Sage and the Snowshoe Express

An action-packed picture book inspired by the true experiences of Indigenous mail carriers.

One winter, the weather is so bad in a remote village that the mail can't be delivered to or from the neighboring community for many weeks. But then, on a clear morning, Sage's father decides he'll have enough time before the next storm arrives to transport everyone's letters and packages on the Snowshoe Express, a dogsled pulled by Nimoosh. When Sage finds an overlooked package in the snow and runs to catch up, she gets to go, too. But then they have a frightening encounter with wolves in the woods, a fast-moving storm threatens to overtake them, and Sage's excitement turns to fear. Will they (and the mail) be able to get to the other village safely?

This compelling, edge-of-the-seat adventure story is based on the life of author Louise Bradford's Anishinaabe and French great-great-grandfather, who delivered mail by snowshoe and sled. It offers children an excellent introduction to the important, and often treacherous, work of Indigenous mail carriers, bringing to life a lesser-known part of Indigenous history. Artwork by award-winning illustrator Maya McKibbin perfectly captures Sage's range of emotions and vividly portrays the snow-covered landscape in shades of blue and white. The story features cultural details in the illustrations as well as Anishinaabemowin words, with a glossary. An author's note and an introduction from the former chief of Batchewana First Nation, the community of the author and her ancestor, are also included. There are numerous curriculum links throughout to social studies and Indigenous history lessons.

Author: Louise Bradford
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Published: 09/01/2026
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.70h x 11.10w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781525312960
Audience: Ages 4-8

About the Author
Louise Bradford is the author of two picture books, and her other stories have been produced by CBC Radio and CBC Television. A proud member of Batchewana First Nation, she was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and now lives and writes in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Maya McKibbin is a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary animator and illustrator living on the unceded traditional territories of the x?m k y m, S?wx_wú7mesh and s?lilw?ta? Nations. They are Irish-settler and Ojibwe, with roots in White Earth Nation, and have family diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico. They grew up in ch'atlich and later in England. Maya is the illustrator of two award-winning picture books, and their work has also appeared in graphic novels.