By Derib & Job
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-905460-04-5
The Yakari books follow the adventures of a young Native American boy from the Sioux nation. It's a very successful series when considered globally, including a TV series, but it's impact in the UK hasn't been huge to date. Now the books are widely available via Cinebooks they deserve to be brought to the attention of a young British audience (or older – I like 'em).
This is the first of the books in which we meet Yakari for the first time. It sets the scene of how Great Eagle often talks to him in his dreams, but Yakari soon realises that talking to the eagle, and other animals for that matter, is something he can do while also awake. Great Eagle gives Yakari a feather, but for Yakari to be allowed to wear it he must prove his bravery and resourcefulness. Like Lucky Luke with Jolly Jumper, Yakari is always accompanied by his horse Little Thunder, so this tale focuses on how they met, and how Yakari wins his trust.
Superbly illustrated by Derib with some cracking colour work, Yakari combines adventure with resourcefulness and discovery with fun, set against a backdrop of (what appears to be) a pre-colonised America by Europeans. Great for kids, and not bad for adults either.
And if you liked that: Try book 2!
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