Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story

Written by Aviaq Johnston

Illustrated by Tamara Campeau

 Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-297-0

28 pp.

Ages 0-3

September 2021

Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story is both love song and lullaby, wrapped up in an endearing dialogue between grandfather and young offspring. 

From Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story from Aviaq Johnston, illus. by Tamara Campeau

As a young bowhead whale asks their grandfather to tell them about the wonderful things he has experienced in his 200 years of life, Grandfather Bowhead recalls the marvels of the northern lights, of the animals he's met and friends he's made, of giant icebergs, of geese who travel halfway across the world, of the excitement of swimming mighty currents, and of the hard work he faced. With each request for more tales from Grandfather Bowhead's life, the calf, whom the grandfather calls Little Arvaaq, gets a glimpse of excitement, survival, appreciation and experience. But with each account, Grandfather Bowhead always admits that the wonders of Little Arvaaq are superior and preferable.

From Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story from Aviaq Johnston, illus. by Tamara Campeau

Grandfather Bowhead, tell me a story
of something amazing you have seen.

Little Arvaaq, I’ve seen walruses dive into the
very depths of the ocean to find clams to eat,
but that does not compare to the depth of my
love for you.

From Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story from Aviaq Johnston, illus. by Tamara Campeau

While focusing on an intergenerational relationship, Nunavut's Aviaq Johnston is still able to highlight the extraordinary life of the bowhead whale which is thought to be the longest-lived mammal on the planet. Still, with all the wonders the elder bowhead has witnessed, the wonder that is his Little Avaaq is greater. With reverence and adoration, Grandfather Bowhead tells his stories in richly emotive words but always with the caveat about this bowhead calf. 

Grandfather Bowhead, tell me a story
of the sweetest thing you have seen.

Well, Little Arvaaq, in all my two hundred years
I’ve seen everything you can imagine,
but nothing compares to the sweetness of
your sleeping breaths.

The depth of adoration, amazement and affection from Grandfather for Little Avaaq is epitomized in Tamara Campeau's profound artwork. Digitally rendered, the illustrations of Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story are both realistic and dramatic, depicting the greatness of the bowheads and the other sea creatures in an Arctic landscape of deep waters, massive bergs and vibrant northern lights. Tamara Campeau makes her art truthful, grounded in accuracy, but also ethereal, giving a spiritual essence through her use of colour and line that matches Aviaq Johnston's words.

If I was a grandparent, I would love to share this story with a grandchild to verbalize the depth of devotion and tribute extended between grandfather and young in Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me a Story. After all, such affection should be the standard for all young.