I love the enthralling and magical concept of Inuit folklore but the execution of this book fell flat for me—and perhaps it's due to the fact that this text is a modern translation from notes recorded by a Danish explorer in 1921. So, whilst this book states that this is from an ancient oral Inuit tale, I don't know if there are any Inuit involvement with this book in terms of text or publication. (Although the ending felt abrupt and certain texts felt disconnected and jarring so...)

Not to say I didn't enjoy this book. The text felt more like poetry rather than a story. Furthermore, the accompanying art style is captivating and whimsical. However, I feel incorporating actual Inuit artist may have been a better choice.

I believe it's important to form an understanding and appreciation of cultures therefore if you're looking for an Inuit tale, I would recommend reading books written by Inuit authors (e.g. Arctic Stories by Michael Kusugak).

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations by Mike Blanc in Magic Words are beautiful. The full color pictures and simple line drawings are a delight for grown ups and children. I appreciate this children’s book about an Inuit creation story. However, the book itself is extremely short. By the time you get into it, the book is over. The words are Edward Field’s English translation of Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen’s writings which were supposedly told to him by the Inuit people. That is a lot of non-Inuit people involved in an Inuit story. It would have been much better to go speak with Inuit people about the creation story, credit them, and have them add more to the story. While the illustrations are 5 stars for me, the failed attempt to convey a culture from that culture gets 0 stars.

Short and sweet, Magic Words is a brilliant mix of reality and myth showing the power of words. Although the concept may be difficult to understand, the vibrant colors of the images can easily capture the eyes of young children. Each image helps relay the meaning of the lines of the poem. My only concern is that some illustrations may be frightening to some kids. But, as an adult, I find everything strangely captivating.

Wow, the illustrations are so beautiful! They grab you right away and draw you in! The story is simple but powerful. I think this is a wonderful story for both children and adults.

Let me start by saying the illustrations in this book are jaw-dropping, breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL. It's like candy for your eyes while honoring a unique culture. I love the spreading of a traditional Inuit poem and bringing awareness to a culture that not many have learned about. Children will adore the magical feeling of this book. However, I think this book needs to be paired with some facts or background. While it is a powerful poem to understand how Inuit people see the world, kids will view this book simply as made up or fantasy without any facts or background information to pair with it. While it can be a beloved tale and introduce them to the culture, I think they will struggle to make the connection with this book being about real people and their beliefs.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

First off I'll say the art in this was beautiful. But I can't bring myself to appreciate it more than that. All this does is say that once upon a time, people could be animals and animals could be people. There wasn't a set character to follow and see that sort of journey. It just says this is how things used to be, and that was it. If this had a specific character or journey to follow I think it would have been better. As it is, I don't really see kids being abe to connect with it too much

Magic Words is a modern translation (1965) of a very old Inuit creation story by Edward Field. The art in this picture book is stunning. I love learning about different cultures and this poem is the first story I have read about Inuit culture. I really recommend this picture book as it is beautiful, however, I have been trying to find reviews of the translation and artwork by those part of the Inuit culture but have not found one yet. Please let me know if you did!

Thanks for the chance to review this book in exchange for honest feedback. First, I will say that the illustrations for this book are incredible. I really thought they were stunning and captured the imaginative nature of the text. The downside of this book is that it is abrupt in its ending. I understand that it is a translation, but I am just not sure if this book captures the story strongly enough. The ending leaves me wishing there were just maybe a few pages more? Perhaps to tell the reader about the translation or the people from which it came.

Inuit Cosmology, the spiritual narrative of how the world came to be and the place people have in it, is rich and kind, and it has interested me for some time.

Drastically different to the origin myths and legends from Europe and Asia, which we may find more familiar, in the Inuit origin myth there are no mother or father figures and the cosmos is ruled by no one.

In this cosmology, language is how we interpret the world, recreating it. Hence language in itself is an act of creation and our place in the world is defined and created by it. With such emphasis on the spoken world, it’s not difficult to understand that words hold magic—both, literally and metaphorically. Such magic is at the center of this beautiful Inuit folktale: Magic Words.

Recorded and first translated to Danish by Knud Rasmussen during his 1920 expedition to the Arctic Circle, now translated to English by Edward Field and Illustrated by Mike Blanc, Magic Words recounts a time before we’ve forgotten how to speak the true language of the world. A time when word and reality were one.

I loved this folktale poem.

When you read it, take your time enjoying each of the words, feeling their magic course through your eyes, your mind, your tongue, if you read it aloud.

Feel the bear, the caribou, the fish, the rabbit, the wolf… let them be one with you again, rediscovering the magic stored in their names.

Take a moment as the magic and power of your mind awakens with the words.

“A word spoken by change
Might have strange consequences”

You just have to let them be, strange and beautiful, as eerie and colorful as the illustrations filling the pages with its own kind of magic.

Folktales are powerful, they channel the essence of other people, their vision of the world. This one is very effective in that regard, and for that, it can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Short, sweet, simple and complex, as the many magic words it holds inside.

Really cute and deep story. This isn’t just for kids but also for adults that will appreciate the stpry for more than the literal text.

I love the concept and the illustrations. This feeling of being one with nature, with animals, has faded with time, and I really love stories such as this one that try to remind us that we are one and the same. However, I felt it was too short, that there was more to tell and to learn.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. I could look. at the illustrations all day. My only complaint about the book is that it isn't longer. I'm glad the care was taken to translate it and to create such stunning artwork to accompany the text.

This was a super interesting read! We know little of the Inuit, but my kids and I were totally caught up in their idea of these "magic words" and all the wonderous possibilities. I personally really enjoyed what this book means in regards to its history, being passed on through the Inuit's and then shared by Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen and now shared with beautiful illustrations. We really enjoyed this book and I believe it would be the perfect addition to a children's library. It's idea of a world where humans and animals are so intertwined is, I believe, a great tool for children to learn of the connectedness we have with the natural world.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Just a beautiful picture book for young readers. The artwork is just stunning! I would recommend this book for pre-K through 1st grade.

The art was absolutely gorgeous, but I'm not sure what the book was trying to say. It felt more like a prologue to a story that an actual story. Maybe it was trying to give a flavor to the magic that infuse Inuit beliefs?

This poem by Edward Field is a retelling of an Inuit story about the way people and animals used to be and the power of words in ancient times. The poem is set in a beautiful children's picture book. The actual poem is very short, but the illustrations done by Mike Blanc really make the book! They are gorgeous and truly bring the book and the story to life..

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

The publisher's blurb explains that the text comes from expedition notes recorded by Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen in 1921. Edward Field got a copy from the Harvard Library and translated it into English.
This is a tale about an Inuit myth of the North in a time long ago. The illustrations are superb and in keeping with the little I know of their art from the totems.
My only caveat is that it is too short! Hoping for other books in this vein.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Vanita Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
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A retelling of the Inuit creation story. This is a really beautiful book with incredible and very colourful illustrations. A fantastic book for adults and children alike!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I just love it and I keep reading and re-reading it because of the illustrations, they are amazing. It is a beautiful short poem from the Inuit people which is translated by Edward Field and the illustrations that get this poem alive are by Mike Blanc.
I've always been fascinated by this people and their culture, traditions, history and their language which they keep fighting in order to keep it alive. This book is so beautiful and I wish that they had made a longer one with more poems and illustrations.

This is *such* a gorgeous picture book. The artwork is so richly colored. The story ended a little abruptly. Or maybe I just wanted it to be longer. I would definitely buy this for gifting.