The Legend of the Windigo: A Tale from Native North America - Hardcover

Ross, Gayle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0803718985 ISBN 13: 9780803718982

Publisher: Dial, 1996

Synopsis

Although the Windigo is said to be a horrid monster that walks the earth, is made of stone, stands taller than the trees, and is a ferocious cannibal, the fearful villagers decide not to run away but instead bravely choose to stand their ground.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4-In a village in the North Woodlands, people begin to disappear one after another, and the villagers suspect that the Windigo is responsible. This stone monster with hypnotic eyes feeds on those who meet his gaze and is immune to weapons. When a boy tending the fiery rocks in the elder's sacred lodge realizes that heat breaks stone, he asks if fire might work against the Windigo; the wise ones then put his idea into practice. The monster's heart explodes, and as his ashes scatter, they become mosquitoes-the Windigo's revenge. This retelling differs from sources Ross cites. She provides a more monstrous vision of a nonhuman cannibal. Versions credited to many Northern tribes reflect the dangers of cannibalism resulting from an isolated existence in subarctic wilderness; Ross leaves reasons for the Windigo's cannibalism unexplained. The strength of the text reflects her background as a Cherokee storyteller. Jacob's primitive acrylic paintings give a general sense of tribal living but, like the text, have no clear connection to a particular tribe. There is a great deal of detail within the illustrations, which often lack a sense of space. Some text blocks placed within paintings are distracting. Illustrated borders on full-text pages repeat elements of pictures on opposing pages, but break the flow of the spread. The book is nevertheless a solid purchase due to the strength of the telling.
Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

From the creators of How Turtle's Back Was Cracked (1995) comes a variant of the widespread Windigo tale, which can be heard from the Tlingit of northwest Canada to the Cree of the eastern woodlands. Ross demonstrates her colorful storytelling in a suspenseful tale about the Windigo, a giant stone creature who is ``taller than the tallest tree,'' can ``change his shape at will,'' and ``feeds on the people.'' When people begin to disappear, the Windigo is near. A young boy inspires the people to outwit the flesh-eating Windigo and reclaim their land; this gripping tale captures the imagination from the outset and quickly moves to a dramatic and surprising conclusion that is similar to that of The Windigo's Return (p. 1057) by Douglas Wood. Jacob conjures up appropriately spooky images rendered in deep-toned acrylics. Swirling skies and verdant forests dance around the people in a primitivist style, perfectly partnered with the pace and voice of the storyteller. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dial
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0803718985
• ISBN 13: 9780803718982
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32