Picture Books

Based on true events, Dolphin SOS recounts the story of three dolphins trapped in an ice-covered cove on the coast of Newfoundland. After the government fails to provide assistance, some young boys take matters into their own hands in order to save the distressed dolphins.

Reviews
"Striking, strong black, white, and gray—toned watercolor and collage art portrays the cold climate that the dolphins and rescuers endured. The happy ending will delight children after they witness how these animals were almost lost to the elements."— School Library Journal

"A beautiful book...It is a story of compassion, endurance, and a special brief moment when humans and animals connect. Everything about this book is done with elegant simplicity...Flett's artwork is exquisite, using mainly black and white to portray the landscape with a bit of colour...Highly recommended for both school and public libraries."— Resource Links

"This life—and—death story will resonate with readers as much as it did with the western Canadian writers and illustrator who gave it a new life....The spare text is set in a sea of whites and grays, a stark reminder of this moving rescue's chilly setting.... Distress gives way to relief in this you-are-there tale for young readers and listeners who enjoy real-life animal encounters."— Kirkus Reviews

"Dolphin SOS is a beautiful narrative which is based on a true event . . . a charming story of dolphin rescue [that] introduces children to modern superheroes."— CM Magazine

"Young Nicole tells this exciting rescue story based on an actual event . . . "It's a beautiful ending." We share Nicole's concern, empathy with the dolphins, and satisfaction at the end."— Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

"Julie Flett's picturebooks honour her aboriginal heritage."— Quill & Quire

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 4-8

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.25" x 9.33"

"...and this I need to know." With this refrain, Indigenous children are invited to re-learn their ancestral teachings about the Little People in their communities. With simple language and natural photographs, I Was Born Precious and Sacred acknowledges culturally integral concepts that promote the sacredness of life, the building of positive self-esteem, and an awareness of children's rights to be safe, loved and respected. Readers and listeners of all ages will be reminded that every aspect of a child is sacred and valuable and that each of us must work to preserve and nurture their minds, bodies, spirits and hearts.

Educator & Series Information
This is the first book in the Precious and Sacred series.

Reading level: K-3.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Authenticity Note: This book has received the Authentic Indigenous Text label because it was written by Debora Abood with the support and participation of Elders from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

Manny's Memories, by Author Ken Caron with his daughter Angela Caron, introduces us to the Métis community of Round Prairie, Saskatchewan through the eyes of a young boy growing up in the 1940s. Manny shares his boyhood memories of the once vibrant community not too far from Saskatoon's city limits. Though rural life at the time called for hard work, self-sufficiency, and generosity, there was always time to have fun and to enjoy being a young Métis boy. Artist Donna Lee Dumont's visual expression of Manny's Memories helps us see the world as Ken, called "Manny" in his youth, remembers it. Norman Fleury's accompanying Michif translation and narration returns to the language which Manny often hears as a boy. Manny's Memories leaves us with a rare and satisfying glimpse of life not so long ago.

Educator Information
Grade Level: Primary
Format: Book/CD, English/Michif-Cree

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.94" x 8.46"

It is winter. The land lies still, quiet and stark beneath a blanket of snow. The tiny footprints of a mouse can be seen in the light of the moon.

"Wrapped in the quiet, and there in the bleak, there stood a wise mouse, preparing to speak."

The words that mouse chose were from many years past. She spoke them into the cold night air. So begins the enchanting story of a very special Winter Solstice celebration.

Kwakwaka’wakw author Terri Mack and Tsimshian artist Bill Helin have collaborated to bring us this story of strength, friendship and celebration. The lyrical text and engaging illustrations will appeal to readers of all ages.

Author's note:
Gila'kasla!
I spent a year writing and rewriting this poem to be sure to convey the message clearly to my audience. It was important to me that the poem reflect the importance of us all joining together to find the sacredness in celebration, the joy of belonging within a greater community and the voice of determination inside of each of us. Inspired by Indigenous Peoples rising, healing and joining together I hope that this poem inspires our youth to be strong and determined in all their future goals.
~Terri Mack

Additional Information
24 pages | 9" x 12" | ISBN: 9781771740555 | Paperback

Leah Marie Dorion’s My First Métis Lobstick takes young readers back to Canada’s fur trade era by focusing on a Métis family’s preparations for a lobstick celebration and feast in the boreal forest. Through the eyes of a young boy, we see how important lobstick making and ceremony was to the Métis community. From the Great Lakes to the present-day Northwest Territories, lobstick poles—important cultural and geographical markers, which merged Cree, Ojibway, and French-Canadian traditions—dotted the landscape of our great northern boreal forest. This little-known aspect of Métis history vividly comes to life through Leah Marie Dorion’s crisp prose and stunning gallery-quality artwork.

Educator Information
This is a dual-language picture book delivered in English and Michif.  It includes a CD.

Additional Information 
72 pages | 10.98" x 8.54" | Michif translation by Normal Fleury

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"

“There’s a moon in the sky. It looks like a drum, which guides the earth where Taan is from.”

So begins a year in the life of Taan, which means “bear” in the Haida Language.

Alison Gear has based this wonderfully engaging and thoughtful story on one version of the Haida Moon cycle. It follows Taan as she experiences the wonder of the unfolding seasons.

Kiki van der Heiden worked closely with the children on Haida Gwaii to create the absolutely stunning felted artwork that gracefully complements each page of Taan’s story.

This is a story woven together by the community on Haida Gwaii.

Alison and Kiki worked closely with elders, teachers, children, parents, and caregivers to produce this unforgettable book. The title of each moon cycle has been translated into both Skidegate and Old Massett Haida, honouring language and wisdom. The children involved in this project, under Kiki’s gentle guidance, were hands-on each rendering of the felt pieces until they became the sculpted illustrations currently featured in Taan’s Moons.

When award-winning, best-selling author Richard Van Camp visited Haida Gwaii, he had the opportunity to read the manuscript for Taan’s Moons. He graciously agreed to contribute the heartfelt Foreword, which begins:

“Welcome to Taan’s Moons, one of the most beautiful books I have ever witnessed.”

We agree, Richard. We certainly agree.

We also want to give sincere thanks to Joanne Yovanovich, Tawni Davidson, Beng Favreau, and ArtStarts in Schools for their contribution to and support of this important book.

Authenticity Note: This book has been given the Authentic Indigenous Text label because of the collaboration of Indigenous peoples to create it. It is up to readers to determine if it is authentic for their purposes.

Little Zoo Sap and his family are moving from their summer home on the coast to their winter home in the deep woods. Unnoticed, the youngster tumbles off the end of the sled. Alone and frightened, Zoo Sap cries, and his cries attract the forest animals. Beginning with beaver and ending with the great bald eagle, the animals protect the baby and shelter him from the cold until his father comes to get him.

The new edition includes an author's note explaining the seasonal movement of the Passamaquoddy people and a pronunciation guide to the Passamaquoddy names of the animals in the story.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 11.

Additional Information
64 pages | 9.00" x 10.00"

When Raven came across Walrus expertly diving for clams, he quickly became jealous of Walrus's great clam-hunting skills. So, as Walrus was about to surface with a tasty mouthful of clams, Raven cast a spell on the ocean, freezing Walrus in place! But Raven soon discovered that his magic was no match for Walrus's great physical strength. This fun, dynamic animal tale pits two of the Arctic's most popular animal characters against each other in a cheeky and amusing battle of wits.

This award-winning book uses the letters of the alphabet to help young and old see the many, simple ways that they can fill buckets and fill their own buckets in return. When you help children become bucket fillers, you give them the key to happiness...for it is in friendship, love, and goodwill to others that we are truly happy. Yes, bucket filling is the moment by moment choice to be kind and caring. Teaching and encouraging children to be bucket fillers is one of the greatest gifts you can give to them.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 10.98"

Night-time themed artistic view of animals, fish and insects of the Northwest Coast.

"Goodnight birds singing each other to sleep....Goodnight frogs croaking in the night....Goodnight owls keeping watch through the night". All of creation says: "Goodnight". Artwork from various Indigenous artists.

Additional Information
Hardcover format.  Also available as a board book.

Through sweet, simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour as children see how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis. This wonderful book is a winner of seven awards.

Reviews
"A childhood play toy becomes the symbol of universal compassion and caring. Carol McCloud guides the readers towards making the world a better place to be. Her bucketfilling symbolism is written with sheer simplicity, yet results in powerful returns." -- Donna DeWitt-Schnell, thirty-year public education teacher

"This delightful book leads the reader to draw from the wisdom of his or her own heart. The power of affirming words and actions to strengthen families and spread joy is captured in the simple and enduring concept of bucket filling." -- Karen Wells, parenting facilitator; mental health clinician; counselor and teacher; mother and grandmother

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.59" x 7.99

The little girl in this story lives in a trailer near a forest in Saskatchewan, where her father is building a dam. She knows and loves everything about the place, but the dam is nearly finished, and when summer comes the family will move to Toronto - a city marked by a big red star on the map at school.

“Have the people in Toronto seen what I've seen?” the little girl asks, thinking of her road, her school, the forest where she plays hide-and-seek and where the wolf howls at night, the hill where she goes tobogganing in winter… And with her teacher's help, she finds a way to keep everything she loves about home.

This simple, beautifully written story, complemented by Matt James's vibrant, imaginative illustrations, will resonate deeply with anyone who has had to leave their home for a new place.

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.30" x 9.40"

When Jake finally gets a puppy to call his own, all he can think about is the fast, strong sled dog that his puppy will become. But Kamik is far from an obedient sled dog. He won’t listen, he tracks mud all over the house, and he’s a lot more work than Jake ever thought a puppy could be! But after a visit with his grandfather, who raised many puppies of his own while living out on the land, Jake learns that Inuit have been raising puppies just like Kamik to be obedient, resourceful, helpful sled dogs for generations.

Inspired by the real-life recollections of an elder from Arviat, Nunavut, this book lovingly recreates the traditional dog-rearing practices that prevailed when Inuit relied on dogs for transportation and survival.

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: le chiot inuit

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"