I received a copy of The Song That Called Them Home by David A. Robertson and illustrated by Maya McKibbin from Tundra Books in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a huge fan of David A. Robertson and the stories he tells. In his newest picture book, The Song That Called Them Home, Lauren and her younger brother, James, go on a trip with their moshom, grandfather. Before they know it, James is whisked away by the Memekwesewak and Lauren goes after them. Through the waters, behind the waterfall, into a different realm and to a mysterious island, Lauren and James are drawn by the song of the Memekwesewak. It seems that the siblings would be lost to this island when a familiar drumbeat is heard and the two follow its call home to Moshom.

What a beautifully illustrated picture book and absolutely enrapturing and captivating story! The Song That Called Them Home is at once mysterious, magical, otherworldly, adventurous, familiar, and comforting. While I was not familiar with the Indigenous legends and figures like the Memekwesewak in the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and pictures. The author's note at the end served to educate me further on the legends and inspiration behind the story. The illustrations themselves were so beautiful, vibrant and vivid that I feel like I would love to see an animated version of this story told. I can only imagine what the songs and drumbeat would be like - and how powerful it may be to experience the story in that way.