Jan Bourdeau Waboose

Ojibwe picture-book author Jan Bourdeau Waboose explores the ties between humankind and nature in this contemplative tale, which follows a boy who, upon hearing the call of a loon, is reminded of a story his Mishomis (grandfather) once told him. It is a story about a peaceful lake far to the north, that lies calmly under the moon. Here, with the mystical cry of the loon calling to them, the elders go. The narrative follows one such elder, presumably the boy's grandfather, who looks back upon show more the stages of his life, before peacefully accepting death - the next stage. The boy, seeing all of this in his mind's eye, is comforted, and feels a connection to his Mishomis, and to all of creation...

Originally published in 1994, and then reprinted in a second edition in 2003, Where Only the Elders Go - Moon Lake Loon Lake was Waboose's debut as a picture-book author. She has gone on to publish four other picture-books with mainstream publishers, but this title was brought out by the small Manotick, Ontario-based press, Penumbra Books. It is the third of the author's books I have read, after SkySisters and The Spirit Trackers, and has a quiet, gentle tone that I found very appealing. The text has a repetitive quality that is soothing, and some descriptive passages that are quite beautiful. The accompanying watercolor artwork from Ontario-based illustrator Halina Below is lovely, and captures the serenity of the eponymous lake. The treatment of death here - it is depicted as a natural stage of life, something that brings peace to the spirit - is reassuring, and will undoubtedly offer comfort to some readers. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories that address death, especially from a Native Ojibwe cultural perspective, as well as to those who appreciate beautiful picture-book art. show less

A young girl and her Noko (Nokoomis, or grandmother) head to Smooth Rock Island one dark autumn night in this atmospheric picture-book from Ojibwe author Jan Bourdeau Waboose and Mohawk illustrator C.J. Taylor. Here they build a fire, and the girl is drawn into a dance with her grandmother, a dance that reaches back to their ancestors and that ties them to the natural world around them...

Pairing a richly descriptive text with beautiful, intensely colorful illustrations, Firedancers was a show more pleasure to read. Waboose's story involves the readers immediately in the child-narrator's experience, as she finds herself out and about in a dark world that feels both frightening and familiar. The connection to her loving grandmother is beautifully evoked, as is the symbolic significance of the dance. The artwork, which looks like it was done in oil paint, is very intense, with a deep, vivid color palette and stylized figures. This is my fourth picture-book from Waboose, but my first from Taylor - I will definitely have to seek out more of her books! Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about grandparents and grandchildren and/or about Native cultural traditions. show less

Two young cousins, Will and Tom, both want to be trackers like their uncle in this engaging spooky story from Anishinaabe author Jan Bourdeau Waboose. Asking their uncle to tell them about the Windigo - the Wandering Night Spirit of Winter - the boys are transfixed, still afraid as they head off to bed. When they hear a noise outside their window late at night, they are too frightened to investigate, but the next day they set out to track the footprints they find leading into the nearby show more woods. Hearing an inhuman call, the two young trackers must conquer their fear and investigate, finding a creature, not of terror, but in need of help...

The Spirit Trackers is the second picture-book I have read from Waboose (the first being her SkySisters), and I found it quite enjoyable. Although not a retelling of a traditional folktale about the Windigo, I did add my folklore tags, given that the original story here centers around a belief in this spirit, and the folk traditions surrounding that belief. The story itself is engrossing, sure to please young children who enjoy ghost stories and other frightening fare, and the artwork, done by François Thisdale, is appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with a Native American/First Nations cultural background, for stories about the Windigo, or for tales featuring young people working through their fears. show less

When Alex sets out late one night with her Nimise - her older sister Allie - to see the SkySpirits, the young Ojibway girl finds it difficult at first to keep the silence that her Nokomis (grandmother) says will bring wisdom. But as she and Allie make their way across the snowy landscape to Coyote Hill, taking in the beauty of the wintry world around them, from the glistening icicles to the fleet-footed deer, she begins to understand her grandmother's words. It is the SkySpirits however, show more those dancing celestial lights that Allie dubs "SkySisters," who truly bring home to this Nishiime (little sister), the wonder of the night...

Chosen as a First Nation Communities Read selection in 2005, this lovely picture-book presents a gentle tale of two young girls discovering and reveling in the beauty of the Aurora Borealis. The gorgeous oil illustrations by Brian Deines have a luminous, impressionistic feel to them, accentuating the mystery of the nighttime world. I enjoyed both the story and illustrations here, and would recommend SkySisters to all young sky-watchers. show less