Firefly Season

Written by the award-winning, bestselling author of Jingle Dancer, Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), and filled with tender illustrations by Kate Gardiner (Nipmuck), this unforgettable, warmhearted picture book is for family and the friends who become family.

Piper feels grateful for visits with her relatives, especially for the time spent with her cousins in Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation during summer vacations, fishing on misty mornings and playing on firefly-filled evenings. Piper's family lives a road trip away in Kansas City. So when a neighbor named Sumi moves in next door, Piper is excited to share her stories and seasons with a new friend.

The two are inseparable—until Piper's family moves to another city. Their bond overcomes distance, and with time, Piper dreams up a plan to reunite with the people she loves most of all.

Perfect for young readers navigating big feelings, this gentle story explores:

• A Multicultural Friendship: The beautiful bond between Piper, a citizen of Muscogee Nation, and her new neighbor Sumi, whose family is from India.
• Navigating Big Feelings: A gentle, reassuring story for children facing a big move or the sadness of a friend moving away.
• Celebrating Indigenous Culture: Join Piper on her summer visits home to Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation, filled with family stories, grape dumplings, and dancing with fireflies.
• Staying Connected Across Miles: Shows how heartfelt letters and special visits can keep a friendship strong, no matter the distance.