Granny's Giant Bannock. Brenda Isabel Wastasecoot. Illustrated by Kimberly McKay-Fleming. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican, 2008. 40 pp., stapled, $10.95. ISBN 978-1-894717-49-6. Subject Headings: Métis-Juvenile fiction. Cree Indians-Juvenile fiction. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7. Review by Reesa Cohen. *** /4

In her dedication, Wastasecoot points out how bannock plays an integral part in her early life and how the importance of storytelling with her daughter shaped this particular book.

     Larf gets a visit from his Granny who lives in Northern Manitoba. When Granny arrives, Larf asks her to make bannock. The problem is set up early in the plot with the author explaining that the grandmother is Cree-speaking with very little English while Larf is only equipped with a few Cree words. This leads to a miscommunication and confusion between the two over a key ingredient needed to make the bannock. With amusing consequences, the result is an enormous bannock that engulfs its baker and many other in the town of Brandon, MB.

     More fun and bizarre that a run-away gingerbread man, this rollicking fantasy has a special charm, enhanced by a valuable lesson in the importance of communication. The entertaining story is accompanied by comic, colourful illustrations. An added feature to the text are many questions posed to the reader that would encourage direct engagement in the story as well as creative responses.

     A glossary of Cree words and recipe for bannock are also included.

Recommended.

A former teacher-librarian and children's literature instructor in the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba, Reesa Cohen lives in Winnipeg, MB.

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