Inuit

Spencer the Siksik can’t wait for the first snowfall. He is going to build a snow fort with Gary the Snow Goose!

When Spencer’s mom tells him he must first shovel his grandma’s steps, he doesn’t understand why she has to ruin his fun. He just wants to play outside! But when Spencer sees that his grandma and her neighbours can’t leave their houses, he remembers what his mom taught him about taking care of Elders in his community.

Follow along as Spencer learns the importance of one of the eight guiding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles: serving others. Explore more books in the Spencer the Siksik series to see how Spencer and his friend Gary learn about the other principles!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of a series that teaches children about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, or "IQ" principles, which are a set of communal laws that focus on the ways one is expected to behave. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally translates to "that which Inuit have always known to be true." This book teaches the IQ principle of serving others.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.50" x 10.50" | Paperback

Spencer is stuck inside on a boring rainy day. As he plays on his tablet, he becomes frustrated trying to hold it upright. He asks his parents for a tablet holder, but they explain that it is not something Spencer needs. He understands, but he still has to find a way to hold the tablet without being uncomfortable. Then, Spencer remembers what his grandmother told him about being innovative and resourceful. What will Spencer create to solve his problem?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of a series that teaches children Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, or "IQ" principles, which are a set of communal laws that focus on the ways one is expected to behave. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally translates to "that which Inuit have always known to be true." This book teaches children about the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of qanuqtuurniq, being innovative and resourceful. 

This title encourages creativity and using what you have to solve problems.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.50" x 10.50" | Paperback 

“Stories have hearts, just like people. And the heart of this story is true, even if the things said or done have been switched around a bit.”

In this follow-up to the critically acclaimed Tanna’s Owl, Tanna finds a small, grey lemming, far too cute to turn over to the scientist who has sent the children out to gather lemmings for his research. Instead, Tanna deems Fluffi to be a family member and attempts to raise the lemming in her home. But when the lemming strays from its cozy bed behind the stove and into Tanna’s mother’s things, Tanna is forced to consider whether she has really done what is best for Fluffi. Is it possible to treat something poorly by trying to treat it well?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of the Tanna's Animals series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover

In this faithful retelling of a traditional story from the Kugaaruk region, told by Elder Levi Illuitok, a father must save his infant child from an amajurjuk, an ogress known to steal children. When the ogress takes advantage of the child’s mother being blind to trick her into giving away her child, the child’s father embarks on a quest to save his infant from certain death.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Additional Information
28 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Paperback

It’s Papatsie’s birthday, and her parents have a big surprise for her. She and her best friend Ashley will be going on a scavenger hunt! Follow along as Ashley and Papatsie find clues hidden in familiar spots in their community, which eventually lead them to a birthday surprise. Woven into the clues are examples of positional language and simple shapes. This helps children build early math skills through an engaging story.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Includes many examples of positional language and simple shapes.  These help children build early math skills through an engaging story.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

The lemming may be tiny...but his smarts are larger than life! Can he outsmart the mighty owl?

An owl swoops down to eat the lemming for a snack. But the lemming is smart and has a plan to trick the boastful owl. How will the lemming escape into his den? Find out in this well-known Inuit traditional story that has been simplified for younger readers to enjoy.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

“Long ago, animals were different. They could speak. They wore clothing. They used tools…”

Raven and Loon are best friends. They love to sew clothes for each other. But when Raven won’t hold still to be measured for a new coat Loon is making, Loon gets mad. What happens when these two friends disagree?

Uncover this traditional Inuit story retold in simple and accessible prose for developing readers to enjoy over and over again!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover

Akagaq, the youngest brother of three, is confident but forgetful. When he gets caught in a blizzard he makes a tent, but it is no match for the powerful winds. Trapped in the cold, Akagaq is helped by his brother Tiriaq. Tiriaq digs into a snowdrift for shelter, but the wind is still too strong and blows out their lamp. Akkiutaq, the eldest brother, arrives to save them, and brings them to the iglu he has carefully built. The wind threatens to destroy the iglu as well, but the shelter proves strong, and the brothers are safe. The brothers learn an important lesson about paying attention to their Elders, and taking care in what they do.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

An adaptation of The Three Little Pigs story.

This story has many authors. Grade 4 students: Avra, Andrew, Michael, Puya, Tayshaun, Kyrene, Robert, Hailey, Iqaluk, Sulu, Dylan, Atuat, Joseph, Nolan, and Lisa, as well as their teacher Raymond Gianfrancesco. Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributions.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.50" x 9.50" | Paperback

“Panik, do you know how much I love you? When I look at the horizon, past the vast tundra, I see no end. That is how much I love you.”

In this lovingly told book, a mother recounts for her daughter all the things she loves about her, connecting each attribute to an element of the Arctic landscape or Inuit traditional life. As her daughter’s eyes glisten like the fire of a seal oil lamp, and her courage shines bright like buds of purple saxifrage fighting through a thick blanket of snow, the mother weaves a beautiful narrative of connection and love that will warm the hearts of all readers.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover

Ukpik’s mother is eager to teach Ukpik how to prepare caribou skin, dry it, and use it to sew a pair of simple, useful mitts. But Ukpik can’t stop thinking about the beautiful new beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. They are so bright and beautiful! Anaana knows it is more important for Ukpik to learn the skills she will need to make her own clothing in the cold Arctic climate, so she insists that Ukpik sit with her and learn the basics, while having a bit of fun, too. Though Anaana won’t let Ukpik sew with the new beads just yet, she does have a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy the new-found treasures while also learning the skills she will need to provide for herself and her family.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Umingmak likes to move slowly, taking in her beautiful surroundings. But her friends like to move quickly. She can’t keep up with them! See how Umingmak and her friends work together to solve their problem. Will they be able to come up with a solution that everyone is happy with?

Educator & Series Information
Hurry Up, Umingmak! tells the story of a group of friends who solve a problem through consensus decision-making.

Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Dual-language: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
44 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Lena and Ruby are best friends. They love to have sleepovers, bake cookies, and make up dance routines. They are also both adopted. Learn about how the two girls met as they talk about their own unique adoption experiences, including Inuit custom adoption and transracial adoption.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Lena and Ruby teaches children about the traditional practice of Inuit custom adoption.

This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic. It is a Level 11 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. F&P Level of this book: L.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Colour illustrations | Hardcover 

Moar has always loved autumn—playing outside with his friends, feeling the weather get colder—but there is one thing about autumn that really worries Moar. The moon. The days become shorter and the moon, with its creepy face and eerie smile, seems to be looking down on him before he can even get home from school! So, one day, Moar is determined to get home before the moon appears in the sky. But there are so many fun things to do on the way home, he may just run out of time!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

A fun and gentle social-emotional exploration of fear.

Themes: Iqaluit, Inuit, Nunavut, Indigenous, Moon, Arctic, Autumn, Imagination and Play

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Nanuq is so excited when she finds out she is going to be a big sister! She thinks about all the fun things she will do with her new sibling. But when her baby brother is born, he cries all the time. Her parents are so busy with the baby, they don’t have time for her anymore. Nanuq feels lonely. Is this really what being a big sister is like? See how Nanuq’s friends help her understand that there are good things about being a big sister, too.

Educator & Series Information
This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Recommended Ages: 3 - 5

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
44 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback 

Palluq and Aksaajuq know it is important to help out. See how Palluq and Aksaajuq help their anaana by doing chores around the house. They learn that the work gets done much more quickly when they help each other.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic. This is a Level 10 book in the series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is J.

Recommended for ages 6-8.

Curriculum Connections: Personal and social development. This book teaches children about roles and responsibilities and the value of helping out their family members.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | paperback | colour illustrations