Makade Asin / Black Stone

Written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

Illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Translated by Waskonegabowiik / Pamela Johnson 

Groundwood Books

978-1-77946-015-8

32 pp.

Ages 3–8

August 2026

 

There is never one way to deal with fears. But Makade Asin / Black Stone is based on an Ojibwe story of dealing with fears through a vision quest. The text of the book is minimal, even when presented in two languages (Anishnaabemowin and English), with much told through the digital art of Maya McKibbin.

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

When a child awakens from a nightmare, he goes to his grandfather, Mishoomis. Mishoomis comforts him and advises him to search for the black stone if he wants to stop being afraid.

...  when you do, your fears

will lose their power,

Ninoozhis. (pg. 8)

 

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

His fears are many, including everything from being chased by a leopard, stepping into quicksand, having eyes watching him, falling from a boat, being attacked by a whale and a snake, and surviving the desert. But through the practice of a vision quest, always guided by the words of his Mishoomis, the boy faces all these fears and more. 

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

In an appended note, translator Waskonegabowiik / Pamela Johnson, a member of Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, describes the vision quest as a cultural practice whereby the vision seeker goes out without food, water or warm clothing, and, in isolation, experiences dreams that take them back to the elders. And, although authors Darcy Whitecrow, a member of the Seine River First Nation,  and Cail Judy, tell of a boy facing his fears through a vision quest, this story could be for any person, child or adult, with fears. Just as the boy faces his fears and ends up being guided by them, we must all face them or be ruled by them. Whether there is a black stone to be found or just peace of mind will be determined by the nature of the person seeking solace.

 

As mentioned, even with the story in both Anishinaabemowin and English, the text of Makade Asin / Black Stone is sparse. As such, Maya McKibbin's digital illustrations have to convey much of the story. And she shows us the breadth of the boy's fears in the swirling masses of dark threats, toothed creatures, and alarmingly powerful waters. Her main illustrations speak to the formidable power of the boy's fears, using double-spreads and larger-than-life depictions to reveal their magnitude. Maya McKibbin also uses spotlight illustrations, bordered in a tight zigzag stitch similar to those used to keep fabric from fraying, to focus on the boy's personal experiences. From those borders to the colours of a dry desert or a raging storm on the water, Maya McKibbin gives a visceral experience to the boy's vision quest through her art.

 

Makade Asin / Black Stone has a deeply Indigenous perspective on tackling one's fears, but it's message of facing them and letting them guide us, along with some help from others, is one that transcends the Ojibwe culture and will speak to all.