Vladyana Krykorka
Vladyana Krykorka has illustrated nine stories written by Michael Kusugak. Their books have received international acclaim and won numerous awards.
Vladyana was born and raised in Prague. She was an only child who loved art and studied privately for many years. She attended a high school that specialized in art, then moved to Canada, where she graduated from the Ontario College of Art. Vladyana worked as an art director for a Maclean Hunter business publication for several years before she began illustrating textbooks and then picture books. Vladyana lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.
Teen Books (1)
Synopsis:
Sometimes even shamans get cranky. That was baby Wolverine’s misfortune — to be cursed by an out-of-sorts shaman frustrated by his own baby daughter’s incessant crying. Not only has shaman Paaliaq forbidden the future marriage of Wolverine to Breath, Paaliaq’s beautiful but teary baby girl, he has cursed Wolverine, banishing him when he becomes a young man. And even when a contrite Paaliaq later revokes the curse, the shaman’s even crankier magic animal will not. Now Wolverine finds himself stranded on a barren island, locked in a life-or-death struggle to return to his home, his family and a very special young girl.
Michael Kusugak, consummate storyteller and bestselling author, conjures up an Inuit tale of adventure, perseverance and first-time love shot through with humanity and humour. This is a story perfect for its pre-teen and ’tween audience, where even the strong and the mighty have bad days, the bully gets his due and a dream can come true.
Author's Note: "I was thinking The Curse Of The Shaman, A Marble Island Story would make a wonderful book for those studying Inuit in social studies programs."
Reviews
"Wonderful! I loved every minute of it. Native story-telling at its best."— Tomson Highway, author of Fox on the Ice and Dragonfly Kites
Additional Information
168 pages | 5.50" x 8.25"
Kids Books (3)
Synopsis:
When Allashua disobeys her parents and goes fishing on the sea ice, she has to use her wits to escape the Qallupilluit--the troll-like creatures her parents have always warned her about that live beneath the frozen surface of the sea. But the only way to break out of their grasp is through an exchange: Allashua can go free if she brings her brothers and sisters back to the sea ice instead. Allashua doesn't want to give them up, but what can she do? After all, a promise is a promise.
Educator Information
A Promise Is a Promise is a collaboration between award-winning storyteller Michael Kusugak and celebrated children's author Robert Munsch. This 30th anniversary edition brings all of the tension of the traditional Inuit story to a new generation of readers. Added features include a new foreword by Michael Kusugak on his role as a storyteller and the importance of storytelling in Inuit culture.
This resource is also available in French: Une Promesse, C'est Une Promesse
Additional Information
32 pages | 7.80" x 7.90"
Synopsis:
Readers discover counting and creatures, and learn who's predator and who's prey. They witness five Arctic foxes hunting six furry siksiks. They watch seven fisherman catch eight Arctic char. Numbers explored include 1 to 10, 20, 100 and even 1,000,000 millions of berries ripen in the fall.
Reviews
"From one polar bear walking along the edge of a huge ice floe to millions of berries ready for picking, My Arctic 1, 2, 3 takes young readers on a counting tour in the Far North. With the rich Arctic environment as a background, this classic not only provides small children with opportunities to practice their counting skills, it introduces them to the extraordinary animals that make the Far North their home. Stunning artwork, the author's memories of life in the Arctic and information about many of the featured animals make My Arctic 1, 2, 3 the perfect book for families to share and cherish. You can count on it!" - Parent Council
"A fascinating tale... The book is well thought out, colourful and imaginative, giving us a glimpse of life in the vast Arctic. Recommended."
— Naomi Gerrard, reviewer for Amelia Frances Howard-, Children's Materials, Vol. 3, No. 2, September 1996
"Emerging readers will appreciate the easy-to-read, large print...A unique addition for libraries, particularly those building multicultural or Arctic-region collections." — School Library Journal
Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 4-6.
Numbers are in Inuktitut and English.
Additional Information
24 pages | 8.25" x 10.50"
Synopsis:
Une légende inuite raconte que des Qallupilluits se cachent sous la glace de mer. Ces créatures capturent les enfants qui s’aventurent sans leurs parents près des crevasses de la glace. Mais la jeune Allashua doute de leur existence et décide, malgré la promesse faite à ses parents, d’aller pêcher seule sur l’océan glacé. Et comme il fallait s’y attendre, ce ne sont pas des poissons qu’elle rapportera à la maison…
Educator Information
A 30th Anniversary Edition of this resource is also available in English: A Promise Is a Promise: 30th Anniversary Edition
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