Tapwe and the Magic Hat

by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Michelle Alynn Clement (Illustrator)

Overview

"Beautiful, poignant and poetic. This story will weave its way into the hearts and minds of readers for generations."
—Monique Gray Smith, author of My Heart Fills With Happiness

From beloved Indigenous icon Buffy Sainte-Marie comes a chapter book inspired by oral histories and traditions. On a prairie reserve, Tâpwê receives a mysterious gift from Kokhom (grandma)—and finds himself on an unforgettable adventure.

Tâpwê can’t wait to spend a week with his cousins on the other side of the Cree reserve—especially since Kokhom, his grandma, has given him the most amazing gift: a Magic Hat with bluebirds and grass snakes that come to life! Tâpwê is so excited that he soon forgets Kokhom’s advice: Watch out for tricksters!

Tâpwê’s adventure is everything he imagined. He meets his cousins, takes part in a powwow, and sleeps in a tipi. But soon he’s reminded of Kokhom’s words. Is his new friend Wâpos leading him astray with mischief?

Tâpwê and the Magic Hat draws on a rich Indigenous tradition of storytelling and features:

• A memorable cast of characters from both imagination and legend.
• A glossary and pronunciation guide of Cree words used in the book.
• A note to parents and teachers from Buffy Sainte-Marie about trickster stories.
• An important message for young readers about being yourself, and learning to dance to the beat of your own heart.
• Features black and white illustrations throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771645461
Publisher:	Greystone Kids
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Pages:	152
Sales rank:	554,799
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Buffy Sainte-Marie is a world-renowned and Academy Award-winning Cree singer-songwriter, activist, educator, and visual artist. Her picture books for kids include Hey LIttle Rockabye, illustrated by Ben Hodson, and (forthcoming) Still This Love Goes On And On, illustrated by Julie Flett.

Michelle Alynn Clement is an award-winning book designer and illustrator from Vancouver, BC.

Editorial Reviews

05/16/2022

Positioning this character-driven chapter book as a work of contemporary fiction that “should not be presented... as an ‘authentic’ legend in the historical sense,” Cree activist and musician Sainte-Marie opens with an intimate-feeling line: “Kayâs—once upon a time—there was a boy who lived in a town not too far from here.” The chapters follow a young Cree protagonist, Tâpwê, who lives with his Kohkom “way out on the far edge of the reserve” during the summer while his mother attends tribal college. When a relative invites Tâpwê to visit his second cousins on another reserve during their powwow, Kohkom gives Tâpwê a magic hat that previously belonged to her. The hat houses living, speaking bluebirds and grass snakes, and, Kohkom tells him, will help him on his way. Then the arrival of a large rabbit Trickster, Wâpos, throws things into chaos. The meandering installments offer much to admire and cherish, twining Indigenous beliefs and traditions with descriptions of reserve life as well as lessons around family and the natural world (“He would wake up early to her soft morning song and smell the sweetgrass she burned as she thanked the creator for the day”). An author’s note and glossary conclude this volume, which publishes simultaneously in Cree and English. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 6–9. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Full of native songs, dances and magical creatures, this silly story is an immersion into a Cree folkloric world… Cree words are easily understood through context clues, and there’s a glossary at the end…..for readers who enjoy trickster tales, or for units on tricksters in different cultures….and larger collections looking to add more Native American fiction.”
— Youth Services Book Review

"Endearing characters and cheerful illustrations bring this humorous, engaging story to life. A great read- aloud for both children and adults."
—Booklist Review

 
"Beautiful, poignant and poetic. This story will weave its way into the hearts and minds of readers for generations."
—Monique Gray Smith, author of My Heart Fills With Happiness


“Offer[s] much to admire and cherish, twining Indigenous beliefs and traditions with descriptions of reserve life as well as lessons around family and the natural world.”
—Publishers Weekly

 
"An adventure story that is both relatable and enlightening for young readers.Beautifully written with humor and energy, children will relate to the twists and turns along the way, all accompanied by beautiful black and white illustrations. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide of Cree words as well as a message to parents and teachers about trickster stories, making this an excellent read-aloud book for classrooms as well."
—Tinybeans

From the Publisher

06/10/2022

Gr 2–4—When Tâpwê, a young Cree boy, goes to stay with extended family on the other side of the reserve, his kohkom (grandmother) gives him a special gift: a hat made of feathers and woven porcupine quills with three bluebirds and three grass snakes living on top. She also offers a warning: Watch out for tricksters! But Tâpwê can't resist when a mischievous rabbit named Wâpos starts playing tricks. The gullible boy receives support from family and friends who share their own humorous experiences with the trickster. One elder explains, "He [Wâpos] is the one who keeps us on our toes for mischief—especially in ourselves! You know!" Indigenous Canadian storyteller and songwriter Sainte-Marie draws on Cree stories and traditions, as well as her own experiences, to craft a simple but imaginative tale that unfolds in 16 short chapters, each with a black-and-white illustration. An author's note explains that these are not "authentic" legends in a historic sense. The narrative excels in depicting daily life in a Cree community, including the joy of gathering chokeberries, swimming in the river, sleeping in a tipi, and attending a powwow. That Tâpwê appears younger in some drawings than in others may confuse or even deter some readers. Cree words are integrated into the text, with a glossary of terms appended. VERDICT This episodic tale of a Cree boy and a trickster rabbit features interesting characters and a strong sense of place. A solid read-aloud choice for a general unit on tricksters.—Jenny Andrus

School Library Journal

2022-04-27
A magical hat and a trickster rabbit enliven an Indigenous boy’s summer in this tale by the renowned Cree musician and artistic polymath.

Tâpwê spends summers on the reserve with Kohkom, his grandmother, while his mom attends tribal college. This year, he’s invited to stay with his cousins during their powwow while Kohkom visits his mom. Before leaving, Kohkom gives him a magical hat and a warning to “watch out for Tricksters.” But, fascinated by the hat, home to six talking animals, three charming bluebirds and three baby grass snakes, Tâpwê tunes out her advice. The animals will help Tâpwê find his way and keep him company, Kohkom says, provided he’s good to them. Shy Tâpwê bonds easily with cousin Willie and his sisters—all are intrigued by Tâpwê’s hat. One day, the Trickster rabbit, Wâpos, appears and introduces himself to Tâpwê, who’s thrilled (the hat goes quiet, though) until Wâpos steals the hat—luckily, a savvy adult helps to get it back. Hearing his relatives recount intriguing Wâpos adventures, Tâpwê lets Wâpos lead him into trouble, too, and ignores his hat’s creatures until he’s horrified to discover they’ve turned into toys. The stories are studded with quotidian details, and Wâpos, resembling a manic, slightly menacing Bugs Bunny, is a standout, a complex character whose lessons—embarrassing, silly, or downright painful—are variations on the message that “the burned hand teaches best.” Publishes simultaneously in Cree.

These connected tales bring characters and their rich cultural inheritance to satisfying life. (author's note, glossary) (Chapter book. 6-11)

Kirkus Reviews