It is Suvi’s first winter. She is amazed when the Northern Lights appear in the sky. She can’t stop gazing at them. Her Grand-Deer tells her an old Two-legs story: The Lights are Sky Folk, who will snatch away anyone who waves at them!
Old Man Wolf comes prowling and howling. Suvi runs off in fright and loses the herd. All alone, she meets some strange creatures and then Old Man Wolf himself looms out of the snow, waving his tail...
An enchanting story set in the Arctic night.
Suvi and the Sky Folk follows the previous collaboration of Sandra Horn and Muza Ulasowski in ‘I Can’t Hear You! I Can’t See You! Yet again they do not disappoint with Suvi and the Sky Folk showing the talent of both as individuals and a team.
Sandra Horn has based this beautiful tale on that of the belief of the Canadian Inuit people and the story told to children in Norway. It is here that children are told that they must not wave or whistle at the northern lights or they will be snatched away. As Suvi jumps for joy her Grand-deer relays is this message :
“Hush, little Suvi!” her Grand-deer warned.
“It’s the Sky-folk! The Two-legs say if you wave or make a noise, they will swoop down and snatch you away, far beyond the stars, where no moss grows”
I love the tradition and use of generations of deer within this story. It depicts the warmth and knowledge that is passed down. Children can easily relate the love and protection of the herd toward Suvi to that of their own family. Muza Ulasowski gives the emotion within the words perspective, using expressions and actions within her illustrations.
Suvi and the Sky Folk is one of those books that blends beautifully from page to page and keeps you in suspense as you travel the journey. It contains all that a good picture book should, that of clear inviting illustrations, large font that is easy to read and a story that not only invites but educates and intrigues. Sandra Horn has managed to weave magic in such few words, including not only love and warmth but a little bit of suspense and danger with a feel good outcome.
I truly hope it is not the last we see of this author/illustrator partnership. The magic they weave as a team is a delight to behold and an asset to children’s literature.
ISBN: 978-1-63063-395-0
Follow Suvi and the Sky Folk on Facebook:
Learn more about Sandra Horn: www.tattybogle.co.uk
Visit Muza Ulasowski: www.muzadesigns.com.au
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