Giju’s Gift

Having a variety of choices for young readers is extremely important. Young readers need to be given the freedom to choose the stories and the types of books that will engage and excite them. This is what creates a lifelong reader. I have a reader who is still working her way up to confidence. Reading hasn’t come as naturally to her as it did to her brother and graphic novels and comics have always sparked an interest for her. Having publishers creating more and more graphic novels invites so many more readers into the experience of loving reading. The new Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j by Brandon Mitchell and Veronika Barinova bring traditional Mi’kmaw stories and knowledge to young readers. Giju’s Gift is the first book in what is going to be an engaging and well loved series.

One day while out berry picking, Mali loses a beloved hair clip made for her by her giju’ (grandmother). Well, more like it was stolen by a pugulatmu’j (a little person). Although most cannot see the pugulatmu’j, Mali can and sets off on an adventure with Puug to obtain several items on his list before the giant that is chasing them catches them.

Brandon Mitchell has created a really fun, suspenseful story about a girl learning about the past and understanding her family's traditions. The story was even quite scary at times. The giant was certainly not a character young readers would want following them around the countryside. The story briefly brought readers back in time to a residential school attended by giju’ as well as shares traditional Mi’kmaw creatures as well as knowledge and insight to the readers.

Veronika Barinova’s art is colourful and alive and, when required, grotesque. I found the illustrations quite detailed similar to more adult graphic novels but still with a cartoon feel so as to welcome a middle grade reader into the story.

Having a variety of texts containing traditional knowledge and inspired by teachings is an incredible way to make sure these stories are preserved for future generations. To reclaim all that was taken from Indigenous people in Canada and to share the joy and the pain in these stories with a new generation of readers.