perfectly nails that universal big sibling frustration-and the surprising grace that can follow.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal * Starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Review: "Author Rogers and illustrator Kunz, both members of the Cherokee Nation, portray Sissy's older sisterhood with tenderness... The touching narrative and its universal lesson are brought to life through Kunz's powerful images, which make stunning use of collage to illustrate the children's rich familial and cultural webs. Readers' hearts will be warmed by Sissy and Chooch's relationship and by the moving representation of Cherokee traditions. Native life and language are at the center of this beautiful sibling story." - Kirkus (starred)
"Kunz's phenomenal illustrations bring a cleverly spare text to being... Gorgeous and heartfelt in its simplicity, this book deserves a spot on the shelf alongside Goade's Berry Song and Flett's We All Play." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)
"Tender... powerful." - Publishers Weekly (starred)
"Tribal designs and patterns, in hues of sand and clary, add texture to this touching picture book." - The New York Times
"Highlights the joys and challenges that many older siblings face as the baby of the family grows up and begins to mimic them. Kunz's striking mixed-media art complements this loving family story." - Horn Book
"The artwork is warm and flushed, almost like a heart pulsing from the warmth of inclusion and support... This recommended story reminds readers how they could lead by example for those who are curious and want to also be included in the joys of life, be it miniscule chores or creating art." - School Library Journal
"Siblings everywhere will recognize themselves in this universal story of family dynamics... A warm, welcome addition to a growing body of work portraying contemporary Native families celebrating their heritage and living full, multidimensional lives." - Booklist

Prizes: Winner of Caldecott Medal 2025.