Inuit

Nalvana feels like all of her friends have some type of superpower. She has friends with super speed (who always beat her in races), friends with super strength (who can dangle from the monkey bars for hours), and friends who are better than her at a million other things.

Nalvana thinks she must be the only kid in town without a superpower.

But then her mom shows Nalvana that she is unique and special—and that her superpower was right in front of her all along.

Awards
- 2017 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens

Reviews
“. . . [W]ell-written, [and] heart-warming . . .” — Quill & Quire

“Nalvana is a bundle of creativity, spunk, and determination—readers will be happy to know her.” — Kirkus

“. . . [A] very sweet story that encourages children to rethink how they evaluate success . . .” — The Book Wars

“. . . Nalvana’s superpower is not one of the athletic or other overt skills that are normally so admired in our current society . . ., Aviaq Johnston has made her story one of inclusivity, not exclusivity.” — CanLit for Little Canadians

“. . . [A] book kids will clamor to read, even as they learn terms like ‘anaana’, ‘inuksuk’, and ‘panik’. That’s its superpower.” — School Library Journal

Educator Information
An Inuktitut Glossary consisting of four words is included at the back of the book.

Recommended ages: 3-5

This book has been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. Its F&P level is L.

This book is available in a revised board book edition: What's My Superpower? (BB) 

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.75" x 8.75"

When Akilak must travel a great distance to another camp to gather food, she thinks she will never be able to make it. With a little help from her grandmother’s spirit, and her own imagination to keep her entertained, Akilak manages to turn a long journey into an adventure. Even though she at first feels that she will never be able to reach her destination, she keeps her grandmother’s assurance that her “destination is not running away; it will be reached eventually” in mind and ends up enjoying the journey that at first seemed so daunting.

Reviews

“Akilak’s Adventure is a worthy addition to school and public library collections.” — CM Magazine

“An engaging and recommended read-aloud for all collections.” — School Library Journal

“Akilak’s Adventure has timeless teachings about responsibility and the importance of imagination to make it a worthwhile read now and always.” — CanLit for Little Canadians

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 7.00"

"My sister and I were excited for a visit with our favourite elder, and we were hoping to convince her to take us out for an adventure!"

Adventure begins when Grandma takes her two grandchildren out for a trip to the lake. After showing the kids how to prepare for a fishing trip, Grandma and the kids enjoy a day of jigging in the ice for fish. Grandma shows them every step they need to know to complete a successful fishing trip, from what clothes to wear, to how to drill and clear holes in the ice, to how to make a traditional Inuit jigging rod. By the end of the day, the kids have a yummy meal of Arctic char, and they have also learned everything they need to know to go out on the lake on their own.

Reviews
“Fishing with Grandma, which offers an engaging tale of two grandchildren and their grandma on an Arctic adventure, is ideal for primary grades.”  — CM Magazine

“Readers learn about the traditional tools of the trade through prose peppered with Inuktitut and also take away a sweet message of caring for our elders, as the youngsters share their yummy Arctic char with those who can no longer jig for themselves.” — Hakai Magazine

Educator Information
Find the French translation of this book here: À la peche avec grand-maman

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"

Jake can't wait for his uncle to meet Kamik, and to see what an obedient puppy he is becoming. Jake's uncle is a great musher, who has won many dog sledding races, and if Kamik is good enough, Jake hopes today might be the day that Kamik finally gets to run with a dog team! Following Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story and Kamik's First Sled, Kamik Joins the Pack continues the story of Jake and his puppy Kamik as they learn from their elders everything they need to know to some day be part of a winning sled dog team.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Kamik series. Books in this series share traditional dog-rearing practices and dog-training techniques from the remote community of Arviat, Nunavut, through the life memories of community members. These books preserve the rich history of working dogs in Nunavut and celebrate the traditional bond between Inuit and their sled dogs.

This resource is also available in French: Kamik rejoint la meute.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

Big Sister is learning what it's like when Little Brother isn't so little anymore!

This book uses a repeating sentence structure to help children follow the humorous family story, and will help children understand the concept of changing family roles.

Educator 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. My Little Brother is a Level 8 book in the series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. My Little Brother's F&P Level is I.

Recommended for ages 4-6

Additional Information
20 pages | 7.00" x 9.00"

Siku and Kamik are good dogs. They want to go to school just like you!

With this fun book, children will be encouraged to follow a simple story with the help of supportive illustrations.

Educator 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. Siku and Kamik Go to School 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. Siku and Kamik Go to School's F&P Level is E.

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Additional Information
12 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

What are some things you can try when you want to feel happy?

This book introduces readers to simple action verbs and the comparative word "more."

Educator 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. Things That Make Me Happy 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. Things That Make Me Happy's F&P Level is B.

Recommended for ages 3-5.

Additional Information
8 pages | 6.00" x 8.00"

This book introduces kids to the spine—tingling, hair—raising creatures found in Inuit myths. From the mahahaa, a fearsome creature that tickles people to death to the palraiyuk, a reptilian creature said to have six legs and the body of a snake.

Ukaliq can't wait to go on his first trip to the city, but his best friend Kalla isn't so sure!

This humorous story uses a repeating sentence structure to help children follow Ukaliq and Kalla on their adventure.

Educator 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. Ukaliq and Kalla Go to the City is a Level 8 book in the series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. Ukaliq and Kalla Go to the City's F&P Level is J.

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 6.00"

All Viivi wants for her ninth birthday is a pair of kamiks. How can she show her parents that she's ready?

This book uses a humorous story to introduce children to kamiks, a traditional boot Inuit have worn for hundreds of years. An explanatory note helps children understand what kamiks look like and why they are worn.

Educator 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. Viivi's New Kamiks is a Level 9 book in the series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. Viivi's New Kamiks' F&P Level is I.

Recommended for ages 5-7.

This resource is also available in French: Les nouvelles kamiks de Viivi

Additional Information
28 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Jake's puppy Kamik is growing quickly, but the dog isn't becoming any easier to handle. All Jake wants is to raise his puppy into a strong, fast sled dog, but Kamik is far from ready to pull a sled with a dog team. With some advice and a little help from his grandmother, Jake learns basic principles of how to begin training a dog to pull. Kamik finally has his first sled, and he and Jake can finally begin exploring the tundra together. But Jake and Kamik are still inexperienced, and when a blizzard starts blowing in across the tundra, Jake has to rely on his knowledge to get home.

Inspired by the life memories of the author, an Inuit elder, this book lovingly presents basic dog—rearing practices that even the youngest dog lover can try.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Kamik series. Books in this series share traditional dog-rearing practices and dog-training techniques from the remote community of Arviat, Nunavut, through the life memories of community members. These books preserve the rich history of working dogs in Nunavut and celebrate the traditional bond between Inuit and their sled dogs.

This resource is also available in French: Kamik et son premier traineau.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

In the time before animals were as they are today, Wolf spends his days admiring all the other animals. Not content to simply be a wolf, happy and hunting with his pack, he watches the owls, wolverines, and caribou with envy, wishing that he could be like them. Wishing he could be anything other than a wolf. When the magic of the land finally grants his wish, Wolf finds out that what he admires may not be what he really wants in the end.

Reviews
"Children who are struggling to be satisfied with and confident in their identities may be able to identify with the wolf.  This book would be a good starting point for discussion.  Highly recommended for elementary school libraries and public libraries." - Sandy Campbell, The Deakin Review of Children's Literature

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.30" x 7.25"

Akuluk is not excited about visiting her grandparents in Nunavut. She would rather head south for summer vacation, somewhere with roller coasters and cotton candy. There can't be much to do way up there, Akuluk figures. But as soon as she steps off the plane and sees all the exciting animals that the tundra has to offer, Akuluk forgets all about her dreams of going south. On her first full day in Nunavut, she can't wait to travel out on the land with her grandfather to hunt for wild eggs.

As she learns about the different types of eggs, how to collect them properly, and the delicious meals that can be prepared with them, Akuluk knows that this is just the beginning of the exciting things she'll learn about the Arctic.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Paperback Edition Published: 2018

Margaret can't wait to see her family, but her homecoming is not what she expected.

Two years ago, Margaret left her Arctic home for the outsiders' school. Now she has returned and can barely contain her excitement as she rushes towards her waiting family -- but her mother stands still as a stone. This strange, skinny child, with her hair cropped short, can't be her daughter. "Not my girl!" she says angrily.

Margaret's years at school have changed her. Now ten years old, she has forgotten her language and the skills to hunt and fish. She can't even stomach her mother's food. Her only comfort is in the books she learned to read at school.

Gradually, Margaret relearns the words and ways of her people. With time, she earns her father's trust enough to be given a dogsled of her own. As her family watches with pride, Margaret knows she has found her place once more.

Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by evocative illustrations, Not My Girl makes the original, award-winning memoir, A Stranger at Home, accessible to younger children. It is also a sequel to the picture book When I Was Eight. A poignant story of a determined young girl's struggle to belong, it will both move and inspire readers everywhere.

Reviews
"For kids who are ready to tackle the not so sunny portion of history, this is a deeply felt exploration of identity and cultural crisis rendered as a deep, satisfying sigh appropriate for sharing aloud." — BCCB The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Boo, August 2014

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This book is available in French: Ou est ma fille?

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

This beautiful bedtime poem, written by acclaimed Inuit throat singer Celina Kalluk, describes the gifts given to a newborn baby by all the animals of the Arctic.

Lyrically and tenderly told by a mother speaking to her own little "Kulu," an Inuktitut term of endearment often bestowed upon babies and young children, this visually stunning book is infused with the traditional Inuit values of love and respect for the land and its animal inhabitants.

A perfect gift for new parents.

Awards
- 2016 Top Summer Read for the TD Summer Reading Club
- 2015 Winner of Wordcraft Circle Award: Picturebooks
- 2015 Outstanding Book for United States Board on Books for Young People
- 2014 Best Bedtime Book Huffington Post

Reviews
“[A] lovely bedtime book . . . Young children will be captivated by the stunning beauty of the Arctic world embracing little Kulu.” — Quill and Quire

“Highly recommended” — Canadian Review of Materials, 4/4 stars

“This is a terrific book for those who have a newborn in the house… And for those of us who just need a book that rights the world for us, that reminds us of that world in all its richness.” — American Indians in Children’s Literature

“. . . [P]lenty of material for both parents and children to enjoy.” — Books and Quilts

“Complementing Kalluk’s words are gorgeous illustrations by Alexandria Neonakis.” — The Book Mine Set

Educator Information

This resource is also available in different formats:

• The Sweetest Kulu (Paperback)
• The Sweetest Kulu (Board Book)

This resource is also available in French: Kulu adoré

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.25" x 8.25"