Solomon had always had a special love for the maple tree that stood near his house - a tree that offered him a comfortable perch, and whispered its many secrets to him. When his arboreal friend is knocked down in the course of a terrible storm, Solomon is heartbroken, until his uncle involves him in the carving of a mask from the maple's wood, and he realizes that his friend's spirit will live on...

Andrea Spalding's gentle narrative, inspired by a mask-carving workshop with master Tsimpshian woodcarver Victor Reece, offers a sensitive portrayal of a contemporary First Nations boy, and the central role his traditional culture plays at a crucial moment in his life. Janet Wilson's illustrations - done in oil - evoke a sense of family warmth and a connection to the natural world. It is easy to see why this appealing picture-book was picked for the First Nation Communities Read Award! ( )