As I Enfold You in Petals - (The Spirit of Denendeh) by Richard Van Camp (Paperback)

About the Book

Curtis has returned to Fort Smith, six weeks sober and determined to stay that way. Can he find healing in his grandfather's ancient cultural practices? Notorious bootlegger, Benny the Bank stands in his way. With poison slowly killing him, Benny is uneasy about how he'll be remembered. Can he find a way to make amends?

Book Synopsis

Newly sober, Curtis searches for healing in the ancient cultural practices of his Tlıcho Dene grandfather. But will the Little People answer his call?

Curtis has returned to Fort Smith, six weeks sober. He doesn't have any sober friends, his mom's still drinking, and his best friend (and secret crush) Lacey probably is too. Still, he's determined to abstain from alcohol and help his people. Along the way, he might just be able to help himself.

Louis, Curtis's late grandfather, was a healer. Legend has it, Louis made a deal with the Little People that gave him the power to heal. No one has heard from the Little People since Louis's death, but his cabin may hold the key for them to return. There's only one problem: Benny the Bank stands in the way.

An infamous bootlegger, Benny has profited off Fort Smith's pain for decades. After being critically wounded in an attempt on his life, Benny knows he doesn't have much time before the poison in his blood takes him. He also happens to own Louis's cabin.

Can Curtis convince Benny to return the home that once belonged to Louis? Will the Little People answer Curtis's call? And can Benny find a way to make amends and leave a legacy he can be proud of?

A stunning, fast-paced graphic novel, As I Enfold You in Petals will keep readers riveted until the last page.

Review Quotes

Among 49th Kids's New Books for Indigenous History Month list

Bringing in everything from traditional cooking to magical medicine power, Van Camp's graphic novel celebrates cultural resiliency while never shying away from the difficulty faced by his characters.

I loved [A Blanket of Butterflies] so much and the second book is just as good.

Once again, Van Camp affectingly melds his Tlı̨chǫ Dene heritage--and his Fort Smith hometown--with urgent, contemporary storytelling, memorably enlivened by Henderson's meticulous, realistic art and vibrantly colored by Yaciuk.

Among Pat St. Germain's Spring-fresh titles diverse and dazzling collection.

It is a delight to have such a positive depiction of Dene spirituality and the people in this superb story of hope, strength of spirit, and redemption. The story celebrates family connections, memories, and stories through the text and the stunningly illustrated and colored illustrations.

About the Author

Richard Van Camp (he/him/his) is a proud member of the Tlı̨chǫ Nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the author of more than 25 books including The Lesser Blessed (also a feature film), the Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel A Blanket of Butterflies (with Scott B. Henderson), and Three Feathers (also a feature film). He is a contributor to the groundbreaking graphic novel anthology This Place: 150 Years Retold. Richard is also the author of five collections of short stories, including Night Moves, and six baby books, including the award-winning Little You (with Julie Flett).

Scott B. Henderson (he/him/his) is author/artist of the sci-fi/fantasy comic The Chronicles of Era and has illustrated select titles in the Tales From Big Spirit series, as well as the A Girl Called Echo, The Reckoner Rises, and 7 Generations series. He is also the artist for AIYLA Honour Book Fire Starters, Eisner Award-nominee A Blanket of Butterflies, and select stories in This Place: 150 Years Retold. In 2016, he was the recipient of the C4 Central Canada Comic Con Storyteller Award. Find Scott on social media with @ouroboros09.