Gr 2-4ÄA Native American boy and his grandfather spend a full day in the wilderness. From a morning encounter with a family of loons on the lake, to an evening face-off with some wolves, the child is reassured by his grandfather's presence and wisdom. Quiet in tone, the contemplative first-person narrative brings the Ojibway view of the world into focus. The idea that people are part of nature and must respect both land and animals is never directly stated but is clearly shown. The lengthy text is divided into three sections, denoted by time of day. Since this is a quiet story powered as much by internal as external action, it would be best read aloud in these shorter segments; otherwise, many children will not stick with it. The full- and double-page watercolors are attractive and somewhat photographic in nature. Similar in both message and approach to Allen Say's Lost Lake (Houghton, 1989), these stories could be paired for a look at both father-son and cross-generational relationships as they are played out in natural settings.ÄAnn Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A loon at dawn, an eagle at noon, a wolf at night--an Ojibway grandfather and grandson encounter these animals in this smoothly written story about a modern-day Native family's wilderness outing. Realistic illustrations capture the closeness of the intergenerational relationship and the quiet beauty of nature. Intricate renderings of traditional Ojibway beadwork complement the text. From HORN BOOK Fall 1998, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In overly lengthy prose, a Native American boy relates his encounters with wild creatures in three episodes: "Morning," "Noon" and "Night." Under the tutelage of his grandfather, the boy discovers mystical bonds with various animals Waboose's (Where Only the Elders Go-Moon Lake Loon Lake) wordy narrative often bumbles its mystical purpose (e.g., when an eagle swoops down toward the boy, "I feel talons combing through my hair with a gentleness I cannot explain"), and at times may even confuse readers (e.g., in two separate tales, the boy says morning, then night, "is [Grandfather's] favorite time, and so it is mine"). Reczuch's (The Dust Bowl) pencil and watercolor illustrations‘dominated by rich, realistic portraiture‘hint at the comfort and mystery of the bonds between boy and grandfather, man and nature. However, the pictures have the effect of observing the two watch nature, and distance readers from the pair. For all its discussion of making connections between man and nature, this book ultimately misses making one with the reader. Ages 5-9. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Ages 5^-9. Three stories follow one another: in the first, Noshen, the grandchild, and Mishomis, the grandfather, go to the lake in the morning, where they encounter a loon family; in the second, they go to the cliff at noon, and an eagle drops a feather on the rock cliff. Lastly, they go to the forest at night, where they see a pack of timber wolves. In each tale, the grandfather advises and guides. And in each, the child says, with love and confidence, this is grandfather's special place, his favorite time, and "so it is mine." The illustrations, which are gorgeous watercolors in all the shades of water blue, forest green, and rock gray, show a sturdy, jeans-clad child of indeterminate gender and a solid, gray-ponytailed granddad. The title page, section heads, and Noshen's denim jacket are decorated with beautifully reproduced beadwork patterns. The Ojibwa words and a tender respect for the land and the animals echo the author's heritage, and the lessons of intergenerational love and trust are universal and sweet. --GraceAnne A. DeCandido

This tale conveys to readers how a morning glide through still lake waters in a canoe, amid haze and reeds, can be more valuable than actually reaching any destination. An Ojibway boy and his Mishomis, or grandfather, rise early; after a canoe ride across the lake, they climb a rocky ledge--the grandfather's favorite place to be at noon. At night they walk through the dark forest. The animals they encounter--loon, eagle, timberwolves--are not hunted, but observed and respected. Their presence makes the day significant and draws the boy and his elder together in a shared experience. Remarkably rendered in Reczuch's watercolors are details such as the liquid reflection on the lake, the grandfather's wool plaid jacket, and the loon's sleek feathered back. If readers feel a shiver down their spines while reading these pages, it will be because this tale is informed by an awe of nature, the chill of dark trees, and the spiritualism inherent in finding an eagle feather. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.