The 2024 picture book Chooch Helped, written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz is good…and confuses me a little.
Several things make this book good. It has a strong focus: it introduces Chooch, “the baby,” on the first page, the older sister Sissy on page 3–and the book’s core conflict on page 4. Chooch is two and does things with the older people he knows. However, being two, he regularly makes messes. Both the messes and the fact that people excuse them away because he’s a baby irritate Sissy.
A series of two-page spreads show Chooch “helping” Elisi (grandmother), Edoda (father), Etsi (mother), Edudu (grandfather), Edutsi (uncle), Oginalii (friend), Etlogi (aunt), and Sissy in a range of tasks: gardening, painting, repair, etc. Sometimes he really seems to be trying to help. Other times, he does what kids do: watching, playing, being with, and messing things up.
When he ruins a pot Sissy is making, Chooch cries. Their parents yell at Sissy. She goes to her room and cries in turn.
The parents apologize for yelling, then explain that when Sissy was young, she tried to help too-and also show her she made messes. Now, though, she is one of Chooch’s “most important teachers.”
When she hears this, Sissy changes immediately, showing Chooch how to make a pot.
This book has a nice rhythm. It does a good job of showing a family’s varied life, in gentle, inviting illustrations. It integrate words from Cherokee smoothly, and includes a glossary in the back (and some guidance on making a pot like Chooch). There’s a generous note from the author providing historical context (and other commentary), and a note from the artist.
And here’s my confusion: the core issue is resolved much too quickly and easily. Parents yell, parents explain, kid changes? Much too easy.
I like the book, but I’m not sure what made it win the 2025 Caldecott.
