King Warrior

By (author): Jay Buckaert, Erika Nyyssonen

Illustrated by: Lucas Green

Living in different worlds and separated by an ocean, a father and son try to stay connected through the power of imagination as their distanced lives pull them further apart.

Awale takes a job as a cab driver in Canada’s remote city of Yellowknife in order to provide for his family back home in Gaalkaycyo, Somalia. As his wife Warsan and young son Afrah struggle with his absence, Awale creates a world-building epic inspired by the wonders of his new Arctic home, in order to keep his son close to him. Afrah dives deep into this magical world of Jaÿrikas, and through his imagination, the myths, legends, and diversity of the north are brought to life in such powerful ways that when tragedy strikes and all the worlds start to collide, Afrah is left with only one choice: to become the King Warrior.

A story spanning the globe both imaginary and real, King Warrior celebrates the turbulent glory of boyhood while encouraging the reader to reconnect with that rich inner palace of youthful imagination that ultimately holds the key to our freedom.

Reviews

‘A fast-paced read, King Warrior is a truly unique graphic novel. Its multicultural storyline blends elements from the Canadian North, Somalia, and Finland, highlighting the unique complexities of the Canadian immigrant experience. The struggles of Awale, Afrah and Warsan are very relatable, and many children will find solace in Afrah’s ability to keep his family together no matter the cost. Bulckaert and Nyyssonen worked with Halima Mahamud, a cultural consultant, giving the storyline even more authenticity [….] Overall, a magically entertaining read, King Warrior is recommended for library collections.’

– Teresa Iaizzo, Canadian Materials

‘King Warrior’s parallel universes, both real and imaginary, illuminate the icy wonders of an Arctic winter and the pain of a young boy living worlds away from his father. A sensitive look at the immigrant experience of one Somalian family, this spectacular debut is an action-packed adventure with unforgettable characters. A belching ptarmigan, the evil and foul-smelling Water Dog. I absolutely love this story!’ – Laurie Sarkadi – Author of “Voice in the Wild a memoir.

‘King Warrior is a truly epic tale. Stunning illustrations perfectly capture the northern landscape, a family full of heart and mythical creatures that are both quirky and ferocious. A page-turning story with a complex young hero struggling to keep his family strong even when they are worlds apart.’ – Michelle Swallow – Author of The Mackenzie River Guide Book


Awards

  • ALBERTA BOOK AWARDS ‘GRAPHIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2023, Winner
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    Details

    Dimensions:

    72 Pages
    8.78in * 6.73in * .16in
    190gr

    Published:

    September 14, 2022

    ISBN:

    9781989754146

    Language:

    eng

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