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As I Enfold You in Petals

Richard Van Camp author Scott B Henderson illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Portage & Main Press

Published:1st Aug '23

Should be back in stock very soon

As I Enfold You in Petals cover

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

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?

Newly sober, Curtis searches for healing in the ancient cultural practices of his Tłıcho 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.

Among CBC Books 20 Canadian Comics to Check Out in the First Half of 2023 * CBC Books *

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

* Montreal Gazette *

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.

* No Flying No Tights blog *

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

* Booklist *

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

* 49th Kids, Top Grade CanLit for the Classroom *

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.

* Vancouver Sun *

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

* 49th Shelf *

  • Short-listed for Robert Kroetsch – City of Edmonton Book Prize 2024 (Canada)
  • Short-listed for High Plains Book Awards, Young Adult 2024 (Canada)
  • Nominated for Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Graphic Novel 2024 (United States)
  • Nominated for YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2023 (Canada)
  • Nominated for <I>Nominated for</I> YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2023.

ISBN: 9781774920411

Dimensions: 254mm x 165mm x 5mm

Weight: 200g

72 pages