Dual or Triple Language
Synopsis:
One rainy day, Solomon is playing inside with his sister. Their mom is cooking polar bear meat in a big pot of water. Suddenly, he trips and burns his arm in the pot of boiling water! The burn is so bad that he must travel to the health centre in the neighbouring community of Pond Inlet. Solomon has to stay in Pond Inlet until his arm heals. Even though Solomon misses his home, he likes playing with the other kids at the health centre and exploring the new and exciting community of Pond Inlet.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.
In My Trip to Pond Inlet children learn about the responsibility of being safe around hot water and taking care of themselves after an injury.
Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut
This book is part of the Community Connections series.
Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Paperback
Synopsis:
The third book in the Nôhkom series, in Cree and English, tells a story about gathering leaves for Labrador tea, while listening in different ways.
A child, her family and her friend have arrived at their favorite picnic spot by the lake, but before they eat lunch Nôhkom suggests they pick leaves for Labrador tea. Once among the trees, Nôhkom pauses for a moment to listen, and the others do too. Nôhkom prays, the girls take their turn, then Nôhkom shows them where to find the leaves. Nôhkom and Mom rest after harvesting, but the girls opt for a swim in the lake ... though they're quite happy to warm up afterwards with freshly brewed Labrador tea. And when it's time for the picnic, the girls take another turn at listening.
Beautifully rendered paintings in acrylic on canvas show the family outing. Includes a recipe for Labrador tea as well as a salve made from Labrador Tea leaves.
Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 3 to 7.
Written in short sentences in Cree and English (with Cree text appearing in standard roman orthography and syllabics), the book is a good choice for beginning readers and/or language learners.
This book is the third book in the Nôhkom series.
The story features different forms of listening — in the bush, to teachings from Nôhkom, to the conversation of family and friends (when listening can be especially fun!).
Key Text Features
illustrations
recipe
informational note
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Authenticity Note: Translator Leona Morin-Neilson is the inspiration for the stories and art in the Nôhkom series, which highlights her traditional knowledge of the uses of wild plants. She collaborated with the author to create this work and translated it into Cree.
Because of the collaboration between Leona and the author, and Leona's Cree translation, this book has been labelled as containing Authentic Indigenous Text. It is up to readers to determine if this work is authentic for their purposes.
Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 12.25" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
Un enfant anishinaabe explore l’histoire d’une precieuse graine de mnoomin et le cercle de vie que le mnoomin entretient.
Redigee en anishinaabemowin et en francais, l’histoire se deroule au moment de la recolte. L’enfant tient une graine de mnoomin et imagine toute la vie qui a rendu possible une seule graine : l’ephemere, le brochet, le rat musque, l’aigle et l’orignal ont tous eu un role a jouer dans sa creation. Que se passera-t-il si la graine germe? Les feuilles immergees abriteront les jeunes poissons, les pousses protegeront les canetons, les tiges nourriront les larves, qui a leur tour fourniront de la nourriture aux chauves-souris... jusqu’a ce que le mnoomin soit a nouveau pret a etre recolte.
Cette histoire magnifiquement ecrite et illustree revele l’importance culturelle et ecologique du mnoomin.
Educator Information
Recommedned for ages 4 to 6.
Written in Anishinaabemowin and French.
This book is available in Anishinaabemowin and English: Mnoomin maan'gowing / The Gift of Mnoomin.
Additional Information
36 pages | 8.51" x 8.73" | Paperback
Synopsis:
Alice loves her community, and she's excited to show others her favourite things to see and do throughout the year. From ice fishing to collecting clams to cheering on hunters in the community, there is always something to enjoy in Sanirajak.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.
Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut
Readers will learn about different activities people do in each season in Sanirajak, Nunavut in Sanirajak, a Place I Love.
Sanirajak, a Place I Love teaches about the values of community and sharing food with community members after a hunt.
This book is part of the Community Connections series.
Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Paperback
Synopsis:
The Cherokee Syllabary: An Illustrated Key to the Cherokee Language reintroduces adults as well as children to their language once again. The introduction and pronunciation key aid in understanding the beautifully illustrated syllabary characters. Accompanying each illustration is a Cherokee word that contains the Cherokee syllabary character, the Cherokee sounds of each syllabary character in the word, the word in English and a row of syllabary characters with sound of each below. Young children will be enchanted by the delightful illustrations. The concept for the illustrations was influenced by medieval illuminated manuscripts. The book is a valuable educational resource for schools and libraries that adds multicultural diversity to their classrooms and collections.
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8, but anyone learning the Cherokee language could find this useful.
Includes an Understanding the Text page, nothing that the Cherokee alphabet isn't an alphabet but a syllabary (each Cherokee character represents a complete syllable) and explaining more about the information in the book.
Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
How did Inuit come to know so much about Arctic animals? Follow a shaman as he is reborn as a polar bear, a ringed seal, and more to learn about what each animal teaches him. Through simplified text and engaging illustrations, young readers are sure to enjoy this adaptation of a traditional story.
This stunningly illustrated bilingual picture book serves as an early-level introduction to the rich, mysterious world of Inuit mythology. Adapted by author and linguist Jaypeetee Arnakak with the intention of teaching Inuktitut as a second language, The Shaman Who Became Many Animals can be enjoyed by Inuktitut language learners and curious young readers alike.
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.
Dual-language format: English and Inuktitut.
This is a traditional story told in a simple way for young readers.
Additional Information
36 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
It flows in your blood and echoes in your soul...Listen, my baby, to the sweet song of your home.
As daylight fades to dusk and slips into darkness, this gentle lullaby celebrates the sounds of the Prairies and the Plains on a stormy summer's night.
From the hum of dragonflies to the drumming of thunder, with grasses swirling and the northern lights glimmering, This Land Is a Lullaby shares a song and dance—a gift from the ancestors that soothes children to sleep and reminds them of their deeply rooted connections to the land.
Written as a lullaby for the author's daughter and featuring striking pointillism artwork, this lush lullaby of the land honors the beauty of the Prairies and the Plains and the spiritual connection between Indigenous children, ancestors and their Traditional Territories.
This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Plains Cree.
Reviews
“The book’s lexical simplicity and visual dynamism will engage even the youngest readers, providing a beautiful glimpse into the unbreakable bond between Indigenous people, their lands, and their ancestors who are still a part of them. Like a stirring song, this tale will move readers with its tranquil, reverent tone.”- Kirkus Reviews
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Dual Language Format: English and Plains Cree.
Reading Levels
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: M
Lexile measure: AD570L
Guided Reading Level: M
This book is available in English: This Land Is a Lullaby
Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
Depuis la disparition de sa mère, Luisa, une Inuk de neuf ans, a perdu la voix. Un soir, après avoir suivi son père, elle s’égare dans la toundra et, parvenue au pied d’un inukshuk, elle est transportée dans un monde magique. Elle y fait la rencontre d’étranges créatures qui lui permettront de retrouver sa voix et sa maison.
Reviews
« L’auteure a transformé la perception traditionnelle de Mahaha, Qallupiluk et Sedna, en leur donnant une profondeur et une complexité nouvelles. En les présentant sous un angle bienveillant, elle renverse les stéréotypes. Cela permet de s’interroger sur la manière dont nous avons historiquement perçu et jugé ce qui est différent ou inconnu. Cette interprétation est audacieuse et empathique! […] Ce roman se positionne ainsi comme une œuvre porteuse de sens, à la croisée de la tradition et de la modernité. »– Amélie André, revue Lurelu
Educator Information
Juvenile Fiction
Bilingual: French and Inuktitut
Additional Information
Paperback
Synopsis:
Tsunaxen sets off on a relaxing canoe ride and has an adventure instead!
In a Coast Salish village, beautifully described with bright illustrations, lives young Tsunaxen who knows to practice his cultural teachings by giving thanks and trusting in the Creator, no matter what he encounters.
Educator Information
Recommended for Grades 3 and under.
Dual-Language: English and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish)
Additional Information
32 pages | 7.90" x 9.80"
Synopsis:
Kudlu's children will not go to sleep until he tells them a story of long ago. Before they will shut their eyes, they want to hear about a time long before Kudlu was born, a time when the world was magic. Before they can sleep, they want to hear about giants, animals disguised as humans, little people the size of lemmings, and all of the other wonderful things that existed way back then.
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut
Reviews
“A bilingual sampler—cold of setting but warm of spirit.” — ★ Kirkus
Additional Information
44 pages | 8.75" x 8.75" | Paperback
Synopsis:
"There are many things I would like to do and see with my friend in Qikiqtarjuaq."
Monica wants to visit her friend Mary in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut. Monica likes to imagine all the fun they will have together there. Monica and Mary will go camping, fish for delicious Arctic char, and see the big icebergs around the community. There will be lots to do when Monica visits Qikiqtarjuaq in this bilingual picture book!
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut.
This book is part of the Community Connections series.
Additional Information
19 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback
Synopsis:
This poetic journey through Inuit oral history gives a glimpse of traditional beliefs surrounding the creation of the world. From the creation of day and night and the Sun and the Moon, to the origin of Death, this collection of simple retellings is richly supported by the artwork of acclaimed artist Germaine Arnattaujuq.
Featuring a foreword by the artist about her work illustrating Inuit myths and legends, this introduction to traditional Inuit stories is based on the animated film Arctic Song, which was co-produced and co-directed by Germaine Arnattaujuq and Neil Christopher.
Educator Information
Dual-language: English and Inuktitut
Additional Information
72 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
A lullaby of reconciliation and reclamation, celebrating the ancestral relationship between Indigenous children and the land that is forever their home.
Under glowing morning sun and silvery winter moon, from speckled frogs croaking in spring to summer fields painted with fireweed, this meditative lullaby introduces little ones to the plants and animals of the Prairies and the Plains. Featuring stunning artwork by celebrated artist Carla Joseph, Forever Our Home is a beautiful and gentle song about our spiritual connection to the land.
Reviews
A tender hymn to the prairie in all seasons...Uplifting and joyous." — Kirkus Reviews
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Written in both Plains Cree and English and featuring stunning artwork by celebrated artist Carla Joseph, Forever Our Home / kâkikê kîkinaw is a beautiful and gentle song about our spiritual connection to the land.
Find the English version here: Forever Our Home
Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
“As we anchored in the cove where the glacier touched the sea, I had this funny feeling that I had to have a pee!”
Gunner the dog can’t wait to go fishing with his family. But on their way, he starts to feel a familiar urge. He has to go pee! Gunner’s mom rushes him to shore, but as they get closer, they encounter a scary surprise. Can Gunner make it to land before it’s too late?
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.
Bilingual: Inuktitut and English
F&P Level: L
Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
Souhaitant faire connaitre aux jeunes de tous les horizons ses héros autochtones, Wab Kinew a composé des textes inspirants mettant en vedette des héros autochtones du Canada et des États-Unis. Malgré leur expérience unique, tous ont ceci en commun : la confiance en soi et un lien avec le territoire. Les superbes illustrations du célèbre artiste Joe Morse donnent vie à ces héros d’autrefois et d’aujourd’hui qui ont montré au monde qu’ils ont su et savent aller de l’avant et qu’ils comptent.?En 2018, la version originale d’Héros autochtones • Anishinaabewi-ogichidaag, intitulée Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes, a figuré parmi les finalistes du Prix littéraire du Gouverneur général, dans la catégorie de la littérature jeunesse, livre illustré.
Educator Information
French/Anishinaabemowin. Traduction en Anishinaabemowin par Roger Roulette.
This book is available in English: Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes