'Too Much' is a good thing: Laurel Goodluck's new children's book focuses on young Russell's 'Great Big Native Family'

Laurel Goodluck’s newest children’s book “Too Much: My Great Big Native Family” is from the perspective of young Russell. He’s bubbling over with excitement to tell his extended family about his part in a school play.

Trouble is, there are so many family members and activities and conversations — too much, Russell thinks — that he can’t get a word in edgewise to share his good news.

It’s a tale of youthful independence and boisterous family life.

When Russell’s mom announces it’s time for the family’s weekly gathering, he thinks he ought to spend time rehearsing his lines. As the family gathers in a restaurant, Russell can’t seem to get the attention of anyone in his family to proudly announce he’s got a part in the play.

But everyone is eating and chatting away.

'Too Much' is a good thing: Laurel Goodluck's new children's book focuses on young Russell's 'Great Big Native Family'

Sorry, Russell.

In the next scene, his sister walks in on Russell to tell him that it’s time to get ready for another family event, this one is a visit to a museum. He’s frustrated that he can’t focus on walking through the blocking he must learn for his part. After all, it’s only two weeks before his play is staged.

At the museum, Russell tries to corner Grandma about the upcoming production he’s in. Alas, his voice isn’t loud enough for her to hear him.

Russell begins to wonder if maybe family time means “too much togetherness?”

Now it’s at the point where Russell has memorized almost all of his lines and he’s trying on his astronaut costume for his part. Just then, a car pulls up at his home filled with … you guessed it … his big family.

For this outing, family members are off to the movies. Russell has a seat next to snoring Grandpa, so there’s no chance to tell him about the play.

Now it’s time for the play, only mom isn’t clear on the timing. She thinks it’s dress rehearsal time.

On stage, Russell is one of three students in roles as astronauts. But none of Russell’s family is in the audience. “I feel like I’ve fallen into a black hole all alone,” Russell laments. But he doesn’t sulk.

At intermission, Russell thinks he can solve the problem. He calls Grandma, his “senior commander,” to organize the big family — his “mission control” — to come to the play. They arrive just in time for the second act. Yay!

“Shining brighter than ever, I soar through my scene. … As we take our bows, I’m so happy it’s Family Time,” Russell declares.

Back at home with ice cream and laughter, Russell gives thanks “for being the best family ever.”

Goodluck, an Albuquerque resident, said the story grew out of her parents’ extended Native family’s almost weekly gatherings in northern California. Her mom is Mandan and Hidatsu, her father Tsimshian. She said her parents also built a larger community of intertribal friends.

Goodluck said she and her Diné (Navajo) husband have raised their two sons to stay connected through a large family built on traditional tribal clans and societies.

The book’s illustrator is Bridget George, an Anishinaabe illustrator from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

“Too Much,” for ages 3-9, is one of three recent books by Goodluck that will have their formal launch at Bookworks on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The other two are “Rock Your Mocs” and “Deb Haaland,” a chapter book that’s part of the bestselling book series “She Persisted.”

“Deb Haaland” is a biography for ages 6 to 9. It explains the perseverance of Haaland, who is an enrolled member of Laguna Pueblo. She has been a single mom, earned a law degree and became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Haaland is currently the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

“She credits her mother for keeping the values of a Laguna Pueblo household, though the family moved around a lot,” Goodluck said. Both of Haaland’s parents were military.

“Rock Your Mocs,” a picture book for ages 3 to 6, shows the many styles of moccasins that members of different tribes proudly wear for the annual Rock Your Mocs Day each year during November, Native American Heritage Month. The day was first declared in 2011 by Jessica “Jaylyn” Atsye of Laguna Pueblo.

Among the tribes cited in “Rock Your Mocs” are Navajo, Hopi, Osage, Ojibwe and Yurok. Madelyn Goodnight, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is the illustrator.