Ch'askin: A Legend of the Sechelt People

Carol L. MacKay is a children’s librarian living in Bawlf, Alberta.

Ch’askin, the great thunderbird, has been the protector of the Sechelt
people of the Northwest Pacific Coast from the time they came to Jervis
inlet to build their first villages. Ch’askin helped raise the great
cedars to build their longhouses. He helped villagers find food when
they were hungry. And when Sechelt hunters lost their way at sea,
Ch’askin dropped pebbles from the sky to create islands so they could
rest and find their way home.

But times change, and the Sechelt people became more prosperous and did
not rely on Ch’askin for help anymore. And so, as good legendary
creatures usually do, Ch’askin took his leave, knowing that his work
was done.

Donna Joe, a Sechelt band member and educator, retells the story of
Ch’askin in a concise and captivating manner; qualities that make it a
superb read-aloud for story-times. The black-and-white illustrations by
Sechelt illustrator Jamie Jeffries suit the text and concept well. It is
interesting to note that the illustrations of Ch’askin are always
drawn with solid and sturdy lines, while the story-action illustrations
are presented in a gauzy, almost impressionistic dreamlike style. While
the old days of legend are gone forever, perhaps the solid Ch’askin is
not.

A larger book format would have been helpful for use in story sessions
and classrooms, as the pictures might be difficult to see when read to
larger audiences. Nevertheless, Ch’askin is a fine choice for
elementary story-times, especially for units or themes about legends.
Recommended.