• Age: 6 to 10
• Grade: 1 to 5

Long ago, a Seneca tribe lived on the Niagara River, just upstream from a great waterfall. With plenty of fish and crops to feed them, life was good in their village. Then a sickness came to the people, and everything changed. As the situation worsened and people died, Lelawala, the chief's daughter, came up with a plan to help. She would go to the thunder god, Hinu, and find out why he wouldn't help her people. But to do that, Lelawala would have to go to his home under the great falls, and never return.

Veronika Martenova Charles was born behind the Iron Curtain in Prague, Czechosloavakia As a teenager Veronika formed a pop act with a friend and learned to sing Western rock and roll On a return trip from a tour in Cuba she stepped from her plane as it refueled in Gander, Newfoundland, and decided to stay in Canada Since 1991 Veronika has been writing and illustrating children's books full-time She is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books include: Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls; Stretch, Swallow, and Stare; The Crane Girl; and The Birdman Veronika has studied at Ryerson University, the Ontario College or Art and Design, and recently completed her graduate studies in Folklore at York University Veronika Martenova Charles lives in Toronto

A native of Montreal, Annouchka Gravel Galouchko has lived in Iran, Egypt, Mexico, and Austria Winner of a Governor General's Award for illustration and nominee for French language text (Sho et les dragons d'eau), she has exhibited her paintings widely

Annouchka's partner, Stephan Daigle, is an internationally known painter and illustrator of books, magazines, and corporate images He, too, was born in Montreal The couple's collaboration on The Birdman has resulted in an exceptional blend of color and design, along with depth and symbolism that belie its prettiness Stephan and Annouchka live in Quebec with their eight-year-old son, Sacha

Veronika Martenova Charles' profile page

"In an author's note that's particularly useful for educators, [Charles] describes the history of the legend and how her version differs. The exciting drama of Lelawala's trip over the falls, and the engaging and realistic illustrations that show Charles's careful research, will keep young readers' interest."
— Quill and Quire