Title: FISH-BOY
Subtitle: AN INUIT FOLK TALE
Author: VANITA OELSCHLAGER
Illustrator: MIKE BLANC
Genre: CHILDREN’S FICTION, MULTICULTURAL BOOKS, INUIT STORIES
Length: 25 PAGES
Publisher: VANITA BOOKS
Received From: NETGALLEY
Release Date: MAY 1, 2018 – TODAY
ISBN: 978-1-938164-20-0 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1- 938164-21-7 (Paperback)
Price: (HARDCOVER) $15.95 USD
Rating: 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
DESCRIPTION:
The Arctic region of North America is a land of long days, icy cold, hardy people and peculiar creatures. The Inuit people there have made traditional use of remarkable folk tales to find truth and explain the mysteries of an astonishing world.
In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit.
Fish-Boy is an origin story involving an odd young boy who has a big heart. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way… and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality.
MY REVIEW:
I have always been fascinated by folk-tales and those told by Aboriginal or Inuit storytellers are some of the very best.
There were two main reasons that traditional Inuit stories were told. Firstly, stories were used to explain the world around them, and secondly, they were used to teach traditional values to the next generation.
The cover of this book is so beautifully illustrated that I was immediately drawn to it. I believe that children will be drawn to it as well. In fact, the illustration of the boy with the puffin on his head brings to mind Disney illustrations. Mike Blanc is obviously a very talented individual.
FISH-BOY is the story of “… why there are so many sea-parrots on the stony islands of the far North.”
It is the story of a lame Inuit fisherman who one day saw a fish that was unlike anything he had seen before. “It appeared] to have a head like a man and feet behind its tail.” To the fisherman’s surprise, the fish spoke to him saying, “Do not spear me. I am not a fish. I am Fish-Boy … I have no parents, and I am very lonely. I want you to be my father.”
The fisherman was lame, but he had found a way to survive. He wasn’t sure what use an armless Fish-Boy would be, but out of kindness, he took him in and Fish-Boy became his son.
This act of kindness changed both their lives for the better and the pair had amazing adventures.
You will need to read this book to discover exactly what adventures they had, what trials and tribulations they faced and to discover how their story finally reveals the reason that there are so many sea-parrots on the stony islands today. I promise that this is a story worth reading.
I love that this book not only tells the story of Fish-Boy, but also includes details of traditional Inuit life. Also included at the back of the book are definitions of some of the story’s less commonly known words.
In addition to being a fantastic story, another wonderful thing about not only this book, but all books published by Vanita Books is that they donate ALL net profits to “charities where people help people help themselves.” Ten percent of the net profits for FISH-BOY will be donated to The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis, the other ninety percent will go to other charities.
I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
* Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC (Advance Review Copy) of this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
VANITA OELSCHLAGER is a wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, former teacher, current caregiver, author and poet.
She is a graduate of the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as Trustee. Vanita is also Writer in Residence for the Literacy Program at the University of Akron.
She and her husband Jim received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2006. Vanita also won the Congressional Angels Adoption Award for the State of Ohio in 2007 and was named National Volunteer of the Year by the MS Society in 2008.
To learn more about this author visit the following links:
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
MIKE BLANC is an author and an award-winning illustrator of children’s literature.
His artwork has illuminated countless publications for both corporate and public interests, worldwide. Mike contributes creative direction and illustration.
He lives with his wife, Gail, in sunny Doylestown, Ohio. They enjoy their four children, and five grandchildren.
To learn more about this amazing illustrator, visit the following links:
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