The message is simple, and the illustrations stunning. This is a great way to introduce children to environmental issues and concerns. I have found that this book is also hard to find. Love the art work by Roy Vickers.

Spirit Transformed: A Journey From Tree To Totem is another stunning portrayal of the work of First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers. A series of beautiful colored photo essays are complemented by the chapters describing the emerging of a 30 foot totem pole of cedar crafted by the artist. Also included is the real-life story of the artist himself. No stranger to pain, Vickers has much to teach. In the end, he is a voice for many: "The winter of our discontent is gone. And, for me, the time of being a victim of wrongdoing is gone. It is not time to be a victim anymore. It is time to be a leader; it is time to be a supporter. It is time to show others that it is possible to come through everything we have endured, and, in the words of Chief Dan George, 'to build our race into the strongest, proudest segment of our society.' And so, with the birth of the Salmon Totem, a journey came to an end that had begun eight centuries ago when that cedar had first sprouted in the good earth of the Pacheenaht people. It was joyful and sad at the same time. When you think of living, if you are centered, if you have achieved that balance, you feel both joy and pain. It is a balance of life and death, red and black. I think that is where those tears of joy come from (p.77)." Not only will Spirit Transformed share great beauty of spirit with each reader, it shows the resources of unimaginable strength and faith to reanimate the generation to come. Recommended for general audiences.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

This is the first really great detective story book I've ever read since I finished all of Doyle and Christie's. As said in Queen's introduction to this book, all stories are told in the way invented by Dr. Freeman, but Vikers' story telling skills are obviously much better than the lecturing of Dr. Freeman.

These are 'inverted' detective stories -- you see the crime first, a la Columbo. They are much more interesting than any other inverteds I have found, including R Austin Freeman's. These are insightful stories of character, with an odd sense of humor. And the solution is mnore the result of dumb luck and coincidence than the detective's brilliance. First rate and most original. One my half dozen favorite mystery books.