Kunu's Basket: A Story from Indian Island. Francis Lee DeCora. Illustrated by Susan Drucker. Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House (Distributed in Canada by Fitzhenry & Whiteside), 2012. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-0-88448-330-4. Subject Headings: Basket making-Fiction. Perseverence (Ethics)-Fiction. Grandfathers-Fiction. Penobscot Indians-Fiction. Indians of North America-Maine-Fiction. Grades 1-3. /Ages 6-8. Review by Meredith Harrison-Lim. *** /4 Reviewed from f&g's.

excerpt:

"What's wrong, Grandson? Why the sad face?"

"Well, I just want to make baskets like you and my dad. I keep trying, but I can't do it."

Muhmam smiled. All the men in the family made baskets. It was something that they were known for on the island. He was glad to see Kunu with the ash strips in his hands.

"Che-gwe, gwos. Come here, my son. I could use help pounding this ash."

Kunu is a young Penobscot boy who is frustrated with his own attempts at making a pack basket, a craft that his family is known for making on Indian Island. Kunu's grandfather takes him under his wing to help him learn the steps required for creating baskets, as well as to show him the importance of passing down knowledge and family traditions. Through sharing tales of his own learning experiences as a child and the use of constant encouragement, Kunu's grandfather guides Kunu in the creation of his first successful basket.

      In Kunu's Basket, readers are introduced to a Penobscot tradition while reading about a grandson's determination and perseverance to master a family-valued skill of basket weaving. This story demonstrates the value of intergenerational relationships, the passing on of family rituals, and the use of encouragement when children are demonstrating the desire to learn new skills and follow in their parents' footsteps. The story's slower pace and frequent mentions of breaks in the building process parallel the underlying message regarding the importance of patience while learning new skills.

      This story is charmingly and realistically illustrated with the use of watercolour and pencil. The depiction of animals interacting with the traditional baskets throughout Kunu's learning process adds lightness and humour to the story.

      Kunu's Basket gives readers an updated view into the life of contemporary American Indians. This book would be a valuable addition to a library's collection as it may familiarize children regarding traditions and cultures that are not their own.

Highly Recommended.

Meredith Harrison-Lim is a MLIS graduate working for the Federal Government in the National Capital Region.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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