Qu'Appelle

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

“If you walk out on the prairie / When the sun is westward fading /
When a gentle breeze is blowing / And you think that you’re alone, /
If you walk out on the prairie / When the sun is westward fading / If by
chance you hear a calling / If you think you hear a calling ... / Listen
carefully, do not answer / Do not stir and do not answer / Listen
carefully, you might come to hear / A voice call, ‘Qu’Appelle?’”

This beautiful picture book is based on a traditional Cree tale about
two young lovers who are betrothed to each other. Before they can marry,
the young man must lead a war party against the tribe’s mortal
enemies, the Blackfoot. The young brave returns home in triumph, only to
find that while he was away, his fiance has died of loneliness. In his
grief, he leaves his tribe forever to search for his beloved, whom he
believes still lives somewhere on the prairie. To this very day, if
people listen carefully, they can hear him calling, “Qu’Appelle?”

Acclaimed children’s author David Bouchard supplies the haunting
verse that accompanies the stunning, high-realism illustrations by Cree
artist Michael Lonechild. Each painting provides a detailed glimpse of
traditional Cree life, from courting rituals to war parties. Although
not created specifically for this story, Lonechild’s paintings have
been artfully arranged to match Bouchard’s storyline. The result is a
wonderful book that will delight readers of all ages. Highly
recommended.