HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST: A LEGEND OF THE SECHELT PEOPLE Illustrated by Charlie Craigan Gibsons (B.C.), Nightwood Editions, 1993. 24pp, paper, $5.95, ISBN 0-88971-158-5. CIP MAYUK THE GRIZZLY BEAR: A LEGEND OF THE SECHELT PEOPLE Illustrated by Charlie Craigan Gibsons (B.C.), Nightwood Editions, 1993. 24pp, paper, $5.95 ISBN 0-88971-156-9. Both distributed by Harbour Publishing. CIP Grades K-3 / Ages 5-8 Reviewed by Patricia Fry Volume 22 Number 6 1994 November / December Both these legends of the Sechelt people have been illustrated by Charlie Craigan, a Sechelt. Many of his drawings are such powerful mythic interpretations that they could be patterns for pieces of a totem pole or for figures on a sacred drum. They are strong line drawings of archetypal images. Other small sketches on the same page as the text are more realistic interpretations of the story at hand. All are done in black and white, and these illustrations are the most memorable part of both books. Legends are part of the native oral tradition and usually are shared by a gifted story-teller. When they are set down in writing it is important that it be done in a fashion that preserves the flavour of the oral tradition. Unfortunately, these versions of the legends seem quite bereft of the usual details present in most tellings. How the Robin Got its Red Breast tells how the robin saved the Sechelt people and was given its distinctive red breast in return. In this version, robin beat his wings to fan the hearth fire and, in so doing, burned his breast. In Mayuk the Grizzly Bear, a tale of a frightening encounter between man and bear is used to give a special name to a child. In both stories, the absence of meaningful women is noticeable, a remarkable departure from most native legends. These books would have very limited use in most school libraries. Their most notable feature is the fine work by illustrator Charlie Craigan. Not recommended. Patricia Fry is a teacher-librarian with the Peel Board of Education in Mississauga, Ontario