Ahmek

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Broadcaster Patrick Watson’s first book for young people is an
interesting blend of nature story, mystery, and fantasy. Set in
Algonquin Park in 1917 and told, in part, from the perspective of the
beavers themselves, it is the story of young Ahmek (Ojibwa for
“beaver”) who, together with his father and grandmother, is
befriended by “the kind Human” (artist Tom Thomson). When poachers
destroy their dam, Ahmek and his family are separated. Ahmek escapes and
embarks on a journey of adventure. On the way he acquires a new family
and meets a number of unusual characters, including a muskrat (who
rescues him from a hungry lynx by impersonating a wolf) and a large
white beaver whose speech is interspersed with quotations from such
authors as Shakespeare and John Donne. Eventually, Ahmek and his new
family are reunited with his old family, and a possible solution to the
mystery surrounding Tom Thomson’s death is suggested, bringing the
story to its satisfying conclusion.

Ahmek is a book best shared with a parent or teacher (preferably with
some English literature background) who can elucidate for children the
great-books-quoting white beaver. In addition, the subplot involving Tom
Thomson would be a perfect opportunity to tie in some art
/history/geography about Thomson, the Group of Seven, and Algonquin
Park. Ahmek will both delight and inform young readers who love nature
stories. Recommended.