One spring, a nine-year-old Cree boy is visited by a master soapstone carver named Lindy, who gives him four pieces of soapstone.

The primary secret to carving, the boy learns, is recognizing that each piece of soapstone already holds its true form inside. Lindy teaches the boy to listen to the soapstone and look to the world around him for signs as to what to carve. As the seasons change, the young boy’s experiences lend him opportunities to develop his carving skills and become attuned to the signs around him. He eagerly awaits the following spring, which will bring Lindy’s return and a chance to show off his carvings.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Jeff Pinkney's profile page

Darlene Gait's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

Jeff Pinkney holds an English degree from Trent University, is a former newspaper columnist, and currently works as a business advisor. Soapstone Signs, his first work of fiction, draws on Jeff’s experiences while traveling as a development consultant in Canada’s James Bay Frontier, where he acquired a deep appreciation for the people and the landscape. Jeff is an emerging poet, writer and an amateur stone carver. He and his wife Leslie share a brood of three story-loving daughters. They are surrounded by soapstone carvings in their Peterborough, Ontario home.

Darlene Gait is a Native American artist from the Coast Salish Esquimalt Nation. Her work captivates Native and non-Native people alike through its expression of unity between people and with nature. Known for her work on Victoria’s Unity Wall, her coin designs for the Royal Canadian Mint, and her art gallery, One Moon Gallery, Darlene continues to inspire, create and take her work in many different directions. She currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia.

"Pinkney's] first work of fiction will be of value to young readers who are interested in learning about the rites of passage First Nations youngsters experience as they grow older. Each of the four chapters, one for each season, can stand on its own as a self-contained story, but each leads easily into another, making the book accessible for readers who are new to chapter books...Complementing Pinkney’s text are striking black and white illustrations by Darlene Gait, an internationally recognized First Nations artist. The pictures work harmoniously in breaking up the text in each chapter and provide support for the story without being distracting...An enjoyable read for young readers who are exploring first chapter books."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"The book vicariously teaches the reader much about life in a Northern Cree community. Cree words for food and animals are introduced naturally in context, and the events of the story embed native values and teaching traditions."

Resource Links

Soapstone Signs