The Shaman's Apprentice by Zacharias Kunuk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Out: May 11, 2021
This is an illustrated children's book that takes the reader on a journey with an Inuit Shaman and her apprentice. The pair make a house call to diagnose and treat a man who is laid up in his sickbed. That diagnosis and treatment involves "visiting" a kind of spirit guide who provides them the information needed to understand the man's ailment.
The pictures are beautiful, detailed, and rich in insight into the Inuit way of life. They are full-page illustrations rendered in a painting-like style. The artist is Megan Kyak-Montieth.
The text consists of, at most, a paragraph on each page that opposes the respective illustration, thus making this a book that could easily be read as a bedtime story. It's a simple and straightforward story.
The book explores the interesting issue of how our behaviors and mindset can influence our physical health. Some parents may be more comfortable than others with the supernatural way in which the patient's ailment comes to be understood - i.e. through consultation with a spirit. However, if one is at all prone to buy a book featuring "Shaman" in the title, you're probably not going to be disturbed by the material or the questions that might arise as a result of said material.
I found this book to be interesting and beautifully illustrated. If you're looking for some diversity in what your children are exposed to, you may want to look into it.
View all my reviews
