THE ANIMAL PEOPLE CHOOSE A LEADER

This picture-book adaptation of a tale by Wagamese sees an unassuming rabbit enter a leadership contest.

The story of Waabooz is a story in the author’s unfinished manuscript One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet (published posthumously in 2019). When the Animal People of the Long Ago Time gather to determine who will be in charge, it’s the brash, boastful Horse, Buffalo, Cougar, and Wolverine who put themselves forth. They compete in an endurance race—four times around a lake through challenging terrain. Waabooz, a rabbit, also competes (notably the only female competitor), proceeding slowly and appreciating her surroundings, rather than trying to conquer them. Although the others pass her by, she gleans much wisdom and assists the others when their approach falters. Wagamese writes in straightforward but compelling prose that has the hypnotic style of oral storytelling: “all members of the animal kingdom were there: birds, reptiles, insects and all of the four-leggeds.” The book’s text-heavy quality may prove too daunting for younger readers. However, the images afford the narrative a timeless quality and a weightiness beyond words. George offers lush, dreamy, autumnal-hued artwork steeped in the artistic traditions of First Nations peoples. The animals are rendered semitransparent to reveal anatomical lines, which are themselves styled to evoke astrological constellations.

A fable full of ancient wisdom, applicable to today’s world.