Hay River Reserve (May 10/04) - A new children's book was recently launched on the Hay River Reserve.

Elaine Rene-Tambour's "Alone in the Bush" is an illustrated story in both English and South Slavey.

Rene-Tambour, co-ordinator of the K'atlodeeche First Nation Children's Centre, said the book is based on a mural of a child and forest animals she drew at the day care when it first opened three years ago.

She says she had a vision one night of the mural. "I never drew animals before. I felt I had to draw it, so I drew it."

Elders eventually came to look at the mural. One of them, Ann Buggins, asked Rene-Tambour about the story behind the mural.

"I said, 'There isn't one,'" she recalls. "She said, 'So tell me the story.'"

Rene-Tambour thought about what the story could be. "I went to bed not knowing it, but I woke up knowing it."

The story is about a child lost in the bush. The child is first recognized by an eagle as someone who will grow up to help protect the forest. So the animals all work together to keep the child safe.

Michaela Fraser, 4, says she likes the story and the pictures in the book. "I read it all the time, lots and lots."

Rene-Tambour says the story fits the elders' belief that the new generation will protect the forests.

The book was published with about $5,000 funding from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Rene-Tambour's husband, Alex Tambour, helped translate the story into South Slavey.

The 400 copies are being distributed to schools and libraries, and are available for purchase.

The book contains "story stretchers" -- drawings which can be copied so children can make up their own stories.