Storm Boy [Paperback]

Owen Paul Lewis (Author), Paul Owen Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

After a violent seastorm, a Haida prince washes ashore in the supernatural realm of the strange and colossal killer whale people. There his spiritual journey begins. Powerful illustrations make stunning use of northwest coast Native American motifs to create a compelling atmosphere of mystery and displacement. Over 50,000 copies in print! 1996 American Book Award winner 1995 Best Children's Book of the Pacific Northwest 1996 Washington State Governor's Award winner

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lewis draws on folkloric and artistic traditions of the Pacific Northwest in this tale about a boy who lands in a coastal village after a violent storm throws him from his boat. "Totem-like motifs in the boldly colored and sharply defined artwork provide drama," wrote PW. Ages 5-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 6^-9. An adaptation from traditional oral sources of the Haida and Tlingit peoples of the northwest coast of North America, this adventure story concerns a chief's young son who is thrown from a canoe and finds himself on the shore of a strange village. Welcomed as a "son of a chief from above," the boy joins the welcome celebration, learns the dances of his hosts, and teaches his rescuers the dances of his own people. When he returns to his native village, he is greeted with joy because he was believed drowned. Because the narrative style is direct and concrete and the book design is so effective (the type is large and readable; the paintings fill double-page spreads), the tale is worth reading aloud. The artwork is powerful and arresting: large geometric shapes and strong details in red, white, and black reflect the ceremonial art of the Haida and Tlingit. Extensive notes are provided. Janice Del Negro --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582460574
• ISBN-13: 978-1582460574
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, beautiful book, December 4, 2001

By 

Jane Bedinger (Seattle) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Storm Boy (Hardcover)

People will be framing the artwork from this book fifty years from now. And it's one of my son's favorite books. Great for reading aloud, one of the books you keep reaching for. A classic story, well told and beautifully rendered with images that are faithful to the actual traditions and styles of the Haida and Tlingit people. So it's not just "mind candy" -- it's an introduction to a culture.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I simply fell in love with the artwork and its young hero., January 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Storm Boy (Hardcover)

Paul O. Lewis does a great service to children by using a scholarly approach to his young hero. Giving us not only rich and evocative artwork but portraying the ancient tale of the mythic hero with fresh and innocent eyes is a wonderful gift. Readers seeking the beauty of a children's book that provides an uplifting experience and faithful cultural feeling will fall in love with this book just as I have. -V.S.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for 3-4 year olds, June 18, 2007

By 

Lesley Watson (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Storm Boy (Paperback)

I orginally bought a copy of this book for my eldest son in 1997 on a visit home to Vancouver Island. My younger son, aged 3, discovered it in the bookshelf and absolutely loves this story and wants to read it nearly every night. It has all the elements of a great children's storybook - the illustrations are lush and vibrant, with great attention to historical, cultural and artistic detail. The story is simple, with minimal text - half of the story is alluded to via the illustrations. The boy accidentally finds himself in a parallel supernatural undersea world, and eventually returns to his own village bringing spiritual gifts to his people. I will definately be buying a copy of Frog Girl. More please...