Oolichan Moon by Samantha Beynon (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Oolichan Moon by Samantha Beynon Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Beynon, Samantha Oolichan Moon; illus. by Lucy Trimble. Harbour, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781550179927 $24.95 Reviewed from digital galleys R 6-9 yrs Big Sister and Little Sister love going to their grandparents, especially when Grandmother prepares food in the traditions of their people, the Nisga'a. Their favorite dish is the oolichan, small fish cooked to mouthwatering perfection. When the girls ask if it is oolichan season, however, Grandmother sits them down for a story, explaining why the fish are called saviour fish by their Elders. Oolichan are often the first fish caught after long winters, restoring their people's storage of fresh food; they have medicinal properties; and their oil has contributed to the Nisga'a ability to trade for food and other goods. Finally, she reveals that the arrival of the oolichan is called Hoobiyee, and—much to the sisters' delight—Hoobiyee is now. Framing a lesson on the fish and its contributions to the Nisga'a within the interactions between the sisters and their grandmother gives this tale a particular warmth, and there's humor to be found in the siblings' bickering over interrupting the story and grandmother's patient telling. Spreads alternate between the simple text against white background with striking, full bleed pages, featuring stylized digital illustrations that balance simple natural lines and curves with mosaic like textures and angles. The setup creates a lovely pace, with each page turn either settling into the coziness of grandmother's lesson or highlighting the beauty of the fish and their connections to the sisters' culture. Beynon, of Nisga'a, Ts'msyen, and European heritage, provides more information about oolichan and Nisga'a culture in the backmatter. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois