Miigweetch NetGalley and Vanita Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is an illustrated children’s book based on an Inuit creation story, translated into English in 1965. It tells of a time long ago when people could turn into animals and animals could turn into people. That’s it. There’s no sweeping journey or saga, simply “telling it how it was.” At the end of the book is a short list of the various animals depicted on the pages.

Other reviewers have noted that the story seems incomplete, that they were left wanting more, and I admit that I laughed heartily when I reached the end of the book because I had read their reviews prior, and I could understand at that moment their disappointment. However, I believe that this dissatisfaction stems more from a cultural difference in storytelling and than from any fault of the author or text; I would wager to guess that the aforementioned reviewers are non-Indigenous and coming from a more Westernized storytelling background. Particularly when it comes to “folk tales,” many Western audiences have been primed to expect a clean tidy ending, maybe with a clearly defined moral in the vein of Aesop’s Fables. However, the majority of Indigenous storytelling does not work this way. Every reader, every listener, is considered as an individual, making it impossible for an author to prescribe a takeaway - that is left up the person reading/listening to the story, because all of our life experiences work together to help us derive meaning from the tale, so no two people will experience it alike. Perhaps the author can take this into consideration and add something small to “tie things together” so as to let audiences know the story has ended.

The illustrations were phenomenal, bold and richly colored, with a distinct style that really “felt” like it was from the North (so I was quite surprised to learn that the artist lives in Ohio!) Overall, this book worked for me. I would recommend it for school libraries, as well as any classroom doing a “World Cultures” or “Multi-Cultural Storytelling” unit. Five out of five stars for me.

Magic Words brings to life an ancient Inuit creation story—a world where humans and animals share bodies and languages, and the imagination realm blends with the physical world. This tale has grown from myth to poem passed down through generations.

Magic Words encourages children to think about how stories shape our understanding of the world and how different cultures explain the mysteries of life.

Discussion Questions:
How does the story explain the origins of the Inuit people?
What do you think the title "Magic Words" suggests about the power of language and storytelling?
How does the book portray the relationship between humans and animals?
Can you think of a creation story from another culture? How is it similar or different to the Inuit story?
Why do you think such stories are passed down through generations?
What can we learn from the Inuit's close relationship with nature?

This lovely picture book is a retelling of an ancient Inuit creation story. This is a folktale of the days when animals could become people and people could become animals and everyone had the same language. Anything one could imagine would come to be. In 1921, the Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen, transcribed these tales as told by the Inuit people. Over four decades later, renowned poet Edward Field took Rasmussen’s translation and created his famous poem. Half a century later the Vanita Books publishing house paired this poem with Mike Blanks creative artwork. His ink line drawings were softened by charcoal tracings and then colored using software. The art is reminiscent of native artwork.

I recommend this short little picture book for children of all ages. Teachers will find it an ideal element in a poetry, folklore or native American social studies unit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the ARC. I appreciate this especially more due to my interest in the Inuit and other native tribes, including prehistoric groups of peoples throughout to modern times.

Magic Words by Edward Field.

And, yes! I knew the moment I saw the first page that this was the work of Mike Blanc again. Brilliant, beautiful illustrations once again. They truly make the book even more powerful than anything I read as a child.

The story of 'Magic Words' is a modern translation of an Inuit story from 1965!!! As a poem it shows the connection the Arctic peoples have with the natural world around them.

I've always enjoyed good prose, poetry being close to the heart.

A lot of people thinks that words are meaningless now and hold no power, but it's a new power, a power that we can join with other voices.

People forget.

Beautiful poem that left me thinking about the future.

A translated version of an Inuit story about the importance of words, and the connection between humans and nature. The illustrations are very nice. The story however was a little short and other than explaining that words are important it doesn’t go into the repercussions when the words are used poorly.

I received an advanced copy or this book through netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Thank-you Netgalley for this ARC-- this is my honest review. This is short book --aimed at children that holds a deeply profound and meaningful message ( which could be useful for some adults as well ) . Translated from the Inuit peoples oral stories -- this short poem -- explains to us that words have deep meaning and consequences once we say them - so we should be careful the words we use.-- but I think you need to read through it a few times --the more you read it the more it sinks into your brain what is being said and the depth of it. The illustrations are beautiful and mimicked after the traditional Inuit style .

This review was made possible via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations are lovely and I will always appreciate the art of translation. However, the book does feel as if it is missing a sense of authenticity that would really make it sing. Perhaps it's a good primer to get students to start thinking more about other cultures, but I'd love to have seen more from it that directly reflects the Inuit perspective.

The illustrations are great and it's a good way to teach children a unique concept and folklore that introduce a concept of magic to little minds.
However, I wish it could've been longer or a story was integrated into the concept.

Wow, this was so beautifully written, the art too was incredible, it suited the book so well, it’s all so magical, I’ve never read any Inuit legend and this book was a nice introduction to it, I’m sure the kids are going to love it! I will definitely be recommending it!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

This little book has amazing artwork and a timely story. It is so important to understand how powerful words can be, and reading Magic Words can open that discussion. Definitely recommend!
The 5 and 7 year boys loved it.
Thanks netgalley and booksgosocial for the arc in exchange for a review.

Wow the art here is just so beautiful. I really liked this book and adore the concept - it’s magical and mythical and just wonderful. I now want to read more Inuit legends and stories. The art really captures the feeling of legends.

My only complaint is that it felt kind of general, like the introduction to a story but the story never comes. It really sets up the atmosphere and storytelling but left me wanting more, like maybe an example of an oral tale - with characters and a simple plot - written out in speaking format.

But all in all still enjoyed this. Really lovely.

The illustrations in this book and the story itself is quite beautiful, however as neither the author or illustrator of this book are indigenous I don't believe it is necessarily their story to tell. I would prefer to read a version of this story told by an Inuit author.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The art: BEAUTIFUL.
The premise: Inspiring.
The execution: Missing something?

I loved this, and if I were still teaching, I would absolutely use this with my students to help inspire them and spark their own creativity. However, based on how the poem ends, I feel like there's something missing in translation. I even read it out loud to see if that changed something, but it didn't. I feel like there's one sentence missing at the end.

That being said, I really enjoyed this and if you have young kids or are a teacher for young children, I'd recommend this.

This book is incomplete and lacked no substance. There was no discussion following reading this book.

Beautiful simple Inuit tale, perfect for any age. Gorgeous illustrations with arctic animals. I especially loved the boat full of all the animals.

Cute little mythology book. Hope there will be more stories about the Inuit. Thank you for sending me this e-ARC.

Magic Words From the Ancient Oral Tradition of the Inuit by Edward Field is a unique offering from Vanita Books. Beautifully illustrated by Mike Blanc, this slim book brings an ancient indigenous creation story to a modern audience through poetic translation. Vanita Books is dedicated to offering unique educational books that engage young readers with other cultures, and 100 percent of the proceeds of their sales go to the charities, such as the Oak Clinic which helps those living with multiple sclerosis.

Magic Words is nationally renowned poet Edward Field’s translation of an ancient Inuit creation story. Originally recorded by Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen in 1921, this story remained in the Harvard Library untouched until Field translated it into English in 1965.

The mixture of Field’s dynamic translation and Mike Blanc’s stunning illustrations helps the reader immerse themselves within this story of creation. Magic Words depicts a time when humans and animals were all one and the same, learning and growing from one another. Blanc’s illustrations capture this dynamic relationship well, bringing home to the reader the interconnectedness of all things that so characterizes Inuit belief.

This stunning book of poetry does justice to the sacred story. While a slim book, the reverent translation and illustration both help transport the reader into a dream state where the real and imagined mingle.
Magic Words From the Ancient Oral Tradition of the Inuit by Edward Field is a unique offering from Vanita Books. Beautifully illustrated by Mike Blanc, this slim book brings an ancient indigenous creation story to a modern audience through poetic translation. Vanita Books is dedicated to offering unique educational books that engage young readers with other cultures, and 100 percent of the proceeds of their sales go to the charities, such as the Oak Clinic which helps those living with multiple sclerosis.

Magic Words is nationally renowned poet Edward Field’s translation of an ancient Inuit creation story. Originally recorded by Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen in 1921, this story remained in the Harvard Library untouched until Field translated it into English in 1965.

The mixture of Field’s dynamic translation and Mike Blanc’s stunning illustrations helps the reader immerse themselves within this story of creation. Magic Words depicts a time when humans and animals were all one and the same, learning and growing from one another. Blanc’s illustrations capture this dynamic relationship well, bringing home to the reader the interconnectedness of all things that so characterizes Inuit belief.

This stunning book of poetry does justice to the sacred story. While a slim book, the reverent translation and illustration both help transport the reader into a dream state where the real and imagined mingle.

The illustrations in Magic Words are absolutely gorgeous. The poem was a bit short, but lovely nonetheless. I didn't want it to end, because I wanted more pictures! A great addition to any bookshelf or young classroom.

Thank you Vanita Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

I loved this. Beautiful translation of an old Inuit poem complemented by evocative illustrations. It was shorter than I anticipated but I appreciated the message, a reflection of stories I had heard in my own culture, as a demonstration of how we we may seem different in our many cultures and languages but are similar in many more ways. And even beyond that, how much we are all a part of nature rather than apart. Would love a copy of this on my shelf!

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one! Although it is a very short book, it features the most beautiful drawings made in traditional Inuit style, and the text is just enough to spark a follow-up conversation with the child regarding other cultures, traditions, and history.
There really should be way more books like this one!