I read a free digital copy of this book through NetGalley. 
 Wow! What a gorgeous book! I now want to own a copy so I can more easily share it with students. 
 The short poem was translated from a 1920s journal by a Dutch explorer who collected oral stories told in Inuit communities. This tale recounts the time when animals and humans could once change from one to another and when words held magical powers to change the world. The illustrations are gorgeous! Based on iconic Inuit motifs, each page feels illuminated with color. While the tale ends abruptly, this ending invites readers to ponder why the relationship between humans, animals, and magic might have changed over time. 
 Magic Words could be used in various ways in an elementary classroom. The story connects easily to lessons on respecting all life, taking care of animals, and examining the various ways in which humans interact with animals. The book would also fit nicely into a unit studying cross cultural folk tales or a specific study of Inuit culture. There is also an informative note at the end of the book explaining the process of creating the illustrations. Therefore, this is a great example for slightly older students who are learning to take their drawings and modify them digitally. This would be a great addition to an elementary classroom library!