The Trickster Shadow
by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley; illus. by the author
Primary    Little, Brown    40 pp.
10/25    9780316574518    $18.99

Zoon has a trickster shadow that follows him everywhere, and he’s frequently blamed for its mischief: disrupting class, creating a mess in his room. Upset, Zoon seeks refuge with Nookomis (grandmother), who gives him a drum that belonged to his deceased Mishoomis (grandfather). She begins to tap a beat on the drum and tells Zoon it’s like a heartbeat. Zoon learns to use the drum as a means to connect with his ancestors, find and create balance within himself, and relate to the trickster shadow. With staccato sentences and the presence of the drumbeat throughout, Ojibwe visual artist Pawis-Steckley tells a universal story of finding inner strength through one ordinary Anishinaabe boy. The color-saturated illustrations are rich with cultural symbols: bears, flowers, and even a page covered in strawberries and hummingbirds. The author’s note provides context for the role of the trickster in Ojibwe folklore, and Pawis-Steckley adds personal context for the meaning behind Zoon’s journey. A glossary of Ojibwe words used throughout the book is included.

From the November/December 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.