Gallery owners have described Yukon artist Lynn Blaikie’s batik work as “unique,” “exuberant,” and “joyous,” words that apply equally well to both the text and illustrations of her first picture book.

Beyond the Northern Lights, inspired by the geography, fauna, and sensibilities of Canada’s Yukon Territory, is a native girl’s bedtime request to be taken on a mystical journey. She asks Raven to take her to the northern skies, beyond the northern lights, beneath the icy seas, to a fire pit attended by spirits and elders, and then safely home.

Blaikie’s brief, poetic text is ideal for reading aloud. By introducing each stanza with a question and concluding it with a plea, she provides solid narrative structure. Her rhymes and near-rhymes are deft. She uses words to summon warm images (dreams that “twinkle,” wisdom that “blesses,” northern lights triggered by children’s laughter) in a cold setting.

Eight single and three double-page batik-art illustrations transcend the text, transporting viewers to the physical and spiritual worlds of northwestern Canada. Using traditional vat-dying techniques and pen and ink, Blaikie presents the creatures and features of heaven, undersea, and earth with flair, flow, detail, and whimsy (hearts in the sky, stars in the sea, petroglyph-like spirit images). Attentive children will notice that the girl’s parka, pants, and mitts vary in colour and design detail during her journey. Adding to the strong visual impact of this richly coloured book are clever design elements such as a moon image incorporated into the title presentation, and large-print, double-spaced text on alternating intense red, yellow, and blue backgrounds.

Beyond the Northern Lights stands strongly on its own but is kindred in spirit with Ted Harrison’s The Blue Raven and other Yukon-based books, such as Michael Kusugak’s Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails and Nancy White Carlstrom’s Northern Lullaby and Raven and River. It will appeal to youngsters, will interest teachers and students working on northern studies and art curricula, and will delight everyone who appreciates art and beautiful books.