Review by Evelyn Hussey
Tundra Books, 2023
52 pages, hardback, $24.99 CAD, 9780735266704
Picture book, Ages 5-8
Fiction
Around them, tiny circles got bigger and bigger. Suddenly the circles rolled into waves that crashed against the canoe, rocking it back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The children tumbled overboard, and the swirling water pulled them in. Lauren looked around for James, but didn’t see him until he cried out. The Memekwesewak were taking him away… across the lake and through a waterfall.
Lauren and her brother James just wanted to go fishing with their Moshom. They get all ready and set out in their canoe, but when James is taken by the Memekwesewak, Lauren must find her inner strength to save him before they are trapped.
Lauren and James visit their Moshom (grandfather) to go fishing for supper. However, as soon as they get there, Moshom falls asleep. Lauren has an idea: she and James will go fishing by themselves. But the children soon find themselves in the middle of the lake where a wave appears and capsizes their canoe. Lauren resurfaces to find James being taken away by the Memekwesewak, a humanoid race recognized by Indigenous communities across Turtle Island (North America) who are mischievous and like to play tricks. The Memekwesewak force James into their dance and soon Lauren is trapped dancing with them too. The children must listen to the song that calls them home before they are stuck dancing forever.
The first aspect that stood out for me from this book is the jaw-droppingly stunning illustrations. The pages are layered with colours that contrast with each other and stand out in a beautiful way, drawing the eye immediately across the pages. I was captivated by the illustrations of the Memekwesewak, who are drawn as little white creatures with pink mischievous faces and intricate designs circling their bodies. They look cunning and trickster-like, adding to the fantastical folklore aspect of the story. I can imagine the wonder children will feel being introduced to these creatures with these illustrations bringing them to life. My personal favourite image is the cover of the book, which shows the children with the Memekwesewak in brilliant, swirling blue water.
The words on the pages are simple and few, but still tell an incredibly enriching story. The book captures the strength of Lauren, the protagonist, and how she must be brave to save her brother. Lauren’s bravery is relatable for young audiences, as her character is valiant and strong. I also really enjoyed the character of Moshom, who plays the drum to bring the children back to their senses. This book is a wonderful introduction to Indigenous storytelling, and I imagine kids will want to learn more after reading this story. I really liked how an author’s note at the end explains who and what the Memekwesewak are.
I would recommend this book for any child who loves stories of folklore and mythology and is captivated by vibrant illustrations.
Evelyn Hussey is a BA Psychology student minoring in Creative Writing at UBC. She loves reading memoirs/creative nonfiction as well as realistic fiction. When she is not reading or writing she spends her time rock climbing, binging true crime content, or with her beloved dog, Dipsea.
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