How the Turtle Got Its Shell: A Nanabosho Legend

Kelly L. Green is the co-editor of the Children’s Literature edition
of the Canadian Book Review Annual.

In this, the fifth Nanabosho book by Manitoba teacher and writer Joe
McLellan, two First Nations children go with their grandparents to visit
their aunt in the city. While there, Auntie takes them to a mall, where
they visit a pet shop. One of the children is troubled by the fact that
the shop has turtles. “Yes,” replies the grandfather, “turtles
belong in lakes and rivers, not in stores. Kitchie Manitou did not
create turtles to be owned.”

On the way home, grandfather tells the children a story about how
Nanabosho gave the turtle his shell. It seems that the turtle didn’t
start out with a shell, and with no such protection, was a timid and
fearful animal. One day, when Nanabosho was out
fishing—unsuccessfully—turtle pointed out a place in the river where
he might find some fish. In return, Nanabosho painted a rock, and gave
it to turtle for his shell.

With this simple, eloquently told Nanabosho tale, McLellan succeeds
beautifully in his personal mission to harness the “teaching power of
the oral tradition.” Story, language, and illustrations combine to
create an irresistible book. The story’s lovely message comes through
clearly, but without didacticism. Brynjolson’s beautiful illustrations
often contain their own stories. For example, her drawing of the Mega
Mall (“more stuff than you’ll ever need”) includes a
Bryn-jolson’s Bookstore, and—in a nod to Dr. Seuss’s environmental
tale, The Lorax—the Thneed Boutique. Both very young and older
children interested in folklore will love this book. Highly recommended.