Wesakaychak and the Beaver

David M. Kelly teaches religious studies at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

This trilogy is confusing because of the lack of any introduction.
Written in both English and Innu, the books appear to be a collection of
Nahui animal tales for very young readers. The text and format are
simple, as are the black-and-white illustrations by artists Jack Goodwin
and the students of St. Andrew’s School. The illustrations reflect a
Native art style, or at least an imitation of it. The tales themselves
are mildly amusing. They explain how the animals chose the 12 months of
the year; how the wolves must sniff each other to find their own furs;
and how the beaver got his flat tail (Wesakaychak dropped a rock on it).


Children may well get a laugh or two out of them, but these books are
not a first-choice purchase.