A Chinese folk tale which explains why the ox was banished from heaven to become the farmer’s beast of burden.
Picture Book
Not My Fault
Written from the perspective of the schoolyard, this simply illustrated tale stimulates thought on issues of responsibility. When the classmates of a young boy who has been bullied all deny blame for the incident, they offer many common excuses why they declined to step in on their peer’s behalf. The familiar, first-person narration of the young characters begs the question, Does it really have nothing to do with me? The story closes with a series of powerful images of global strife, making the connection between simply not stepping in to help someone and standing by while wider atrocities go on.
Featured in Volume II, Issue 2 of WOW Review.
Awakening The Dragon
In ancient times, the Chinese saw the dragon as both a protector and a threat, able to bring on rain or cause droughts. To honor this powerful creature, people created long narrow boats that they raced in an annual rainmaking festival. From the wearing of fragrant pouches, to the consumption of rice dumplings, to thrilling boat races, the dragon boat festival of today is a celebration of Chinese traditions all over the world. Arlene Chan, a respected librarian and an experienced dragon boat racer, explores the origins of the festival, it’s customs, and the races themselves. Beautifully detailed illustrations by Song Nan Zhang let you experience the beauty and energy of this ancient festival.
White Tails Don’t Live In The City
A look at the beauty of nature and living in the open country by One of Canada’s all-time best-selling authors and British Columbia’s most sought-after public speaker, David Bouchard.
The Moccasins
This is an endearing story of a young Aboriginal foster child who is given a special gift by his foster mother. Her gift of warmth and thoughtfulness helps her young foster children by encouraging self-esteem, acceptance and love. Written as a simple story, it speaks of a positive foster experience.
Tundra Mouse: A Storyknife Book
Using a traditional technique called storyknifing, two Yupik Eskimo sisters share a story about the mice that made a nest out of tinsel from the Christmas tree.
An Eskimo Birthday
Young Eeka lives in Point Hope, Alaska, well above the Arctic Circle where there is little daylight during the winter months. It’s her birthday and Eeka is hoping that her mother may have found the right fur for the newly made velveteen parka that her mother has just made for her. However, with the coming of a storm, her attention moves towards the safety of her father who may be caught in the great winter storm that has developed while checking his traps. From Eeka escorting her younger cousin home from school, to the stories of survival and legend told by Eeka’s grandfather, young (and older) readers will be introduced to a bit of Eskimo culture. Lastly, Glo Coalson’s lovely and descriptive illustrations are integral to the book.
Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival
A backward glimpse to pre-Colombian Cherokee Indian life as Little Wolf and his family work, play, and prepare for the harvest festival, Itse Selu. Includes Cherokee language.
The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale
A lonely old woman adopts a polar bear and cares for him until he is grown. When the bear must leave the village, he continues to visit and provide for his “mother” in this gentle story.
A Small Tall Tale From The Far Far North
This spectacularly beautiful, inventive picture-book journal of life with the Alaskan Eskimos at the turn of the century is a brilliant leap of the imagination and the embodiment of the aphorism “every picture tells a story.”
Full color throughout.
New York Times Best Illustrated Book Of The Year, Ala Notable Children’s Book