Mahahaa by Neil Christopher

What worked:

The characters and story reflect Canadian Inuits and each page contains English language and Inuktut symbols. The English version contains translations of Inuktut vocabulary and the book includes a glossary of these terms in the back. The author wants to ensure this folktale, and others will be passed down to future generations. The story features Aulaja as she leaves her igloo to venture onto the icy lake to go jigging for fish. She’s told by her father to keep Siku, the family dog, close by for protection.

Of course, Aulaja innocently leaves Siku by the igloo while she goes fishing. Readers will scream for her to bring the dog along because they’ve been forewarned that dangers lurk in the wild. However, what would happen to conflict and suspense if kids always listened to their parents? The preface informs readers of the mythical Mahahaa that can tickle its victims to death. This may not seem like a life-threatening monster but young readers can relate to times when their older siblings tickled them to tears. The descriptions and illustrations of a scraggly beast with long bony claws will surely create some shivers. The cover is enough evidence of this.

What didn’t work as well:

The picture book is very short so the narrative is shared in a straightforward style. There’s little embellishment or description so the myth of Mahahaa is the entire story. While the plot develops quick tension, it lacks any character development and doesn’t go beyond a surface-level retelling of events.

The final verdict:

It’s always fun to read tales from other cultures and this book won’t disappoint. The illustrations are a highlight and help to make up for a lack of details in the narrative. Overall, this book is a spooky, quick read and I recommend you give it a shot.