REVIEWS
Him Standing connects old-time Ojibway wood carving with present-day life through a young character named Lucas Smoke. Lucas is heartbroken when his grandfather passes away. His grandfather was a respected spirit mask carver. Before he died, he encouraged Lucas to pick up the turtle shell blade to carve the faces he saw. The reserve felt empty without his grand-
father and Lucas decides to move to the city. As his family starts to squabble over who gets what, Lucas feels a growing ache in his heart and misses his grandfather deeply. Lucas be- gins carving masks on the boardwalk in his hometown to make money. He quickly be- comes a well-loved street artist. He possesses an amazing gift for creating
people’s faces in wood. One day, he is approached by a mysteri-
HIM STANDING By Richard Wagamese Orca Book Publishers, 2021 105 Pages, $9.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Courtney Morgan
ous stranger and asked to bring a long-dead legend back to life through carving a spirit mask. Lucas begins having dreams. Through these dreams he acquires the knowledge that the dark shaman “Him Standing” has re- turned. He sees his grandfather in his dreams
MEL AND MO’S MARVELOUS BALANCING ACT By Nicola Winstanley, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer Annick Press, 2019 32 pages, $21.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Jessica Colafranceschi
Mel and Mo are a set of twins who loved each other and grew up together looking the same. However, they are not the same at all. One likes the rain and waking up early; the other likes the sun and sleeping in late. As they grow up, they grow apart because their tastes and interests diverge. Mel takes over the family umbrella store and Mo joins the circus to perform on the high wire. One day, umbrellas fall out of fashion and rollerblad- ing in raincoats becomes all the rage. Mel cannot sell a single umbrella and people lose interest in the circus in favour of rollerblad- ing. Mel and Mo come together at the end of the story to make umbrellas for the circus’s amazing new balancing act, demonstrating that people with very different interests and lifestyles can complement each other and work well together. This is a great read aloud for classrooms
experiencing conflicts around different per- spectives. Amazingly, this book only uses the pronoun “they” to refer to both Mel and Mo, and the illustrations are androgynous enough that Mel and Mo can represent any gender. This book is simply written and good
for Kindergarten to Grade 2 early readers to practice their skills. In the language curricu- lum, this book lends itself well to the specific expectation 1.4 in Oral Language. Students
46 ETFO VOICE | WINTER 2022
and learns that in all things there must be balance. He comes to know there are two fac- es, Light and Dark. The dream world teaches Lucas that all things are possible. His friends Amy One Sky and Sally Whitebird help him on his journey to see how his people under- stand the universe. His wood carvings, masks and relationships are all impacted by his new knowledge and understanding. Him Standing can be used in an interme-
diate classroom in literacy, social studies and visual arts. It provides insight into Ojibway culture and beliefs. It leaves the reader think- ing about the connections and relationships of all things and spirits, seen and unseen, and the power of your dreams. Stories published by Indigenous authors are knowledges to be shared. Educators can support this book by inviting an elder from the Ojibway commu- nity to teach cultural knowledge and to share their perspectives. This is a beautiful story illustrating the gift of carrying on legacy and traditions.
Courtney Morgan is a member of the Peel Teacher Local.
can listen to this book as a read aloud and demonstrate their understanding through a retelling activity. Expectation 1.6 can be touched upon as well by asking students to make a personal connection with the story. Teachers can use this book as a jumping-off point to discuss different kinds of people and how to work through conflicting ideas. Mel and Mo’s Marvelous Balancing Act is
the perfect story to begin discussing the over- all expectation A1 in Grade One Social Stud- ies. Students in Grade 1 learn about people in the community and how their roles relate to who they are and how changes in circum- stance affect people in various ways. In this story, two creative types who make umbrellas and perform for crowds had to adjust their work after a change in their community. Despite their differences, Mel and Mo
end up repairing their relationship and working together to overcome an obstacle. The story demonstrates creativity and per- severance and promotes an understanding that people who seem vastly different can still work well together. It is a great book for beginners and there are many curriculum connections for educators.
Jessica Colafranceschi is a member of the Peel Teacher Local.
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