It was as a boy growing up in rural Saskatchewan that David Bouchard first heard the story of the Cree brave who leaves his young love to lead a war party and hears, after the triumphant battle, a voice crying out to him. He rides through the night, returning to his village, only to discover sweet Witonia has died of a broken heart. Qu'Appelle (Raincoast $19.95) is Bouchard's collaboration with Cree artist Michael Lonechild recalling the legend of Ikciv who still searches for his lost love. The magnificent Qu'Appelle Valley, stretching from Manitoba into the heartland of Saskatchewan, echoes with his plaintive call, "Qui Appelle?"; - Who is calling? Lonechild was born and still lives on the White Bear Reserve in Saskatchewan, where he sits on the band council. Bouchard, who lives in Victoria, just released Buddha in the Garden (Raincoast $19.95), the fourth in the Chinese Legend series with the paintings of Zhong-Yang Huang. Qu' Appelle1-55192-475-7; Buddah 1-55192-452-8 (2003)

[Spring 2003 BCBW]