The Sea Lion - Softcover

Grade 2-6-- Nearly cast into the sea at birth because his mother has died and he is misshapen, young Eemook, lowly spoonmaker for the Sea Cliff People, achieves manhood by piercing the veil of enchantment laid upon his tribe by an evil and powerful spirit. In revealing Eemook, lively and courageous, Kesey also paints some other vivid portraits: fiercely jealous Chief Gawgawnee; Shoola, his daughter, whose friendship with Eemook defies her father's command; and Um-Lalagic, the boy's adoptive grandmother, who makes shadow dances to soothe children and sees truth clearly. Kesey's text is rhythmic and powerful, while Waldman's artwork enhances the sinewy strength of the narrative. Each pair of facing pages is graced by a small illustration. Full palette water-based paintings punctuated with blocks of black cliffs or clouds are contained by frames, or sometimes spring emphatically across the double-spreads. Throughout there are borders with motifs that are thematically unified with the text, and color washes provide a backdrop. Although this tale is told in the tradition of the Northwest Indians rather than coming from their lore, it weaves a powerful spell that leads readers to a magical sense of time and place. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Lib . System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.