Métis children's author David Bouchard, whose many picture-books with First Nations content include such outstanding titles as The Secret of Your Name: Proud to Be Métis, and Long Powwow Nights, here relates a Cree legend from Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley. Told in verse, it is the tragic love story of Ikciv and Witonia, friends from childhood and sweethearts from the time they first start to think romantically. When Ikciv is called away, with all of the other young men, to go to war, Witonia is inconsolable, eventually dying from her grief. Ikciv, in the meantime, fights like a demon, and returns home to find her dead. Refusing to accept this state of affairs, he sets out to find her, continually crying "Qui Appelle?" (meaning "Who Calls?") in response her still echoing cry for him, on her deathbed.

Although the folklorist in me is glad to learn of this Cree legend (thanks for bringing it to my attention, Gundula!), which has apparently rarely been written down, somehow the poetic narrative here didn't really impress me as much as I'd been expecting. I loved the illustrations by Cree artist Michael Lonechild, and am fascinated by the fact that there are still accounts, to this day, of people in Saskatchewan hearing an eerie cry, "Qui Appelle?" But the story itself left me wanting more... I couldn't quite understand the extremity of Witonia's grief, as Ikciv, although certainly in danger, might still have returned to her. I expect it reveals a decidedly unromantic sensibility on my part, but the idea that being deprived of a loved one's company for a week or two could be so traumatic that it resulted in illness and death, seems rather ridiculous to me. There has to be more to the story, right?

In any case, regardless of one's feelings about the romantic aspects of the tale, it is still an example of a fascinating local folk legend, and is recommended to young readers with an interest in folklore, or Cree culture. ( )

If I could give this superb picture book retelling of the Cree folktale of "Qu'appelle" more than five stars, I would. A famous First Nations love story, a young warrior must leave his betrothed to go to war, and heartbroken by his absence, she dies, calling out his name. According to Cree elders, if you go out on the prairies in Saskatchewan, you can still hear the young warrior searching for his love, calling out "Qui appelle" (who is calling). Although this tale is quite emotional and somewhat sad, David Bouchard has created an amazingly tender and beautiful poetical story of love, loss and remembrance that simply begs to be read aloud, or put into song. I have read other retellings of this legend before, but none of them come even close to the beauty, pathos and sheer loveliness of Bouchard's rendition. And the evocative illustrations (actually prints of paintings) by renowned Cree artist Michael Lonechild make this picture book an absolute treat, one to be shared not only with children, but with anyone interested in First Nations/Native American folklore. According to the cover, David Bouchard first heard the legend of the Qu'appelle Valley (Saskatchewan) as a boy, and I am so glad that he and Michael Lonechild have collaborated on this absolutely stunning picture book. Highly recommended for both children and adults!! ( )

A Cree legend that depicts the fight against the Blackfoot from the point of view of a young man who has recently become engaged.

While I had trouble following the poem at times, I still enjoyed the overall love story. You could feel the passion and heartache that both of the young Indian lovers were experiencing.

This book could be used to introduce middle readers to poetry with simple and easy to understand themes while exposing them to stories of other cultures. ( )