Picture Books

Find out how to build an iglu!

In this book, Grandpa explains to his grandchild how we make iglus today, how and why they were made traditionally, and stories about iglus.

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.  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. This book's F&P Level is O.

Curriculum Connection: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Environmental Awareness; History; Heritage.

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
32 pages | 9.00" x 7.00"

This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a celebration of summer vacation and West Coast island life. Every day is different on Gran's island in the Salish Sea as granddaughter climbs big-leaf maples, eats blackberries, explores tide pools and sandstone caves and examines ancient middens and petroglyphs. She and Gran watch harbor seals sunning themselves and Gran's neighbor carving an eagle out of a piece of cedar while drinking fresh nettle tea. And on her way home, our young narrator sees a pod of orcas, breaching, tail lobbing and spy-hopping as she says goodbye to the island for another summer.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75"

Recommended Ages: 4-8

It’s time for Siasi to go to bed, but she doesn’t want to brush her teeth or put away her toys. It’s so much more fun to play with all the animals of the Arctic! Wouldn’t everyone rather dance with polar bear, howl with the wolves, and swim with the fish instead of get ready for bed? In this charming bedtime story, readers follow Siasi on a nighttime adventure as she comes up with excuse after excuse for why she’s not quite ready to go to bed.

This story is inspired by the authors' daughter Siasi.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 8.00"

One kiss, two kiss, three kiss, four! So many kisses and so many more. From bestselling author Richard Van Camp comes a delightful counting book that honors families and can be used to praise your little ones as they learn to count. Ten kisses from your sweet baby might not be enough to get you through this adorable book, so you'll just have to read it over and over!

Educator Information
This book is a dual-language book in English and Plains Cree Y dialect.

Recommended for Grades K-2 for the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Indigenous Language, Social Studies.

Translated by Mary Cardinal Collins.

Additional Information
26 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Board Book

Authenticity Note
Because this book is written and translated by an Indigenous author and translator, and because it contains Cree language, an element of Indigenous culture, this work has received the Authentic Indigenous text label and a text content label of Cree.  The story itself and the images within the book are not specifically Indigenous or Cree, however.

One beautiful spring morning, a group of friends go seal hunting so they can make a delicious stew. Hungry and tired, they begin to think they’ll have to give up . . . until they finally spot a seal!

This fun book brings to life a popular song by the one-of-a-kind band The Jerry Cans.

The fast-rising Northern stars The Jerry Cans create music inspired by their hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut. With their unique mix of Inuktitut alt-country, throat singing, and reggae, The Jerry Cans are a distinctly Northern, one-of-a-kind group. The band members perform many of their songs in Inuktitut and are passionate about preserving the language, even as the North and their home community of Iqaluit evolve. They are committed to representing Northerners and to challenging common misperceptions they have encountered about life in the Arctic; their music evokes the contemporary North and the spirited people who reside there. It is not only their political motives, but their rapidly developing reputation for getting elders and young people dancing, that has forced people to start noticing this high-energy group. This truly unique band will take you on a stroll through the streets of Iqaluit to share a glimpse of life in Arctic.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 5-7.

Delivered in a dual-language format of English and Inuktitut.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Authenticity Note: One of the members of The Jerry Cans is an Inuk accordion player and throat singer. This book has received the Authentic Indigenous Text label because of its content, the Inuktitut language, and the fact that it is written in part by an Indigenous person. It is up to readers to determine if this book is authentic for their purposes.

Nilak has a lot of fun during the Arctic winter!

Nilak, a young polar bear, has fun sliding down hills and playing games on the sea ice, such as pretending to be an Arctic explorer or a tuniq from long ago!

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.  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 E.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Environmental awareness; History; Heritage.

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Additional Information 
16 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

You can see a lot of things on the Arctic shoreline!

This illustrated book describes interesting items that can be found along the Arctic shoreline.

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.  It is a Level 4 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. On the Arctic Shoreline's F&P Level is A.

Recommended for ages 3-5.

Additional Information 
8 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Siku and Kamik have a lot of fun together!

This book shows all the different ways the dogs have fun in their Arctic community together.

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 & Kamik Like to Play 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 C. 

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Additional Information 
8pages | 8.00" x 8.00" 

Siku and Kamik are ready for a snack!

This humorous story describes how Siku and Kamik show they are hungry and what they will do to get a treat.

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.  It 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. This book's F&P Level is F.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Environmental Awareness; Identity.

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Additional Information 
24 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Siuluk is a very strong man. He’s so strong that people tell him he must be the last of the Tuniit, friendly giants who once lived in the North. Just like those giants, Siuluk is so strong that he can carry an entire walrus over his shoulder.

But not everyone believes that Siuluk is strong. One day, when a group of men tease Siuluk about his size, he has to find a way to prove his strength once and for all—but how?

Based on traditional stories from the Chesterfield Inlet area of the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, this tale of Siuluk and his legendary strength will captivate young readers.

Educator Information
Fountas and Pinnell Level N
Suggested Ages: 5-7.

Additional Information
28 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"

Spirit Bear is off on another adventure! Follow him as he learns about traditional knowledge and Residential Schools from his Uncle Huckleberry and his friend, Lak'insxw, before heading to Algonquin territory, where children teach him about Shannen's Dream.

Spirit Bear and his new friends won't stop until Shannen's Dream of "safe and comfy schools" comes true for every First Nations student.

Dear Uncle Huckleberry,

Look up at the stars tonight. If you look closely, you'll see Shannen Koostachin lighting the way.

Shannen knew that school should be a time for dreams and that every child deserves to have a safe and comfy school, a proper education, and to feel proud of who they are. Every child is sacred.

Did you know that many First Nations schools get less money from the government than other schools? Shannen knew this was wrong. And so do I.

And like my mom, Mary the Bear, always says, when we see something wrong, we need to help make things right!

Did you know that Lak'insxw means "grizzly bear" in Gitxsan language?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.

This book is part of the Spirit Bear series.

This resource is also available in French: Spirit Bear: pêcher le savoir, attraper des rêves : Base sur une histoire vraie

Additional Information
52 pages | 216 x 216 mm

"Dream a little, Kulu, this world now sings a most beautiful song of you."

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.

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 (Hardcover)
• The Sweetest Kulu (Board Book)

This resource is also available in French: Kulu adoré

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"

Read about an ogress of the Arctic!

Based on an Inuit traditional story, this book tells the tale of a brave and quick-thinking orphan and his encounter with a strange Arctic ogress.

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.  It is a Level 8-11 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 N.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Heritage.

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
36 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

A child's first experience of death involves love, laughter, and some big questions about life.

Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank’s funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She is looking forward to playing with her favorite cousin, Ray, but when she arrives at the church, she is confronted with rituals and ideas that have never occurred to her before. While not all questions can be answered, when the day is over Norma is certain of one thing — Uncle Frank would have enjoyed his funeral.

This sensitive and life-affirming story will lead young readers to ask their own questions about life, death and how we remember those who have gone before us.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4-7.  

Curriculum Connections

• Health / human development
• Social studies / heritage and identity 

Additional Information

40 pages | 8.75" x 12.00"

Alex is attending her first Mi'kmaw spiritual gathering, or mawiomi. Though she is timid at first, older cousin Matthew takes her under his wing. Meeting Elders along the way, they learn about traditional Mi'kmaw culture: the sacred fire, drumming, tanning and moccasin decorating, basket-and canoe-making, and enjoy a Mi'kmaw feast. Most importantly, Alex finds her voice in the talking circle.

With contemporary illustrations by the bestselling illustrator Arthur Stevens, The Gathering is an inclusive story that will educate and entertain Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended ages: 4-7

Recommended in the "Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020" resource list as being useful for K-4 students in the areas of English Language Arts and Social Studies.

This book is part of the Indigenous Knowledge Series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 10.00"