Andrea Spalding

Solomon had always had a special love for the maple tree that stood near his house - a tree that offered him a comfortable perch, and whispered its many secrets to him. When his arboreal friend is knocked down in the course of a terrible storm, Solomon is heartbroken, until his uncle involves him in the carving of a mask from the maple's wood, and he realizes that his friend's spirit will live on...

Andrea Spalding's gentle narrative, inspired by a mask-carving workshop with master Tsimpshian show more woodcarver Victor Reece, offers a sensitive portrayal of a contemporary First Nations boy, and the central role his traditional culture plays at a crucial moment in his life. Janet Wilson's illustrations - done in oil - evoke a sense of family warmth and a connection to the natural world. It is easy to see why this appealing picture-book was picked for the First Nation Communities Read Award! show less

Inspired by the traditional selkie lore of Scotland and Ireland, children's author Andrea Spalding spins this magical tale of a young boy, living in a small fishing village on Canada's west coast, who befriends and is befriended by one of the seal people. Drawn to the secret cove near his village, Finn swims with his phocine friends, and longs to hear their singing. When he discovers one of the seals caught in an old net, he frees her, and nurses her back to health, wishing all the while show more that she could live with him on land. Then one day, a mysterious young girl named Sheila appears in the village, and becomes his constant companion. Distrusted by the superstitious villagers, who suspect her selkie identity, Sheila remains loyal to Finn, abandoning her land life when he is endangered by a terrible storm...

Alternating between prose and a kind of sing-song poetry - "Seals joined her singing, / strange sounds ringing, / green waves cresting. / Sheila diving, / her shape changing, / a young seal swimming" - Spalding's lovely narrative has an enchanting quality to it that, when joined with Pascal Milelli's gorgeous artwork, creates a truly marvelous reading experience. It was Milelli's work, actually, that drew me to Seal Song, as I went looking for books he had illustrated, after enjoying his paintings in Gloria Whelan's Waiting for the Owl's Call. With a striking color palette - deep blues, greens and browns - and a rather cubist sensibility, these paintings draw the reader into their magical world, and are the perfect complement to the text. Highly recommended, to anyone who enjoys selkie stories, and to fans of Milelli's work! show less

Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

For young Watl'kina, taking the fishing boat with his family to a small village nestled in an inlet starts out as an adventure. He's not sure why they're going, or what the strangely wrapped bundles contained that were hidden on board the boat during the night. When he and his siblings are put to bed while his parents meet with the Elders, Watl'kina is disappointed to not be part of the feast and festivities. He knows, though, that if an Indian Agent show more were to have followed their boat from home, there would be trouble.

After his younger siblings are asleep, Watl'kina is unable to resist the lure of the drums and chanting he hears outside his window. He sneaks away, only to meet masked figures who allow him entrance into the Big House. There, he's able to watch the ceremony, the dancing, and the chanting. He even sees, for the one and only time in his life, his masked father dancing.

SECRET OF THE DANCE is based on history, when the Canadian government instituted laws forbidding the Aboriginal people to hold their ritual ceremonies. Offered a choice between prison and having their ceremonial garb and regalia confiscated, many chose prison.

Although this story might be too complicated for younger children who don't understand true oppression or the Aboriginal customs, it's still an interesting look at how the world has come full circle. show less

One of my favourite places in the world is the Gulf Islands. Seasonings : flavours of the southern Gulf Islands by Andrea Spalding and David Spalding is not only a fabulous book about cooking, but about the idyllic life on the islands. The authors describe how to make the delicious dishes, where to find the ingredients on the islands, delicacies unique to places and events - even how to get to the southern Gulf Islands. The book is arranged by season, with particular attention given to the show more abundance of foodstuffs acclaimed on the islands. show less