Haibu Lost in New York

By Blake Freeman

Mom’s Choice Award Winner

I can do anything I believe I can do. I can be anything I believe I can be. I can achieve anything I want to achieve. I am Haibu.

In the small, northern village Montooka, Haibu always knew she can do anything she wants if she just set her mind to it. One day she tries to prove it and goes fishing all by herself, but a harrowing experience finds her stranded on a drifting piece of ice. Before she knows it, she arrives lost in a completely new land she’s never seen before—New York!

As Haibu discovers the city, she learns about a nearby circus that might have clues that would help her find her way back home. But the circus animals are in serious trouble and need help right away. Haibu and her new friends will have to put their heads together to come up with a plan in order to save the animals before things get worse.

A partner of WildAid, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, Haibu teaches children animal conservation and raises awareness about the situations and conditions animals live in the world today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Books
• Release date: Nov 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781513262222

Blake Freeman

Blake Freeman grew up in many midwestern states but lived the majority of his life in Nashville, Tennessee. Since relocating to Los Angeles, he has been in the entertainment business for over 12 years as an actor, director, writer, and producer of film and television. The books he read as a child shaped his view of the world. With that in mind, he has always felt that wild animals need a voice, and therefore Haibu was created.

Book preview

MONTOOKA

Haibu was running around the front yard, chasing after the dogs like she was in the middle of a great battle, when a neighbor approached. It was Mr. Toko, one of the elders in the village. He was a great warrior and hunter back in his day, and always took time to talk to the other villagers, especially Haibu.

Well, hello there, little Haibu, he said.

Hello, Mr. Toko. I’m protecting the village from these ferocious polar bears! Haibu yelled.

Mr. Toko looked at the dogs that were climbing all over Haibu and licking her face. Well, I thank you, and I’ll leave you be to save us helpless villagers from those wild beasts! he said.

Okay, Mr. Toko, I will save us all!

Mr. Toko walked off in the snow and Haibu continued to play with her dogs. When Haibu’s father and brother appeared from behind the house, they were pulling a sled with several hunting and fishing tools.

Haibu ran over, excited. Atata! Atata! she called to her father.

Kneeling next to Haibu, her father spoke. What are you up to, my little warrior?

Haibu knew that they were on their way to go ice fishing. She also knew that fishing was usually left up to the men in the village. But what her father and brother didn’t know was that Haibu wanted badly to prove that she could fish just as well as the boys.

Haibu replied, I want to come fishing with you, Atata.

Haibu’s brother, Amook, laughed. "You’re too small; you couldn’t catch your own shadow, much less a fish! You want the village to starve?!"

Amook laughed some more and Haibu shouted back at him, I could catch a lot of fish! Fish with big mouths, just like yours, Amook!

Chuckling, her father continued, Haibu, I need you here. Who else is going to protect the village while I’m gone?

Haibu frowned. But Atata, I am ready!

Father rubbed Haibu’s head and said softly, Soon enough, soon enough.

Haibu was left behind as they disappeared into the snowy distance.

After stomping through the snow, Haibu entered her house and slammed the door behind her.

Haibu, would you like to help me with dinner? her mother called.

No thank you, Anana. Haibu pouted. "I’m not big enough to help." Haibu ran into her room and leaped onto the bed.

Moments later, Haibu’s mother walked in and sat down beside her. Haibu, what is wrong? she asked.

I don’t want to talk about it, Anana.

Is this because you wanted to go fishing with Amook and your father?

Haibu sat up. Yes! Anana, I am as strong as Amook and as good a fisherman as anyone in this village. If they would only let me—

Haibu’s mother interrupted. Oh my little Haibu, of course you are. But they are going far out to the ice shelf, where the ocean and the ice meet, and it’s quite dangerous. You could fall through the ice or stumble upon a nanuq looking for food. It’s just not safe.

Nanuq is the Mayok word for polar bear. From a very young age every villager was taught to stay far away from them. Besides the weather, polar bears are a Mayok’s biggest threat.

But Haibu didn’t want to listen. You think I’m scared of a fluffy ole nanuq, Anana? She stood up on her bed with her hands in the air, mimicking a bear. Have you ever seen a nanuq this tough, Anana? Rawr! Rawr! she growled.

You are a very scary nanuq. It’s been a long day, Haibu. Why don’t you rest and I will call you when dinner is ready, her mother said, as she headed back to the kitchen.

Haibu dropped to her bed and muttered, They’ll never understand.

THE JOURNEY

Deep in thought, Haibu reached over and grabbed the Shookia given to her by Mr. Toko and the other village elders when she was younger. A Shookia is a bracelet, made to remind villagers that they can achieve anything they want, as long as they work hard and are true to themselves. It is a beloved piece of jewelry in the village of Montooka. The Shookia is made from yellowish rock crystals, and between each crystal sits a small, brown, flat stone. Each stone has a letter carved on it. On this bracelet, the letters spelled out HAIBU.

Haibu slipped it on her wrist and repeated the mantra that had been passed down for generations, for each person to use their name at the end: "I can do anything I believe I can do. I can be anything I believe I can be. I can achieve anything I want to achieve. I am Haibu."

Haibu’s eyes opened wide, I can do this! I’m going to do this! I will show all of them! She quietly gathered a few things into a backpack and slowly opened the bedroom window for her escape. Quiet as a mouse, she dropped into the snow, brushed herself off, and headed toward the shed in the backyard. As she crept past the side of the house, she stopped to peek