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When the Owl Calls Your Name
"The Owl Song" by Alan Syliboy & the Thundermakers is now a gorgeously illustrated book for all ages, exploring Mi'kmaw spirituality, life and death. They say when the Owl calls your name
that the Creator is calling you home. And when the owl comes to you,
he sits and waits until your final breath.
Then your journey begins. From bestselling author Alan Syliboy ( Mi'kmaw Daily Drum, Wolverine and Little Thunder, The Thundermaker ) comes a beautiful new book exploring spirituality, mortality and grieving. An illustrated extended version of his popular song "The Owl Song," it features imagery inspired by his band Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers' performance material and an author's note on Mi'kmaw tradition and Syliboy's own personal experiences with death. This book for all ages is a poignant depiction of what might happen when the Owl calls your name, and you begin your journey home to the ancestors.
that the Creator is calling you home. And when the owl comes to you,
he sits and waits until your final breath.
Then your journey begins. From bestselling author Alan Syliboy ( Mi'kmaw Daily Drum, Wolverine and Little Thunder, The Thundermaker ) comes a beautiful new book exploring spirituality, mortality and grieving. An illustrated extended version of his popular song "The Owl Song," it features imagery inspired by his band Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers' performance material and an author's note on Mi'kmaw tradition and Syliboy's own personal experiences with death. This book for all ages is a poignant depiction of what might happen when the Owl calls your name, and you begin your journey home to the ancestors.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
24 people want to read
About the author
Alan Syliboy
8books3followersArtist Alan Syliboy studied privately with Shirley Bear and attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where twenty-five years later, he was invited to sit on the Board of Governors. Alan looks to the indigenous Mi'kmaw petroglyph tradition for inspiration and develops his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms. This is his second children's book. He lives in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 14, 2024
This Mi’kmaw picture book explores spirituality and mortality through an Indigenous worldview. It is an illustrated extended version of Alan Syliboy’s "The Owl Song," featuring imagery inspired by the author’s band. This book paints a depiction of beliefs about what may happen after death and, as he puts it, the beginning of the path home to our ancestors. This unique picture book illustrates the journey between life and death in a whimsical way.
This book is an interesting short story that explains Indigenous People’s spiritual views about what happens after death in a lighthearted way for kids. I love that the book included themes of togetherness and the importance of striving to be a kind person. I found that, unlike many other books, it paints death in a positive light instead of something to fear which I imagine would be helpful for children reading this book. I believe it will also instill positive values in readers as illustrated by the quote at the end, “So you must live your life in such a way that you will be ready for the owl when he calls your name.”
While this book wasn’t my cup of tea, I do believe other readers can benefit from and enjoy this book. Specifically, I think this book would be perfect for young Indigenous children to learn more about their spiritual traditions. I love that the author included a note at the end explaining, a bit more, about the Mi’kmaw culture's beliefs about the Spirit World and their burial customs; I noticed a little similarity to what I believe too, like how one of the traditional burial rituals is that the person should be buried facing a certain direction. Moreover, the beautiful and vivid artwork, in this book, truly leaves its mark, and the solemn yet vibrant tones masterfully enrich the pages.
I recommend this book to those looking for a unique and heartfelt read.
#freebook
This book is an interesting short story that explains Indigenous People’s spiritual views about what happens after death in a lighthearted way for kids. I love that the book included themes of togetherness and the importance of striving to be a kind person. I found that, unlike many other books, it paints death in a positive light instead of something to fear which I imagine would be helpful for children reading this book. I believe it will also instill positive values in readers as illustrated by the quote at the end, “So you must live your life in such a way that you will be ready for the owl when he calls your name.”
While this book wasn’t my cup of tea, I do believe other readers can benefit from and enjoy this book. Specifically, I think this book would be perfect for young Indigenous children to learn more about their spiritual traditions. I love that the author included a note at the end explaining, a bit more, about the Mi’kmaw culture's beliefs about the Spirit World and their burial customs; I noticed a little similarity to what I believe too, like how one of the traditional burial rituals is that the person should be buried facing a certain direction. Moreover, the beautiful and vivid artwork, in this book, truly leaves its mark, and the solemn yet vibrant tones masterfully enrich the pages.
I recommend this book to those looking for a unique and heartfelt read.
#freebook
March 15, 2024
Beautiful illustrations
Read
May 25, 2024This is a really lovely little book about Mi’kmaq spirituality and death and the afterlife.
I love Alan Syliboy’s artwork and this book is just filled with beautiful illustrations.
I love Alan Syliboy’s artwork and this book is just filled with beautiful illustrations.
August 21, 2024
Heartfelt and offers a kind yet maturity in its words to the kids who read it.
I loved how the afterlife switch was colorful
I loved how the afterlife switch was colorful
December 29, 2024
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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