Storm Boy

by Owen Paul Lewis, Paul Owen Lewis (Illustrator)

After a violent seastorm, a Haida prince washes ashore in the supernatural realm of the strange and colossal killer whale people. There his spiritual journey begins. Powerful illustrations make stunning use of northwest coast Native American motifs to create a compelling atmosphere of mystery and displacement. Over 50,000 copies in print! 1996 American Book Award winner 1995 Best Children's Book of the Pacific Northwest 1996 Washington State Governor's Award winner

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American, Indigenous, Fiction, Mythology, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Kalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good example of a story that properly uses the its illustrations. There are many elements in the images which aren't specifically addressed in the text. I really enjoyed when the images provided details of how the chief's son returned to the human world but that wasn't specifically written in the narrative.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Award winning with stunning illustrations. The story was a little hard to follow but the authors notes at the back cleared up a few questions. Worth seeking out. This month I’ve read 25+ indigenous children’s books and this one was the best illustrated.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without the Author's Note at the end, I would have been left with too many questions. But Lewis took that opportunity to give readers a glimpse into another country.

Of course, I loved the art.

[Emily]

I loved the illustrations. The story was simple, but because the illustrations were so powerful it still worked. It encouraged you to contemplate the pictures and fill in the blanks of the story in a self-guided, exploratory way - kind of a nice break from picture books that feed you the entire story. I also appreciated the author's note, which added depth and gave room to continue thinking and learning.

I'm not giving this book a rating because I'm not sure how Indigenous communities feel about it, and I think that it's their voices that should provide the primary judgements. Here is what I found in relation to this topic - Paul Owen Lewis is a non-Native man. He notes that this book was "carefully composed entirely of Native story elements both in its narrative and art" and references the Haida and Tlingit tribes specifically as inspiration. He thanks three people by name for their assistance - one married to a well-respected Kwakwaka'wakw woman, one of Norwegian descent who makes artwork "positively received by local [Washington State and Alaska] Native American artists" but more negatively received by the British Columbian First Nations upon whose art forms his work is primarily based (see "About Humanity, not Ethnicity?" by Alice Marie Campbell), and a third that I could not find much information about. A lesson plan for this book is included on Strong Nations' website (an Indigenous owned store & publishing house). Debbie Reese (tribally enrolled, Nambé Pueblo) appears somewhat critical of Paul Owen Lewis's "Frog Girl." So basically, my search for more info was inconclusive. My personal conclusion on this topic - It's entirely possible that Paul Owen Lewis worked closely with Indigenous groups and received their blessing on this project. I would hate to make assumptions and judge him negatively if this is the case. Personally, I enjoyed the book. But - It's also entirely possible that he did not consult with appropriate groups, and it could be problematic in ways that I'm not aware of, so I'm hesitant to 100% wholeheartedly recommend it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

TL;DR - it's an interesting book with beautiful illustrations. If you want to read it just for fun, go for it. If you are looking specifically for a book that relays a truly traditional Native story or is written by an Indigenous author (ie, for a school unit or a reading diversity challenge), you should look somewhere else. I'd be curious to hear Haidi and Tlingit (as well as other Northwest Coast of North American Native groups) opinions on this piece.

[Marquisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young boy that gets lost in a storm. The boy has all these magical adventures with all these mystical creatures then when the time comes the creatures see he is sad and tell him if he wants to he can return home. The boy then says yes and returns home to tell his story. His family is so relived but it is come to find out the boy was gone a lot longer than one day like he thought he was gone from his family for one year.

This book is a great way to introduce students to folk stories or myths. This is great for first through fifth grade. This book is too hard for emergent readers and their might be too many concepts for them to grasp. This book is however great for early to fluent readers. The book has an easy sense of vocabulary and also has wonderful images to cue along as you read. I could see this book being a read aloud. you could also use this book as part of unit on myths. I believe myths align with some of the common core standards. Overall I think this book could be used in many different ways in the classroom across all age groups but you'll just have to read it to find out.

[Kortney Rupprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in an unknown village off the Northwest Coast, a Haida prince went fishing alone when a giant storm appears. He gets washed ashore, but when he awakens everything is unfamiliar, and the people of this new land are colossal. The people take the boy in and teach them their ways, but the boy still missed his home so the chief tells him what to do if he wants to return. The boy does as the chief instructs and the next moment he returns home from the depths of the ocean on a killer whale- which the illustrations elude to being one of the colossal men. The third person point-of-view and simple text, combined with the bold, formline illustrations give a glimpse into the folklorical nature of Alaskan Native storytelling.

AK: Haida, Traditional Clothing, Totem Poles, Killer Whales, Canoe

Activity: Discuss other stories that your students have heard that deal with humans transforming into animals or vice versa.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully illustrated book of a Pacific Northwest Native American boy who gets swept away to sea during a terrible storm. He spends a day with strange villagers (that turn out to be killer whales) who exchange the teachings of each others songs and dances. He soon misses his own family and desires to return home, and these strangers help him find his way back. After washing up on the shore of his own village, he learns he has been gone for an entire year and his family rejoices in his return. Beautiful illustrations and wonderful myth.

[Brendan Aggeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm Boy draws on the story traditions of First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest, telling the story of a boy who is cast adrift by a storm while fishing, and washes ashore in a village of orca spirits. Reading this with a more experienced eye, I worry that it's an example of cultural appropriation because the author is white. But the story is at least presented respectfully, and the book gives readers a valuable glimpse into the traditions it draws on. A glimpse that might entice them to learn more, and see how the peoples they come from are faring nowadays.

[Julie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm Boy is another wonderfully and illustrated book by Paul Owen Lewis. This is a story about a boy who is lost a sea and enters the world below the water only to find out there are groups of beings down there very much like his own on the surface. The way the two interact and learn from each other is inspirational. Children need to learn to work with others who are different than them, and to know that it is a good to see the perspective of others.

[Linda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had a chance to work with Paul Owen Lewis this week as he works in summer school. He is so interesting on both a personal and professional level. He did a presentation for students about how he does the amazing illustrations. Very talented children's author.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

This bright and glossy book looks a like beautiful depiction of coastal First Nations cultures, but in the author’s attempt to depict “universal themes … in the rich oral traditions and bold graphic art of the Haida, Tlingt, and other Native peoples” (Author’s Note, 2nd to last page, no #s) he has failed to recognise that different First Nations have their own distinct and specific traditions. A Tlingt staff member commented that her grandmother had a blanket with the same design as shown “but we would never have used those colours as we did not have any materials to make those dyes.” These books cannot be considered as authentic indigenous resources because of such inaccuracies, because the author is not a member of the any of the cultures involved, and because of an obvious lack of significant consultation with the First Nations peoples whose cultures are being depicted.
In fact, as this book is being presented as a legitimate Indigenous story while it clearly is not, it is an example of cultural appropriation and should only be used as such.

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reminded me greatly of another picture book I've read, Frog Girl, and funnily enough they are by the same author/illustrator! (Silly me lol). This was a really cool story of a Haidu prince (as the author later describes him) who goes overboard during a storm and finds himself in the land beneath, where he is treated with respect and taught their special dances. They know he misses home so help him return to the surface, where he learns he has been gone a year (for one day below). There is a section at the end where the author breaks down the story into 3 parts according to the 3 stages of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey (separation/initiation/return), and he breaks things down further in this stages in reference to the plot and the illustrations by explaining more about the indigenous legends he has drawn on to create this story.

The storm boy is hosted by killer whales, who have their skins hanging on their walls.

[Jane Vellichor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fine example of a Northwest Coast rite of passage folktale. The three rites of passage unique to these lore are; separation, initiation, and return. This are discussed further in the back of the book. Another Lewis story that involves this rite of passage is Frog Girl.
Both the story and the illustrations are bold and magical.

[Samantha Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing beautiful book about the Tlingit culture. Good moral of the story, illustrations are absolutely capturing. The information depicted in this book through the stories are heartwarming and give a glimpse into a deeper meaning.

[Brandon Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Owen Lewis is one of my favorite book writers. He is actually a family friend of my best friend growing up and I got to meet him and get a copy of this book. This book has very good illustrations. He has a clear PNW touch on all of his books.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive all around. Great story well told with truly fantastic illustrations

[Bibimbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations are 10/10 and this is an awesome book to support learning about indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest.

[Tara Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful images!

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oops, read the wrong Storm Boy. This one had its merits, though.

[Aly Langer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm boy. Myth.The teaching point of this book is to help students learn about myths and folktales while having an easy read book to guide them through it.

[Katharine Grubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Author’s Note at the end is fantastic.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book on a trip to Alaska years ago. I read it to my 3, 4, 5th graders each year. The pictures make the story come to life!

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures are bold and beautiful.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale in the spirit of the Haida & Tinglit First Peoples tribes. It has an authentic art style. At the end of the picture book for children, it has an explanation for teens and adults.

[Anna Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Storm Boy
Author: Paul Owen Lewis
Illustrator:
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): family, friends, acceptance
Opening line/sentence:” A chief’s son went fishing alone,”
Brief Book Summary:
This story is about a chief’s son who went fishing by himself. While he was fishing a huge storm came and knocked his canoe over. He ended up in a peculiar new village where he was welcomed by the people ho lived there. Everyone exchanged stories, songs, and dances but when they boy begins to miss his home, he is taken back to his native land. Once he arrives back home everyone is overjoyed because they thought he had died in the storm.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
George Hunt (Books for Keeps No. 100, September 1996)
A thunderstorm off the Pacific coast of America hurls a chief's son into the ocean and carries him to a realm of giants where he exchanges stories, songs and dances with his hosts. When he begins to long to see his own people again, he's carried back on a magical journey home. The story is spare in its details but mythological in its power. In this enthralling picture book, a short, brilliant text and intensely dramatic illustrations combine to create a tale which held my listeners rapt and left them full of unanswerable questions. An absolutely wonderful book. Category: Junior/Middle. . ...., Barefoot, 4.99 pbk. Ages 8 to 10.
(PUBLISHER: Barefoot (Bristol:), PUBLISHED: 1996.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Janice Del Negro (Booklist, Sept. 15, 1995 (Vol. 92, No. 2))
An adaptation from traditional oral sources of the Haida and Tlingit peoples of the northwest coast of North America, this adventure story concerns a chief's young son who is thrown from a canoe and finds himself on the shore of a strange village. Welcomed as a "son of a chief from above," the boy joins the welcome celebration, learns the dances of his hosts, and teaches his rescuers the dances of his own people. When he returns to his native village, he is greeted with joy because he was believed drowned. Because the narrative style is direct and concrete and the book design is so effective (the type is large and readable; the paintings fill double-page spreads), the tale is worth reading aloud. The artwork is powerful and arresting: large geometric shapes and strong details in red, white, and black reflect the ceremonial art of the Haida and Tlingit. Extensive notes are provided. Category: For the Young. 1995, Beyond Words, $14.95. Ages 6-9.
(PUBLISHER: Beyond Words Pub. ;Distributed to the book trade by Publishers Group West (Hillsboro Or.:) ([Emeryville Calif.]:), PUBLISHED: c1995.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of these reviews are very similar in that they are short and concise. One thing that stood out to me was when George Hunt, the first reviewer, said “The story is spare in its details but mythological in its power”. I agree with that statement because I think the story really shows that family is important and when we come across new people we should be welcoming and open to them even though there was not that much text. The second review goes into more detail about the illustrations than the first, which is always nice. One thing I really liked about the second review was that Janice made it a point to say this book would be a great read aloud. For teachers looking at book reviews, that is definitely one thing they want to know.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
As the reviews said, there is not an overwhelmingly amount of text but for this story it works well. The words are large and in black, which makes it easy for children to follow along with the story. As far as illustrations go, the pictures are mainly on one side of the page while the text is on the other. However, there are a few double page spreads. The colors the illustrator uses are mostly dark with pops of red.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
For this story I would connect this to our art lesson. So, during art, I would have each child draw a picture of a new place that they have come up with. In other words, I would have the children use their imagination to make up, create, and draw a new place that they would like to visit. Similar to the chief’s son ending up at a new village. Then I would have each child present their places by briefly explaining their place and why they would want to visit there.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoo! This book was definitely unforgettable. The story is very fast and upbeat. It moves quickly, so it keeps your attention the whole way through. This story involved a little boy, the Chief's son who gets lost in a storm in the sea. Once he awakes, he finds himself surrounded by strange people and an unfamiliar surroundings. The illustrations of these strange people was quite frightening and made me a little nervous as I flipped through the pages. The Chief's son had an amazing time with the strangers and they were so welcoming towards the young boy. After a little bit of enjoying each others' company and getting to know each other, the Chief's son started to get homesick. The strangers with the power of magic transferred the boy back to his home, but a year later. I'm not sure what this book could teach a child except for the fact that this book follows many of the Native American literature traits. This book would be an excellent example of Native American literature. The characters, the wording of the story, and the illustrations are a great representative of the Native American culture.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that began our quest to read everything by Paul Owen Lewis. My first-graders at school were reading it and enthralled with it, and when I glanced at it, I was amazed by the illustrations.

This is the story of a Haida chief's son who gets lost in a storm and is sheltered by the Orca people. They feed him, clothe him, and they teach each other their songs and dances. The boy began to miss his home and the Orca people return him to his family.

The final two pages of the book detail the imagery and meaning found in each of the paintings and is as valuable as the story and paintings themselves.

This is a beautiful book, delightful, and very educational. It would make a wonderful addition to any northwest home and classroom. I would LOVE to find it translated into Spanish so that I can share more of the culture of my home with my cousins in Argentina! Perhaps I should just translate it myself...

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storm Boy is a story drawn from Haida , Tlingit, and other Native people from the Northwest Coast of North America. It is more than a fun story, it is an introduction to another culture. At under 30 pages long, Storm Boy tells a complete hero's journey; venturing from home to a strange new word, with animals that are human-like, and learning something he can share when he returns home.

Storm Boy is one of the most interesting picture books I've read thus far. I expected a lengthier story but was pleasantly surprised how satisfied I was with the sparse language and the grand adventure it took me on. It is clear that the illustrations were meant to tell the story more than the words were. The pictures have a great amount of detail and cultural influence.

[Anne Lundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was very clear and straightforward. I think this story could be shared with kindergartners and above. I think the story can easily capture a child's imagination-animals are like people, but when they leave their homes they put on their "animal cloaks" to appear like animals.

The end notes were also clear and interesting. The author provided explanations of how the tale fits with Joseph Campbell's hero theory-separation, initiation, and return. I also liked how the author clearly explained his artwork choices and how the native Pacific Northwest peoples thought of animals.

The artwork is clear and bold, but the faces of the humans look stiff and a bit unnatural.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased this book during my child's author visit in 2001. The appeal of northwest Native art and influence spoke to me. The folktale of a boy lost in a storm and transported to a spirit village where he experiences and enjoys another world (totem images). He is then carried back by home by an Orca. Whether vision quest or spiritual experience, it spoke to many and won the Pacific Northwest Award, among others.