The Boy Who Lived with the Seals

by Rafe Martin, David Shannon (Illustrator)

In a traditional story from the Chinook people of the Northwest, a young boy disappears and is found years later, swimming with the seals.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American, Indigenous, Folk Tales, Folklore, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 1993

About the author

Rafe Martin is an award-winning author and storyteller, as well as a lay Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani koan line. He is founding teacher of Endless Path Zendo, Rochester, NY.

He is the recipient of the prestigious Empire State Award for the body of his work, as well as multiple American Library Association Notable Book Awards and Parent's Choice Gold Awards. He has been featured at such storytelling events as the Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth and Story, The Sierra Storytelling Festival, and the National Storytelling Festival. He is the father of two grown children and lives with his wife, Rose, in Rochester, NY.

Reviews

[Vintage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough about Rafe Martin's picture books.

This is one that will disturb parent's far more than it will their kids despite parent's mutterings,

A Chinook, Northwest myth it centers on the loss of a child to the seal people. The parents are devastated as they can not find their son before they are forced to move on. They continue to search only to hear of a child that was seen with the seals.

Underlying Peter Pan/escape issues makes this a fun read for children if not for parents.

[Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting tale of the Inuit Tribe, and it has lovely illustrations. The tale is a bit dark though, and I wouldn't read to your child before bedtime. It's definately a daytime book to reflect on the deeper meaning of the tale.
I would recommend to Second Graders and up.
Have fun reading kids!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart wrenching, Chinook legend of a young boy who disappears while the tribe is journeying to their spring camp. His parents stay for 3 weeks searching for him, but finally accept that they will not find him. Another spring while tribe is traveling they meet another tribe and an old woman tells the story of an island where seals come out and bask in the sun and of a boy who lives with them. The parents, sure the boy is theirs go to rescue the boy. They teach the boy how to be human, but eventually are forced to accept that he is happier with the seals.

I might read this to a 3rd grade class next week. Unfortunately, the class visit did not take place due to rain.

[Michaela Klegseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a father was fixing his canoe his son played in the water but he grew tired and wandered off.When the father got back to the village he did not have his son so he and the village looked for him but never found him.Time went by but the parents did not forget about the boy.One day they heard a story of seals that appeared with a boy and they knew it was the boy.They went to the spot and saw him and he was acing like the seals.They had to reteach him to be human again but his hunger to be with the seals won over him.He went back to the seals and every year the parents will see the box and know it is the boy. I like the adventure of the story.

[Sharia A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very odd. The book is about a boy that finds himself most comfortable in the most uncomfortable place. This book is showing the story about how a boy goes missing and reappears. The theme of this story is to be yourself no matter how or who says it is wrong. This book would be most successful in a 5th grade classroom.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing tale of grief and loss over a young son who goes missing and is eventually found basking on a rock with a group of seals who have become his new family. During this time, he has basically morphed into a seal and has found a new home and place of belonging. As sad as it is for his parents, the "seal-boy" is happier in his new life amongst the seals, however he comes back every year during their spring camp migration to carve a beautiful, ornate canoe for his parents which brings them a bit of peace.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating legend. A bit sad at the end.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was acc kinda sad but it was cute 🥹

[Matthew Parody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Native story.
Really enjoyed how real and lived in it felt.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting folktale about a boy who was lost and adopted by seals. He is eventually found, but still remains a part of the seal family in his heart and eventually returns to them. Odd story, but engaging and fun to read aloud. And the illustrations are great - we love David Shannon's work.

[CanadianReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pair this book with Eric Kimmel's telling of The Frog Princess. Both aboriginal-themed picture books focus on humans who leave their tribes and feel more at home with an animal species. The books could lead to some interesting discussions about aboriginal attitudes to non-human animals.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this read aloud to me in one of my classes as part of an activity. Interesting mystical story. We used it to look at words that show jumps in time.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A folklore tale about a boy who lives with the seals. Chinook Indian legend.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is an excellent storyteller, both on the page and in person. Very imaginative retelling of a folk tale.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

See: Storm Boy by Paul Lewis