Storm Boy

After a violent seastorm, a Haida prince washes ashore in the supernatural realm of the strange and colossal killer whale people. There his spiritual journey begins. Powerful illustrations make stunning use of northwest coast Native American motifs to create a compelling atmosphere of mystery and displacement. Over 50,000 copies in print! 1996 American Book Award winner 1995 Best Children's Book of the Pacific Northwest 1996 Washington State Governor's Award winner

A story drawn from Haida Indian literary tradition in which a boy falls from his canoe into a world of eighteen-foot tall humanlike creatures who welcome him and eventually return him to his village.

An American Indian prince is flung from his canoe during a storm. Washed ashore in the mysterious world of the Killer Whale people, the boy finds himself in an unfamiliar village, being welcomed by a strange and giant tribe. • 50,000 copies in print!• American Book Award Winner• A PBS "Storytime" Selection• Best Children's Book of the Pacific Northwest• Washington State Governer's Award Winner

Publishers Weekly

Lewis (Davy's Dream) draws on folkloric and artistic traditions of the Pacific Northwest coastal tribes for this somewhat attentuated tale. Thrown from his canoe during a storm, a boy is ``washed ashore under a strange sky he had never seen before.'' Inhabitants of the coastal village, who are very large and dressed in vivid garb, welcome him with a feast and a celebration. The chief recognizes the boy's homesickness and returns him to ``his very own village''-where he discovers that a year has passed in his absence. Though the totem-like motifs of Lewis's boldly colored and sharply defined artwork provide drama, several illustrations are repetitious. Also, despite a few clues (fish swimming in what appears to be the sky, killer whales displayed like trophies in one of the strangers' houses) the story's key element may perplex younger readers-these ``finely dressed people'' are in fact whales in human form. A comprehensive-and sophisticated-author's note credits the mythological motifs encountered in the story (Separation, Initiation and Return) to the writings of Joseph Campbell. Ages 5-10. (May)

PAUL OWEN LEWIS lives near Seattle, Washington, and is the author/illustrator of eight books. When not stargazing, he is visiting schools and conferences across North America.