Inuit

We use water for a lot of things.

This book describes the different ways people use water in the Arctic.

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.  It is a Level 7 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 C.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Indigenous perspectives

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
16 pages | 8.00" x 6.00"

Nadia Sammurtok lovingly invites the reader into the amautik—the pouch in the back of a mother’s parka used to carry a child—to experience everything through the eyes of the baby nestled inside, from the cloudlike softness of the pouch to the glistening sound of Anaana’s laughter.

Sweet and soothing, this book offers a unique perspective that will charm readers of all ages.

Reviews
"Each spread appeals to a different sense, creating a deliciously cozy and nurturing microenvironment for this lucky tot. Inuit author and educator Sammurtok brings her work preserving Inuktitut to the text, with a spare sprinkling of vocabulary (defined in a closing glossary). The repetition of “In my anaana’s amautik” at the beginning of each short paragraph is both lulling and reinforcing of the relationship between child and mother. Canadian illustrator Lishchenko’s use of textures and subtle colors blends well with the strong, simple text. Delicate pastels give the Arctic landscape a welcoming beauty, and fanciful depictions of the similes the narrator suggests lend a playful air. The far north has never felt so deliciously warm." — Kirkus, STARRED review

"This gentle story is warm, cozy, and loving—just like being in anaana’s amautik. Readers will carry this gorgeous book close to their hearts." — School Library Journal, STARRED review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

Discover this gigantic Northern tale.

This book introduces children to a traditional Inuit legend. Learn how the great giant Inukpak adopted a human hunter as his son.

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. 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: M.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity; Indigenous Perspectives; History and Heritage.

Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.10" x 9.20"

What do your family members do?

This book describes the jobs of different members of a child’s family.

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.  It is a Level 6 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 B.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Roles and responsibilities; Community engagement

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Kiviuq, one of the greatest and most important characters in Inuit mytholgy, is said to have travelled over land and sea, overcoming obstacles and successfully defeating formidable foes. In Kiviuq and the Bee Woman, Kiviuq faces one of his most frightening opponents yet: Iguttarjuaq, a bee in human form. Known as the Bee Woman, she is a fearsome figure who is said to cook and eat humans. Trapped in her tent, Kiviuq uses all his powers to get to his qajaq and escape the Bee Woman!

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 9-12

Additional Information 
40 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Featured on Anaana's Tent on APTN!

What do Mia and her monster friends wear to stay warm? Watch as Mia and the monsters get ready to play outside in the snow.

Educator & Series Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

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. 

Additional Information
16 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

What do you do on a summer’s day?

This book describes different things a child does on a summer’s day in the Arctic.

Educator & Series Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

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. 

Additional Information
16 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

Who is in your family?

This book introduces children to the names of people in a family. Colourful illustrations guide children to practise reading the single word on each page.

Educator & Series Information 
This book helps children to practise terms for different family members.  It helps children build vocabulary and literacy skills.

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 3 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 LB.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Simonie loves to dance! When he sees a sign for Taloyoak’s annual Christmas Jigging Dance Contest, he can’t wait to enter. But practising is hard work, and Simonie starts to worry that he won’t do a good job in front of all his friends and neighbours.

Luckily, with a little advice from his anaana and ataata, and some help from his friends Dana and David, Simonie learns how to listen to the music and dance the way it makes him feel. When the time comes for the contest, he’s ready to dance his very best.

Based on the annual Christmas dance contest in the community of Taloyoak, Nunavut, this heartwarming picture book shows how a lot of hard work—and a little inspiration—can go a long way.

Educator Information
Ages 5-7.

Additional Information
30 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams is the latest addition to the award-winning picture book series written by Order of Canada recipient Cindy Blackstock (Gitxsan Nation) and illustrated by Amanda Strong (Michif)!

Spirit Bear is on his way home from a sacred ceremony when he meets Jake, a friendly dog, with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jake tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant the hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC for short) is shared. The TRC will have Calls to Action so we can all help end the unfairness and make sure this generation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children grow up healthy and proud!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.

This book is part of the Spirit Bear series.

This book is available in French: Spirit Bear: Rendre hommage aux souvenirs, semer des rêves: Basé sur une histoire vraie

Additional Information
66 pages | 8.25" x 8.25"

When Tanna's father brings home an abandoned owl, she is not eager to take care of the needy, ugly little bird. Tanna must wake at 4:00 AM to catch food for the owl. She must feed it, clean up after it, all while avoiding its sharp, chomping beak and big, stomping talons.

After weeks of following her father's instructions on how to care for the owl, Tanna must leave home for school. Her owl has grown. It has lost its grey baby feathers and is beginning to sprout a beautiful adult snowy owl coat. As she says good-bye to the owl, she is relieved not to have to care for it anymore, but also is a bit sad.

This heartwarming story based on the author's own life experience teaches young readers the value of hard work, helping, and caring -- even when the thing you are caring for does not love you back.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for Grades K-2 in the areas of Language Arts and Social Studies.

Themes/Subjects: Connection to Land, Owls, Seasons, Animals, Responsibility, Caretaking.

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

This book is available in French: Le Hibou de Tanna

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 10.00"

When two rabbit sisters ignore their parents' warnings and decide to play outside on the open tundra, a hungry owl soon spots them and decides they will make a delicious meal. As a chase ensues, the sisters must act quickly, using the owl's own greed against him in order to get away.  

A traditional Inuit story and cautionary tale, this book presents a centuries-old narrative for a new generation of readers. 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3-5.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"

I have a lot of things!

This book describes items a child in Nunavut might have.

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.  It is a Level 5 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 A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Indigenous perspectives; Identity

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Miali loves spending time with her anaanatsiaq!

Anaanatsiaq has lots of stories to share about her past. Miali loves listening to Anaanatsiaq’s stories and learning about what life was like long ago.

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. It is a Level 12 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: O.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity; Indigenous Perspectives; History and Heritage.

Recommended for ages 7 to 9.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 9.00"

What do you do in your community?

This book describes different activities children do in an Arctic community.

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.  It is a Level 7 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 C.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Indigenous perspectives; Community engagement; Roles and responsibilities

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
16 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"