Review of Gluskabe Stole the Tobacco

[Christell Lindeque]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gluskabe Stole the Tobacco" by Kamon.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Kamon has written a children's book titled Gluskabe Stole the Tobacco. You'll learn about the Abenaki legend of when Gluskabe's village's tobacco got stolen, which the people there use for both smoking and medicinal purposes, in this book. In an effort to retrieve the tobacco that the monster has stolen and taken to his island, many of his people have left and never returned. Gluskabe was confident that he could recover the tobacco using his magical abilities.

The entirety of the book contains a great number of words that have been translated into English while you read the book. Words that aren't in English are also highlighted in a different colour. This book explains most of the things tobacco is useful for. The illustrations in this book are also exceptionally vivid and will hold a child's attention. The reader can pick up some useful information, such as the distinctions between different types of canoes and pumice, from this book. Selfishness, greed, and the desire for power are all displayed in this book. The author includes a glossary of Abenaki words at the end of the book so readers can better understand what is being said.

The illustrations are bright and interesting, and I can see how they would capture a young reader's attention. Although I appreciated the book's message that "monsters" can be greedy and selfish and seek power over others, I do not recommend it for children under the age of eight due to the presence of both skeletons and monsters in it. The conclusion took me by surprise, and I even let out a lighthearted laugh.

It's not terrible, but parents might want to read it themselves before reading it to their kids so they can understand what's going on with the writing style—unless, of course, they want to figure it out alongside their kids for added bonding time.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because I worry that some kids might find it scary. Not everyone a child meets will have good intentions, and I think this book can help teach a child about people who act like the monster in the book. Other than that, I found the story entertaining and informative. I also found no errors and believe the book has been exceptionally well edited.

I think kids over the age of eight who like stories like Moana will enjoy this book.

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Gluskabe Stole the Tobacco
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