The Sea Lion: A Story of the Sea Cliff People [Hardcover]

Ken Kesey (Author), Neil Waldman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Called a worthless moonfawn by the chief of the Sea Cliff people, the misshapen orphan Eemook remains an outcast whose cleverness and marvelous carving talents are recognized only by the chief's beautiful daughter. But when a stranger with magical powers appears at the longhouse, the crippled boy has a unique chance to prove himself by defying the stranger and thwarting his evil plan. Full color throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Eemook, the tribe's crippled spoonmaker, has secretly carved a magnificent spoon-handle, which he shows to his friend Princess Shoola. In a mock fight over the object, the pair angers the spirits of the deep. Soon the Lion of the Sea, disguised as a handsome chieftain, arrives and captivates all the women, including Shoola. The monster makes his true identity known only to Eemook, who uses the spoon-handle's magic power to save the tribe. But the beast has already impregnated all the women save Shoola. Their children, left on the rocks to die, become the sea lions of the coast. Employing evocative images and clever phrases, Kesey demonstrates his customarily keen sense for language that so distinguished One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest . But over-emphasis of Eemook's outcast position within the tribe diverts the reader's attention from the powerful relationship between man and nature that is the crux of the story. Also, allusions to sex and drugs might prove awkward for younger children. Waldman's ( Nessa's Fish ; The Highwayman ) stylized borders and dramatic likenesses add an ornamental feel to the pages of this longer folktale. All ages.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6-- Nearly cast into the sea at birth because his mother has died and he is misshapen, young Eemook, lowly spoonmaker for the Sea Cliff People, achieves manhood by piercing the veil of enchantment laid upon his tribe by an evil and powerful spirit. In revealing Eemook, lively and courageous, Kesey also paints some other vivid portraits: fiercely jealous Chief Gawgawnee; Shoola, his daughter, whose friendship with Eemook defies her father's command; and Um-Lalagic, the boy's adoptive grandmother, who makes shadow dances to soothe children and sees truth clearly. Kesey's text is rhythmic and powerful, while Waldman's artwork enhances the sinewy strength of the narrative. Each pair of facing pages is graced by a small illustration. Full palette water-based paintings punctuated with blocks of black cliffs or clouds are contained by frames, or sometimes spring emphatically across the double-spreads. Throughout there are borders with motifs that are thematically unified with the text, and color washes provide a backdrop. Although this tale is told in the tradition of the Northwest Indians rather than coming from their lore, it weaves a powerful spell that leads readers to a magical sense of time and place. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Lib . System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: The Viking Press; 1st edition (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670839167
• ISBN-13: 978-0670839162
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,830,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ken Kesey was born in Colorado in 1935. He founded the Merry Pranksters in the sixties and became a cult hero, a phenomenon documented by Tom Wolfe in his book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. He died in 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, July 7, 2000

By 

Jeremy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sea Lion: A Story of the Sea Cliff People (Hardcover)

Ksey is as stunning a children's writer as he is a novelist. His words coupled with Neil Waldman's stunning watercolors will take you and your child on an immaginative flight through this amazing folk tale.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Amazing!, October 28, 2007

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sea Lion (Paperback)

I am amazed by the this book. I think I'd almost forgot what good writing was! This story about how the Inuits came to know the "sea people" - sea lions is beautifully written and wonderful. I bought this at a budget book store and can't believe it was ever out of print. Just read it, you'll love it!