Ahiahia the Orphan

"""The beauty of the landscape, the drama of the scenes of conflict, and the emotions of the characters are vividly expressed. This offering is a rich glimpse into a body of orally transmitted stories that will encourage readers to reflect on community values, changing cultural norms, and enduring human emotions. Viscerally powerful and entrancing.""—Kirkus ""Wells employs a limited color palette featuring vivid red accents and dynamic paneling that plays into the frenetic energy of this riveting, movement-filled accounting. Efficient text by Illuitok emphasizes Ahiahia’s fear and ever-present feeling of unease, while intuitively providing a glimpse into a community experiencing upheaval amid times of change and loss.""—Publishers Weekly ""The narrative moves along at a quick pace, helped by Wells’s expressive illustrations. Inuit culture infuses the story, as well as the graphics – from the scenery to the clothing to grandmother’s facial tattoo. Sharing stories that the ancestors told – of traditions, myths, and legends – keeps the culture alive and demonstrates the power of kinship, relationships, and survival. In this story, the animal skin clothing – among other things – maintains its spirit; the grandmother has the knowledge and love necessary to create protection for her grandson. As is the case with many Iegends, the moral and lessons of the story are ones that readers can sit with, think about, and interpret for themselves.""—Quill & Quire"