First for kids from Highway

Page 18

Cree author Tomson Highway was in Toronto on Sept. 29 to launch his new children's book, Caribou Song. This is Highway's first installment in a trilogy entitled Songs of the North Wind. This hardcover book is beautifully illustrated by Brian Deines and is Highway's first children's book. He is best known for his play the Rez Sisters and his novel Kiss of the Fur Queen.

Caribou Song is the story of two brothers, Joe and Cody, who live in northern Manitoba with their mama, papa and their dog Ootsie. Joe plays the accordion, (kitoochigan) and Cody loves to dance.

One day they are playing on a big rock and decide to call the caribou with their song and dance. They play and sing and dance so much that they do not hear the sound of the caribou coming.

All of a sudden, thousands of caribou come from the forest. The running herd of caribou separates the boys but they manage to reach each other and get on top of a big rock. As the herd passes the rock, the boys hear the spirit of the caribou. They hear the caribou's song to them.

Mama, papa and Ootsie find the boys atop the rock, "laughing and laughing and laughing."

The book is published in English text and Woodland Cree.

It is easy reading for the younger reader and is intended for children age three to seven, but is enjoyable for adult readers as well. The large illustrations from an earth tone palette capture the essence of the tale as it progresses. Caribou Song is published by HarperCollins and is $19.95 for 32 pages.