Status
Available
Call number
Call number
JP ROB
Collection
Description
"One summer day, Lauren and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they've arrived, the children decide to fish for dinner while Moshom naps. They are in their canoe in the middle of the lake when the water around them begins to swirl and crash. They are thrown overboard and when Lauren surfaces she sees her brother being pulled away by the Memekwesewak--creatures who live in and around water and like to interfere with humans. Lauren must follow the Memekwesewak through a portal and along a watery path to find and bring back James. But when she finally comes upon her brother, she too feels the lure of the Memekwesewak's song. Something even stronger must pull them back home"--
Genres
Publication
Tundra Books (2023), 52 pages
Original language
English
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
Two youngsters become part of a legend of one of the indigenous peoples of Canada. It means being drawn into the world of strange beings and becoming part of their dance until they were rescued by the constant beat of Grandfather's drum. A fine story beautifully rendered and shared with family and
The illustrations by Maya McKibbin are fun, dreamlike, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
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others.The illustrations by Maya McKibbin are fun, dreamlike, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
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LibraryThing member JanesList
I received this book as part of the LibraryThing EarlyReviewer program. This book is BEAUTIFULLY illustrated - bright colors and new details to notice every reading. My 7 year old is a bit cautious about scary things, so I wasn't sure at first if they would be ok with "little people" (memekwesewak)
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taking the children to a magical place. I started by reading them the author's note that explained who the memekwesewak are, and then we read the book together and they declared it "AWESOME". They liked doing the sound of the drum that called the children back to their grandfather, and they loved the illustrations, especially of the children travelling between worlds. Our whole family likes this book and we are happy to have it in our home library. Also, my kiddo is nonbinary so was especially excited to read that the illustrator is two-spirit. Show Less
LibraryThing member eo206
The Song that Called them Home is a gorgeous picture book. The story centers around two children that decide to take their moshom's (grandfather) canoe out to catch fish. While out on the lake the kids experience a vortex and meet Memekwesewak (swimming ghost like creatures). Lauren swims down into
The book is printed on nice thick paper with full-page color illustrations. The pictures are immersive and draw the reader into the story. One review said cinematic which is an apt description of the illustrations. The book is nicely bound and will hold up to many readings. I appreciate when advance review books come fully bound and full color since reading is more than just words for young children.
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their world to find her brother. Their grandpa is waiting for them and calls them home. The book is printed on nice thick paper with full-page color illustrations. The pictures are immersive and draw the reader into the story. One review said cinematic which is an apt description of the illustrations. The book is nicely bound and will hold up to many readings. I appreciate when advance review books come fully bound and full color since reading is more than just words for young children.
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LibraryThing member stacypilot
What a wonderful book to use in a classroom when the topic is about Canadian legends, indigenous people and comparative stories of “little people” from around the world. The Author’s Note at the end adds important background information. Illustrations are excellent especially in depicting
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water and fire. I received a copy for review from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. Thanks! Show Less
LibraryThing member laVermeer
THE SONG THAT CALLED THEM HOME by celebrated Indigenous author David A Robertson provides a valuable opportunity for non-Indigenous readers to discover a new form of storytelling.
Despite their moshom's warning, Lauren and James are lured away by the Memekwesewak. Their moshom waits faithfully with
I enjoyed this colourful picture book. The cartoon-like images of the children are complemented by the eerie, fantastic forms of the Memekwesewak. The story reminded me of Sendak's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. If your young readers are ready to move on to newer, more diverse books, THE SONG THAT CALLED THEM HOME is a great selection. It belongs in school and public libraries, and elementary teachers building Indigenous collections will want it for their classroom libraries, too.
Despite their moshom's warning, Lauren and James are lured away by the Memekwesewak. Their moshom waits faithfully with
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his drum for the day the children will return — if only they are able.I enjoyed this colourful picture book. The cartoon-like images of the children are complemented by the eerie, fantastic forms of the Memekwesewak. The story reminded me of Sendak's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. If your young readers are ready to move on to newer, more diverse books, THE SONG THAT CALLED THEM HOME is a great selection. It belongs in school and public libraries, and elementary teachers building Indigenous collections will want it for their classroom libraries, too.
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LibraryThing member kaily.
An old, familiar myth, retold with beautiful illustrations. Two young siblings are lured away, in this case, by memekwesewak- the mischievous 'little people' figure found in various indigenous (and obviously other cultures) traditional story telling. It takes the love and commitment of their family
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to call them back home. It's hard to not read this and compare it to many modern indigenous people who are trying to reconnect with their ancestors in the wake of colonization/residential schools/60s scoop, but for young readers, it's a beautifully illustrated story about the power of love and family. I only wish that there was an audio recording of the songs out there on the net- it would be an awesome accompaniment and make read aloud that much better! Show Less
LibraryThing member vivirielle
I love picture books that share Indigenous stories. They are a great way to connect young readers with these stories. Like many others of the same nature, this book has beautiful, expressive illustrations. I recommend reading the author's note first for readers who are not familiar with stories of
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the Memekwesewak. Show Less
LibraryThing member ASTribe
The Song That Called them home by David A. Robertson is a wonderful addition to our small Tribal Library. Young readers will enjoy the children's magical adventure with the Memekwesewak. The story is brought to life with beautiful illustrations. The dancing, singing & the thum thump will keep the
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younger ones wanting to turn the page to see what's next. Show Less
LibraryThing member BurlingtonComLibrary
This is a beautiful book. The artwork throughout is simply amazing. It's a wonderfully engaging tale of an indigenous culture. I hope Mr. Robertson writes more about the Cree.
My issue is that I think the editor missed the mix up with the children's characters and names. The younger child is
My issue is that I think the editor missed the mix up with the children's characters and names. The younger child is
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obviously a girl/Lauren and the older a brother/James, yet the narrative flip flops between who is Lauren and who is James. Can someone clarify, please? Show Less
ISBN
0735266700 / 9780735266704