According to the author’s note, the basis of the poem in this book is the field notes of Danish explore Knud Rasmussen from the 1920s, which Field has translated into English to produce Magic Words. This is a very short book based on Inuit tradition, and a long ago time when according to belief of that indigenous people, humans could turn into animals and vice versa, and both forms could speak. But in a larger sense, this is a book about the power of words.

For a book about the power of words, this is very much a book of few words. But there is power in that economy, which contrasts very nicely with the vibrant colours of Mike Blanc’s illustrations.

“Magic Words” is written in the past tense and essentially a children’s book, but given today’s political climate and loaded words and phrases like liberal, fascist, feminist, cuck, terrorist, snowflake, loser and “shithole countries” (the latter used by the president of the US) being flung about, and hashtags like #metoo helping to build activism, it somehow seems timely. Language is powerful, no matter if considered in the context of indigenous traditional belief or current world politics.

It is also interesting to consider the route that the words of Magic Words have taken: from the oral tradition of a largely preliterate society, to the notes of a Danish man, to being published in English. Words are indeed mysterious and powerful magic.

I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a very straight forward children's book from Inuit legend about the power of words. The artwork is absolutely beautiful and it's a wonderful story.

It is a beautiful illustrated story based on an Inuit oral tradition.

The images along with the short sentences on the page just wow.

Love the illustration in this picture book! Colour and illustration probably appeal more to adults than children though.

Good things come in small packages. Beautifully extravagent pictures enhance this interesting oral tradition bringing the world to life.

This is a simple, straight forward story directly from Inuit legend about the power of words. I was interested in the book because I have family through marriage who are Haida natives of Alaska (not Inuit, a different group of people with a different language entirely). The illustrations are captivating and worthy of spending time with this book just taking in all of the artwork. Such a beautiful book and a nice way to introduce a new culture to children.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley, for the complimentary copy.

Okay, backwards y aside, this is a really beautiful book: not just in pictures but in words. I do love to read traditional stories from other cultures but they are not the easiest books to get hold of and don't seem to get the publicity that bigger name authors do for more 'generic' stories.

This isn't a story in the sense of having a beginning, middle, and end. In fact, you are very likely to get to the final page and wonder: Is that it? Really? But..... Here in, for me at least, lies the true potential of this book. It makes you stop and think. Your mind is busy making connections with knowledge and text...but you end up going back and reading it again, and again.

This book has two main potential classroom uses: literacy and art.

Literacy this is about how traditional stories differ in structure to what they would be more familiar with. This is an oral tradition from the Inuit people however I can already see how I could use it in conjunction with traditional Aboriginal stories from here in Australia. There are common threads - just differing representations.

From an art perspective this book is like a candy store. You could have students illustration a sentence from the book. Study Inuit culture and artwork and convey learning in a report...so many ideas in my head

I read this book long ago and I did not realize that I had not submitted my review for this book. My apologies for the confusion - I appreciate you understanding.

This was a beautiful story and the art was equality matching telling the story before you even got to the words.
This is great for it's purpose and is a great introduction into the Inuit stories.

Review by 7 year old boy: "I would rate it only 3 for being so short, but 5 for being really cool, so I'm splitting the difference.
This book is about beliefs from ancient Inuit times, so if you are interested in the past and Inuit traditions, you or your kid may want to read it.
This poem is pretty cool. It's about how words are magical. The art is really good quality and shows people and animals shape shifting."

The story was delightful and the illustrations were beautiful. I think a lot of my nieces and nephews would enjoy this book!

A gorgeously illustrated book for a short, but interesting translation of an old Inuit story - specifically on creation. It sparks the imagination and educates as well. Very much worth picking up to read!

An arc was provided generously in exchange of an honest review via Netgalley.*
This children's book is magically philosophical. It's not a story, it is more of a setting. Beautiful artwork. There are a lot of animals, colors and nature in this book. So it is easy to ask your kid who is this animal and to show you something. You can describe what the humans are wearing, and what the animals are doing, and it wouldn't feel like studying. It would feel like a travel into magic, where everything is familiar and strange.

What a beautiful and poetic picture book that's not only great for children. My daughter and I enjoyed it a lot.

Sparse in words but full of wonder, Magic Words is an Inuit creation story that has been passed down orally and then written as a poem, now translated by Edward Field and accompanied by Mike Blanc's gorgeous illustrations. Aimed at children between 4 and 12 years old, children and their parents alike will enjoy this book.

Magic Words invites us to imagine a time when humans and animals shared one language, when humans could become animals and animals could become human. We're shown the magic of words, the power of speaking something into being.

Just like Vanita Oelschlager's forthcoming book Fish-Boy it was Mike Blanc's illustrations that sparked my interest in this book. I'm no artist but there's something about Mike's style that makes me want to linger over each illustration and I don't know if I can describe this accurately but it is as though there is both a simplicity and depth to his artistry. You can glance at a page and know it's a beautiful image but as you look closer you discover more and more intricacies.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley (thank you very much to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback. Between Magic Words and Fish-Boy I've had a small taste of Inuit culture but I'm hungry for more and will be on the lookout for future publications by Vanita Books.

Magic words is a poem with beautiful illustrations that captivates the imagination. It is about the mythical relationship between the ancient Inuit people and animals. When you read this poem to children, it will awaken their imagination. Just listening to the poem and looking at the illustrations will make them come up with fascinating questions:

What if I could talk with animals?
What if I could magically transform into an animal?
What if the person I am talking to, is actually an animal in human form?
What if a single word spoken by me is so powerful that it magically becomes alive and manifests in front of my eyes?

The poem leaves all the questions and answers open to explore for the reader. That is what makes the book so interesting.If you want to learn about your children, read the poem to them, take a step back, give them some time, and then let them lead the dialogue. Be open to their ideas. After all, it is their imagination.

At home, this poem is perfect for bedtime. In a school setting, I can see it being used interdisciplinary in many subjects. Overall, Magic Words deserves 5 stars.

Brilliantly designed and engaging for little minds!

A delightful translation of Inuit oral tradition accompanied by beautiful illustrations. A book perfect for children with an interest in poetry, but unfortunately is lacking in flow.

Brilliant colourful artwork is the strength of this book. The story makes the point that for traditional Inuit people the animals and the people were in harmony but I wish there was more substance to the story than what is here.

I don't know about you, but I thought the magic words were "Please", "Thank you" and "Sorry". But no, apparently all words are magical. This book would teach children (and adults) to think things through before speaking because words have consequences. I love a children's book that is not only entertaining but also teaches morals.

As for the art, that was the first thing that caught my eye. The illustrations are spectacular. Even if you don't like children's books, I'd still recommend this one because the art is simply stunning.