The Thundermaker

by Alan Syliboy

In this book, Big Thunder teaches his son, Little Thunder, about the important responsibility he has making thunder for his people. Little Thunder learns about his Mi'kmaw identity through his father's teachings and his mother's traditional stories.

Syliboy's spectacular, vibrant artwork brings the story of Little Thunder to life.

Genres: Indigenous, Childrens, Canada, Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2015

About the author

Artist Alan Syliboy studied privately with Shirley Bear and attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where twenty-five years later, he was invited to sit on the Board of Governors. Alan looks to the indigenous Mi'kmaw petroglyph tradition for inspiration and develops his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms. This is his second children's book. He lives in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Reviews

[dobbs the dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, as well as Alan Syliboy's art installation of the Thundermaker. I love his style of art, I'm so happy that he wrote this book.

[Travel By Bookmarks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Mi’kmaw picture book, based on Alan Syliboy’s mixed-media exhibit The Thundermaker, captures the story of Little Thunder. In this creative book, Big Thunder teaches his young son, Little Thunder, about his important responsibility to make thunder for his people. This imaginative children’s book follows Little Thunder’s journey to his Mi’kmaw identity through his father’s teachings as well as his mother’s traditional stories.

The Thundermaker is an interesting and well-written tale. I love that the story has themes of learning, growing, and caring for one’s community. The book was also engaging and included other positive themes. The version of The Thundermaker that I have contains the translation of the book in Mi’kmawi’simk/
the Mi’kmaw language (I believe) and I love that. While many of the popular Indigenous books are in English, I love that this one wasn’t just solely in English. It made me think about how most of the cities we have in Atlantic Canada are not named their original Indigenous names, just like the word “Canada” isn’t, and I enjoyed seeing this step towards reclaiming their language. I think more books should follow suit.

This book covered multiple aspects of Indigenous spiritual beliefs within the story cleverly. Although I found some of the details of the accompanying art confusing, the illustrations in this book are truly mesmerizing. The beautiful, vivid artwork really brings the story of Little Thunder to life on each page. The book’s fast-paced yet insightful tone is beautifully complemented by the artwork and colours. Indigenous children’s books are my favourite kinds of children’s books, and they are one of my most read genres. Although this specific one wasn’t fully my cup of tea, I do genuinely believe that other readers can benefit from and enjoy this book and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Anyone can learn from and enjoy this engaging culturally rich read. I recommend this picture book to those looking for a short, creative, and unique read.

#freebook #sponsoredasayouthambassador

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a young boy, Little Thunder, growing up and learning to become The Thundermaker. Readers learn the role of thunder and lightning in rejuvenating the earth along with him. As the boy grows up he learns how recognize the seasons through the movement of animals, how to catch fish, and hunt. Storytelling is most important aspect of this life. It's how he learns to be Mi'kmaw.
"Giju [his mother] explains how one cycle rolls into the next. She says that characters always reappear with a new teaching or a new way of telling an old one.
His mother talks in pictures, and these pictures transport him back in time. There he can find his place as part of this cycle.
When Little Thunder's mother finishes a story, his father picks it up, telling of great hunting trips and how to think like a rabbit or a fox. He tells Little thunder how to know where the animals will be and how to have real respect for these creatures."
Alan Syliboy is a Mi’kmaw artist, filmmaker, musician and social justice advocate. His art is inspired by Mi'kmaw petroglyph and quill weaving traditions. He works in acrylic and mixed media.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has beautiful illustrations. I love the colors, and the illustrations that brings the book together and ties the story in with the illustrations.
The main takeaway I got from this book is the importance of responsibility he has for making thunder for his people. Little Thunder learns about his identity through his fathers teaching's and his mothers traditional stories.
I really liked the meaning and importance of this book and story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thundermaker is an interesting story, and Alan Syliboy tells it well. The petroglyph inspired art works incredibly well. The story has messages about maturity, learning, responsibility, and taking care of your community and environment.

I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good picture book. I hope to read more from Alan Syliboy in the future.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Syliboy's telling of Thundermaker creatively teaches personal growth, the fixing of mistakes with help, reciprocity in all things, and family/cultural values. I look forward to offering this as a read-aloud at Emerald City Comicon.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that kiddo chose this at the library. Syliboy's artwork and storytelling is so wonderful.

[Ivana Amidzic]

Life sprouts from the Earth's scar.