Juvenile Fiction

Just like his favourite veggie-eating dino, the stegosaurus, Sim can’t get enough of delicious greens—but his absolute favourite treat is freshly picked strawberries. 

When Sim and his family head out of the city to pick some delicious strawberries, he gets to hear how his mom picked berries where she grew up, in the Arctic! With Sim’s prehistoric imagination to help him, he and his sister quickly learn that while they may pick berries differently than their mom’s family did, there is much that stays the same. 

Whether picked from the tundra or from a farmer’s field, whether blueberries, crowberries, or strawberries, and whether served with a side of bannock or a side of ice cream, berry picking gets families out on the land together gathering the delicious fruits of the season. 

And there is nothing more delicious than that!

This Inuit legend, shared by Sanikiluaq Elder Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk as a bi-lingual story, explains the origins of a unique location outside of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. 

On a hill outside the community, it is said that ghostly dog growls can be heard. The Inuktitut name for the hill, Qalinguluk, means “a place where you can sometimes hear dogs growling.” In this book, readers will learn about the origin of these mysterious dogs and how they came to be associated with this hill.

Watercolour illustrations by long-time Sanikiluaq resident Margaret Lawrence give the book an authentic feeling of this distinctive place. 

"A lively #ownvoices romp into the power of intention—and the hilarity of trial and error."—Kirkus Reviews 

When the earth was new, words had the power to breathe life into the world. But when creating animals from breath, sometimes one does not get everything right on the first try! Based on a traditional Inuit story passed forward orally for generations in the South Baffin region of Nunavut, this book shares with young readers the origin of the caribou and the walrus—and tells of how very different these animals looked when they were first conceived.

Inuit babies spend much of their time in the warm embrace of their mother’s amaut, the snug pouch in the back of a woman’s parka where babies and small children can be carried. 

In this heartwarming story, a little girl helps out her busy aunt by packing her baby cousin in a cozy amaut. She walks her cousin and sings sweetly to her, finally lulling the fussy baby to sleep. 

Sharing a beautiful tradition that Inuit girls have practised for generations, author Ceporah Mearns shows young readers the joy of helping to care for the babies in their families. 

Hush my sweet one, close your eyes,

let me tell you a story of the Labrador skies.

This poem, written by Labrador Inuit author-illustrator Kayla Williams, takes readers on a lyrical journey through the skies of Labrador, showcasing all the beauty that makes “the Big Land” unique.

From snowmobiles gliding through silent forests to the snowy crunch of fur mukluks on the ice, the sights and sounds of Labrador are lovingly recreated for young readers.

This is our home of Labrador, the most beautiful place we could be!

Putuguq and Kublu are a sister and brother who cannot get along. They love to pull pranks and one-up each other every chance they get! When one of Putuguq's pranks does not go as planned, the feuding siblings find themselves on the land with their grandfather, learning a bit about Inuit history, between throwing snowballs, that is.

In each new adventure, Putuguq and Kublu learn about an element of Inuit mythology from their Elders, sometimes using what they learn to get the best of each other!

Putuguq and Kublu are at their grandparents’ house for lunch—caribou stew, Putuguq’s favourite! Putuguq’s worn out (and stinky!) kamiik remind his grandparents of the story of the amautalik and the orphan, a traditional story about a little orphan who outsmarts a child-stealing ogress. Grandmother’s storytelling over lunch starts Putuguq’s imagination running wild . . . . 

After lunch, Putuguq and Kublu decide to act out the story their grandmother has just told. But, for Putuguq, this is no ordinary play. He is determined to prove his fearlessness to an unsuspecting Kublu . . . with a little help from his stinky socks!  

What creatures lurk beneath the sea ice? Putuguq and Kublu – two siblings who can’t seem to get along- are about to find out! On their way to the shoreline, Putuguq and Kublu run into their grandfather, who has a stern warning for the pair: always beware when playing on the shore, because you never know if a qalupalik, a mythical creature that snatches children, is lying in wait under the ice. Kublu is pretty sure their grandfather is just trying to spook them with a scary story from the past….but maybe not?

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.

"A meaningful portrait of a young child living and loving in a unique period of North American history." — ★ Kirkus

Ukpik loves living in her camp in the North with her family and she especially loves thinking up names for her brand new puppy. When a captain from the south arrives to trade with Ukpik's father, she's excited to learn how to use forks, knives, and spoons. At first, Ukpik enjoys teaching the other children how to use these new tools. But soon, she starts to wonder if they'll need to use the new tools all the time, and if that means that everything in camp will change. After a conversation with her grandmother, Ukpik realizes that even though she will learn many new things, her love for her family and camp will never change - and it even inspires her to find a name for her puppy!

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.

One cloudless night, a fox falls to earth and comes across a family of humans. As the seasons change and they move their camp, she follows them, growing ever more intrigued by human ways—and especially by the oldest son, Irniq.

When Irniq grows older and sets out hunting on his own, he is surprised to enter his tent one day and find the lamp lit, the tea made… and a strange woman who says she is his wife. Tired of being alone, Irniq welcomes the woman. But soon he grows curious and cannot stop himself from asking too many questions. Where did the fox pelt hanging in their tent come from? And why did the fox that had been following him suddenly disappear?

Based on award-winning musician Beatrice Deer’s powerful song “Fox,” this graphic novel reinterprets a traditional Inuit story for a new generation.

In the world of Inuit traditional stories, animals and humans are not such different creatures, and animals often have much to teach humans about the world.
In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, a little orphan who has been abandoned on the sea ice by a group of cruel hunters is discovered and adopted by a polar bear elder. While living in the bear's village, the orphan learns many lessons about survival and his own place in the world.
Retold for contemporary audiences by Inuit storyteller Sakiasi Qaunaq and illustrated by internationally renowned artist Eva Widermann, The Orphan and the Polar Bear makes this beautiful traditional tale widely accessible for the first time.

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.

"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.

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.

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

Jake's puppy is growing quickly, but as Jake soon realizes, he isn't becoming any easier to handle. All Jake wants is to raise his puppy to be 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 must rely on his knowledge to get home. Inspired by the life memories of Arviat, Nunavut, elder Matilda Sulurayok, this book lovingly recreates basic dog-rearing practices that even the youngest dog lover can try.

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.

Based on an acclaimed National Film Board of Canada/Inuit Broadcasting Corporation co-produced animated short, The Blind Boy and the Loon is a beautiful retelling of a traditional Inuit story that both explains the origin of the narwhal and cautions listeners against the dangers of seeking revenge.

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril's mystical, brooding animation has been adapted to a picture book format that is suitable for all ages.

A timeless tale stunningly told.

The most magical things can come in tiny packages! In the Arctic, tales of tiny people who live on the land abound. This children's story follows the adventures of an orphan named Ava who is left to fend for himself by the adults in his village. One day, cold and alone, Ava stumbles upon a group of magical dwarves who finally show him how it feels to have a home of his own.

Co-authored by CBC personality Alan Neal and accompanied by Jonathan Wright's ethereal watercolour illustrations, this contemporary tale of Arctic magic will ignite the imaginations of young readers.

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 everything 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.

Talittuq is excited to start his first day of grade two. He is looking forward to the new school year, but as he meets his friends again for the first time after summer vacation, he notices that a lot of his friends’ families are very different from his own. Some have one mom and one dad, and some have only a mom. Some kids live with their grandparents. Some live with two dads or two moms. As Talittuq hears about all the fun his friends have had with their families, he learns that families come in many different shapes and sizes, and what holds them all together is love!

Ilua the ground squirrel loves nothing more than to relax in the cool tundra and nibble on some freshly picked berries.
Her family, on the other hand, is always telling her to hurry up, to scurry here or there, but Ilua prefers to move at her own pace.
But with winter fast approaching, it will soon be the time for Ilua and all the other squirrels to burrow deep underground to hibernate. There is lots to get done before the family can hunker down, and if Ilua relaxes for too long, she may just be left out of the den in the cold.

This revised edition, originally published as Stories of the Amautalik, shares two spinetingling tales of the dreaded ogress of the tundra, a creature that carries away unsuspecting children on her back!

New illustration in this edition bring the amautalik to life in even greater, creepier detail than the original. Revised text and additional content make this new edition a must-buy for young readers who are intrigued with the dark and dreaded beings of Inuit mythology!

Jon loves his life in the North. But when he feels a pain that won’t go away, he must go to a children’s hospital in the south to find out what is wrong. A doctor there tells Jon he has cancer and will have to stay at the hospital for a while.
Suddenly Jon’s life is upside down! But with a handful of tricks from the doctors and nurses, and new friends, Jon discovers ways to cope with some of the tricky parts of having cancer.
Accompanied by a resource guide for parents and caregivers, including hospital and support information, Jon’s Tricky Journey opens a conversation between Inuit children facing a cancer diagnosis and their families to help make a difficult and confusing time more manageable.

Joy is ten years old, living in Apex, Nunavut-a small town outside of Iqaluit-and loving life. Her little sister Allashua may be annoying, but all in all Joy loves living at the top of the world in Apex, or Niaqunngun as it's called in Inuktitut. She's doing well in school and even has a crush on a boy.

But Joy begins to notice her parents fighting a lot more than usual. Her mom is staying with her sisters in Iqaluit more than she is home.

And Joy's perfect life soon becomes a lot more complicated.

As Joy navigates her parents' separation and its affect on her family, she learns some valuable lessons about how to cope when life gets tough.

Told in the wry, funny voice of a smart and savvy ten-year-old girl, this book will appeal to young readers everywhere who have ever wished that things would just stay the way they are.

Nivi has always known that her names were special, but she does not know where they came from. So, one sunny afternoon, Nivi decides to ask her mom how she got her names. The stories of the people Nivi is named after lead her to an understanding of traditional Inuit naming practices and knowledge of what those practices mean to Inuit. How Nivi Got Her Names is an easy-to-understand introduction to traditional Inuit naming, with a story that touches on Inuit custom adoption.

"Quirky, playful, affirming fun!"—Kirkus

Four-year-old Leah loved being a pirate for Halloween. She never considered being a princess or a fairy, no matter what her friends said.
But once Halloween has come and gone, Leah misses so many things about her costume. She misses her sword. She misses saying "Arrrr!" But most of all, she misses her silly mustache.
But Leah knows that it doesn't have to be Halloween to play dress up. She can wear a mustache whenever she wants! She can wear one while she's watching a movie, or riding her bike, or playing her favourite game.
So when Leah's birthday finally arrives, she knows exactly what she wants to do: have a party where everyone must wear a mustache! At Leah's mustache party, everyone gets in on the dress-up fun, even Grandma!

"A tender bedtime tale set in a too-seldom-seen northern world."— ★ Kirkus Reviews

In the sky at nighttime, the northern lights dance, a mother's song sways on the breeze, and a raven roosts atop a tall building, bathed in the light of the moon. 

This lyrical poem sends readers sailing through the Arctic night sky to see and hear the unique beauty of a Northern night. 

Adoption among Inuit families, known as Inuit custom adoption, is a unique and age-old practice that sees families within Nunavut placing children with adoptive parents in the community as they see fit. This tradition remains a celebrated part of Inuit culture and identity to this day.
Nala's Magical Mitsiaq tells the story of how Nala and Qiatsuk became sisters through Inuit custom adoption. This story, lovingly based on the author's own family, explains the unique process of custom adoption and introduces kids to the importance of adoption within Inuit culture. Adorable illustrations and heartfelt text bring this tale of family love to life for readers both familiar and unfamiliar with this unique cultural tradition.

Shortlisted for the 2014 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award

In The Legend of Thunder and Lightning, a traditional legend that has been told in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut for centuries, two siblings resort to stealing from their fellow villagers.
In this tale of guilt and consequence, the actions of the two children lead them to flee punishment by escaping to the sky as thunder and lightning.
This beautifully illustrated traditional legend weaves together elements of an origin story and a traditional cautionary tale, giving young readers an accessible window into centuries-old Inuit mythology that is specific to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut.

Baby Muskox is all alone on the tundra, lost and very worried. When Mother Caribou and Baby Caribou find him, they bring him back to their herd. But even though Baby Muskox finds comfort with Mother Caribou, he knows he’s a little bit different from the rest of the herd.
As Baby Muskox and Baby Caribou grow older, the differences between them grow, too. Baby Muskox feels alone and left out in the herd. But one day, during a walk on the tundra with Mother Caribou, Baby Muskox finally figures out where he belongs.

The legend of Kaugjagjuk--a mistreated orphan who gains the strength to stand up for himself with a little help from the Man of the Moon--is a traditional Inuit tale told throughout the Arctic.

Re-imagined for modern audiences by emerging Inuit writer Marion Lewis, and brought to life by Kim Smith's beautiful illustrations, this version of the Kaugjagjuk story gives young readers a chance to experience this traditional tale that has been carefully passed from storyteller to storyteller for generations.

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.

In this traditional Inuit story, a simple walk on the tundra becomes a life-or-death journey for a young man. When he comes across a giant who wants to take him home and cook him for dinner, the young man's quick thinking saves him from being devoured—and in the process, releases fog into the world for the very first time.

Written by Cape Dorset elder Qaunaq Mikkigak and Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award-nominated author Joanne Schwartz, this action-packed picture book brings a centuries-old traditional tale to life for modern readers.

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.

Follow Moe and Malaya as they make fascinating discoveries at the nurses' office.

Moe wants to play with his best friend and cousin, Malaya. But before they can go exploring, Malaya has to visit the nurse for a checkup. What seems like an ordinary visit is going to be a funfilled learning experience with Moe coming along.

What does a nurse do?

Can you become a nurse?

What do they do with all their crazy tools?

With a keen eye for what captivates young readers, this book will teach curious children about nurses and their strange instruments, including that funny looking necklace, the stethoscope. On their visit the children learn about the unique career options nursing has to offer. While joining Moe and Malaya on their visit, children will learn how cool nursing can be and how they can become a nurse too!

A sweet and simple introduction to Inuit hunting practices and the proper treatment of game.
Nutaraq and Simonie are eager to go on their first hunting trip with their father. As they load up their snow machine and sled for the trip, Nutaraq hopes that she will be able to catch her first caribou that weekend, with some help from her dad. But when the trip nears its end and Nutaraq still hasn't caught her first caribou, she tries her very hardest to follow all of her father's advice about how Inuit traditionally hunted on the land.
This book focuses not only on basic, practical hunting techniques, but also on traditional values around the treatment of animals and the sharing of food.

This pan-Arctic Inuit legend, which tells the story of a friendly giant, is lightheartedly retold, featuring sweeping illustrations.

Inukpak was big, even for a giant. He loved to walk across the tundra, striding over the widest rivers and wading through the deepest lakes. He could walk across the Arctic in just a few days.

But being so big, and travelling so far, Inukpak was often alone. Until one day when he came across a little hunter on the tundra. Thinking that the hunter was a little boy alone on the land, Inukpak decided to adopt him. And so, from the shoulder of one of the biggest giants to ever roam the Arctic, this hunter experiences the world from Inukpak's perspective.

Leslie is new to the Arctic, and no one told her there would be so much snow, and so many interesting animals to see. Along with her new friend, Oolipika, Leslie soon discovers one the Arctic's most unique and breathtaking natural wonders, the northern lights.
Having never seen such lights before, Leslie is understandably shocked by them. Oolipika, on the other hand, knows that the ancient lights are more than just colours, and that the mischievous, playful spirits that the northern lights hold can be dangerous.
This contemporary narrative introduces young readers to an Inuit legend about the northern lights, followed by an epilogue that explains the science behind this amazing natural phenomenon.

When young Donald and his friends head down to the water to play, they have no idea that they are soon to encounter a mermaid, one of the creatures that his elders have told him about. Terrified, the boys run back to their camp, ready to tell everyone what they have just seen. But what did they see? They can't seem to remember it clearly. It is up to Donald's grandmother to explain to them the magical creature they just encountered.

From the bestselling author of In My Anaana's Amautik

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. 

Winter can be cruel in the Arctic, and food quickly grows scarce for those who cannot hunt. In these difficult times, the grandmother of an orphaned boy wishes aloud for the qallupaluit - strange, monstrous creatures that live under the sea ice - to take her grandson away forever.

The old woman soon regrets her hasty words when the little boy is snatched and carried away to the creatures' underwater lair. After enlisting the help of her fellow villagers, the old woman learns that her grandson may be happier with the qallupaluit than he ever was with her.

Written for contemporary audiences by acclaimed Inuit author Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and illustrated in a quick comic book style, this tale is sure to thrill middle grade readers.

Ukaliq and Kalla are two friends who could not be more different.

Ukaliq is loud, excited, and always looking for adventure. Kalla on the other hand, is calm, quiet, and knows it's best to be well prepared before travelling out on the land or sea ice.

When the two friends head out for a day of fishing, Ukaliq can barely wait to get his line in the water?but his eagerness to catch a fish may just leave him empty handed in the end.

There is a lot Kalla could teach Ukaliq about a successful fishing trip, if only Ukaliq would sit still long enough to listen!

The Shadows that Rush Past introduces young readers to some of the creepiest, scariest stories from Inuit mythology. These tales, told by critically acclaimed writer Rachel Qitsualik, bring to life four creatures from Inuit mythology: the amautalik, akhla, nanurluk, and mahaha.

These tales are filled with child-stealing ogresses; monsters that are half-man, half-grizzly bear; ice-covered polar bears ten times the size of normal bears; and a smiling creature that surprises unsuspecting campers and tickles them to death!

Written in a playful, conversational, sometimes funny style, The Shadows that Rush Past will keep young readers anxious for the thrilling frights that might lurk on the next page.

"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.

"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.

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 palraijuk, a reptilian creature said to have six legs and the body of a snake, this book introduces kids to all the creepy, spooky, and downright scary creatures told about in Inuit traditional myths.

The air is cold, the nights are long, and Halloween is just around the corner. This is the time of year when pumpkins fly!

In the remote, fly-in community of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, the last cargo flight of October brings some strange orange guests for the children. Seeing a pumpkin for the first time, the local kids eagerly carve and light their first jack-o-lantern. But when everyone adjourns to the community hall for the Halloween dance, the pumpkin is left alone outside. The land around Sanikiluaq is home to many spirits who love to cause mischief, especially this time of year. But what would a land spirit do with a pumpkin?

This adorable book gives young readers a window into how Halloween is celebrated in an Arctic Inuit community, incorporating contemporary celebrations and Inuit folklore.

This adventurous tale follows three boys from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, who after discovering an old oil drum on the beach embark on a journey they'll never forget! Their magical trip to the moon is brought to life by interpretive illustrations by several young artists.
Written and illustrated by youth living in the Pangnirtung area, this vibrant, imaginative, community-driven publication showcases the talents and ingenuity of local youths.

“A bilingual sampler—cold of setting but warm of spirit.” — ★ Kirkus

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.

A book of fables like no other!

Learn why the raven is black or how a little boy was transformed into a bird. Find out why a walrus used to have antlers and how an earth spirit pulled the first caribou from the ground. These fascinating stories will capture the imagination of young readers and introduce them to the rich mythology of the Canadian Inuit.

Anthony Brennan's illustrations are like nothing you've seen in children's books. Edgy, vivid and dynamic to the extreme, the images enrich the reading experience.

This beautiful compendium of tales shares eight classic Inuit creation stories from the Baffin region. From the origins of day and night, thunder and lightning, and the sun and the moon to the creation of the first caribou and source of all the Arctic’s fearful storms, this book recounts traditional Inuit legends in the poetic and engaging style of authors Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley.

In the past, Arctic animals did not look as they do today, but they could communicate just as well as humans can!

In The Walrus Who Escaped, young readers learn that walruses once had spiraled, curly tusks, not the long, straight tusks we recognize.

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! Walrus's curly, twisting tusks became frozen in the enchanted ice. But Raven soon discovered that his magic was no match for Walrus's great physical strength. Walrus managed to escape, but his tusks would never be the same!

Inspired by award-winning Inuk director Zacharias Kunuk’s short film of the same name, The Shaman’s Apprentice tells the story of a young shaman in training who must face her first test—a trip to the underground to visit Kannaaluk, The One Below, who holds the answers to why a community member has become ill.

Facing dark spirits and physical challenges, the young shaman must learn to stifle her fear and listen to what Kannaaluk has to tell her.

What toddler likes getting their diaper changed?

In this hilarious rhyming book, a little boy sees his world crumble around him as his mother prepares to change his diaper. But surrounded by a little love and feeling fresh and clean, he realizes that things may not be so terrible after all . . . unless he ever needs his diaper changed again!

Fun for babies, toddlers, and parents alike, this humorous book brings to life a scene familiar to all parents.

One of the most terrifying creatures to be found in traditional Inuit stories is the nanurluk, a massive bear the size of an iceberg that lives under the sea ice. Its monstrous size and ice-covered fur make it an almost impenetrable foe. But when a lone hunter spots the breathing hole of the nanurluk on the sea ice near his iglu, he uses his quick thinking and excellent hunting skills to hatch a plan to outsmart the deadly bear.

Jose Angutinngurniq, a gifted storyteller and respected elder from Kugaaruk, Nunavut, brings to life a story of the great nanurluk that has been told in the Kugaaruk region for generations.

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.

"The far north has never felt so deliciously warm." — ★Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will carry this gorgeous book close to their hearts."— ★School Library Journal

"Just right for bedtime, it's an intimate tale that celebrates simple warmth and comfort."—Publishers Weekly

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.

During the short Arctic summers, the tundra, covered most of the year under snow and ice, becomes filled with colourful flowers, mosses, shrubs, and lichens. These hardy little plants transform the northern landscape, as they take advantage of the warmer weather and long hours of sunlight. Caribou, lemmings, snow buntings, and many other wildlife species depend on tundra plants for food and nutrition, but they are not the only ones...

A Walk on the Tundra follows Inuujaq, a little girl who travels with her grandmother onto the tundra. There, Inuujaq learns that these tough little plants are much more important to Inuit than she originally believed.

In addition to an informative storyline that teaches the importance of Arctic plants, this book includes a field guide with photographs and scientific information about a wide array of plants found throughout the Arctic.

Jake and Kamik are finally ready to run their first dog sled race with a full team! But there is a lot to do to prepare, and Jake must follow his uncle’s lead if he and his dogs are going to be ready for the early spring race.

Kamik Takes the Lead is the fourth installment in the Kamik series of books following Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story, Kamik’s First Sled, and Kamik Joins the Pack. 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.

Building on the dog-training practices outlined in Kamik Joins the Pack, Arviat, Nunavut, author and dog musher Darryl Baker shares with young readers the basic information needed to prepare a dog team for a race.

Ukaliq is a fun and informative activity book about Nunavut, designed for readers aged two to five.

It's jam-packed with comics, stories, games, facts, photographs, and illustrations, providing young readers with entertaining and engaging opportunities to practice their independent reading skills.

This book features everything kids could want to know about Arctic hares, complete with full-colour photographs, a beautifully illustrated version of a traditional myth, and a lively and exciting array of educational activities, from mazes to colouring pages!

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 a.m. 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 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.

Selected for CCBC Annual Best-of-the-Year Book List 2014!

In the time before animals were as they are today, Raven and Loon were both white. Their feathers had no colour at all. Raven spent his days swooping through the sky trying to fight off his incessant boredom, while loon spent her days in her iglu working away on her sewing. One day, too bored to even fly, Raven visited Loon and suggested a sewing game that would give their feathers some much-needed colour. The results—not at all what the two birds expected—led to Raven and Loon acquiring their now-familiar coats.

"Folklore invitingly told and presented for a young audience." - Kirkus Reviews

"With its significant potential for generating discussion, this is a perfect book for school and library settings." - Quill & Quire

Ukaliq is a fun and informative activity book about the animals of Nunavut. Each issue focuses on a different animal and is filled with activities, games, and puzzles. Vibrant photographs and illustrations, including an illustrated traditional story, will engage and delight all little Nunavummiut! Available as English-Inuktitut tumble.

Ukaliq: Narwhals! includes full-colour photographs and true-to-life illustrations, featuring a circumpolar traditional story: The Blind Boy and the Loon. This issue also includes a maze, a colouring page, and fun facts about narwhals!

When Elisapee’s father brings home a baby seagull, Elisapee falls in love with the bird right away. She feeds and cares for her new friend, named Nau, and even helps Nau learn how to fly!
Nau grows, and grows, and grows some more, until she’s big enough to fly all over town and play with the other seagulls. Soon, it seems like Nau is ready to leave home for good, and Elisapee has to learn how to say goodbye.
Based on the author’s childhood experience, this charming story about learning to care for animals will delight young readers.

Pakak is in a new foster home, with new people, new food, and new smells. Feeling alone and uncertain, Pakak finds comfort in a secret shared with him by his anaanattiaq, his grandmother, and in the knowledge that he is loved no matter how far away his family may be.

Written as a gift for Inuit children in care by foster parents Kevin and Mary Qamaniq-Mason, this book is lovingly imbued with cultural familiarities that will resonate with children who, like Pakak, are navigating the unknown.

Pakak is in a new foster home, with new people, new food, and new smells. Feeling alone and uncertain, Pakak finds comfort in a secret shared with him by his anaanattiaq, his grandmother, and in the knowledge that he is loved no matter how far away his family may be.

Written as a gift for Inuit children in care by foster parents Kevin and Mary Qamaniq-Mason, this book is lovingly imbued with cultural familiarities that will resonate with children who, like Pakak, are navigating the unknown.

Une des créatures les plus terrifiantes que l’on retrouve dans les histoires traditionnelles inuites, est le nanurluk. C’est un ours géant, de la taille d’un iceberg, qui vit sous les banquises. Son énorme corps et sa fourrure couverte de glace font de lui un adversaire invulnérable. Mais lorsqu’un chasseur solitaire aperçoit l’aglu d’un nanurluk près de son iglou, sa présence d’esprit et son habileté à la chasse lui permettent de déjouer ce dangereux adversaire.

Jose Angutinngurniq, conteur exceptionnel et aîné très respecté de Kugaaruk au Nunavut, nous rapporte l’histoire du grand nanurluk. Dans la région de Natsilik, cette légende est transmise depuis plusieurs générations.

When the narrator of this fun and silly book is startled by the buzzing of a bee, she sets off on an adventure that sees her running from community to community, trying to lose her buzzing companion. When she has run clear across Nunavut, she finally realizes that perhaps this little bee isn’t such a fearsome foe after all!

In this adorable book to be shared with babies and toddlers, mothers explore their love for their babies as experienced through the five senses. From the sound of a baby's giggles to the smell of a kunik, this book celebrates the unique bonds shared between mothers and babies.

Le chiot de Jake grandit rapidement et Jake s’aperçoit vite qu’il devient difficile à contrôler. Tout ce que Jake souhaite c’est d’élever son chiot pour qu’il devienne un chien de traineau fort et rapide, mais Kamik est loin d’être prêt à tirer un traineau au sein d’un équipage de chiens. Avec un peu d’aide et quelques conseils de sa grand-mère, Jake apprend les principes de base sur la manière de commencer à entrainer un chien à tirer. Kamik reçoit enfin son premier traineau et, avec Jake, ils peuvent aller explorer la toundra ensemble. Mais Jake et Kamik sont encore inexpérimentés et, lorsqu’un blizzard se lève sur la toundra, Jake doit se fier au flair de son chien pour le ramener à la maison. Inspiré des souvenirs de la vie d’une ainée d’Arviat au Nunavut, Matilda Sulurayok, ce livre raconte les admirables techniques de dressage des chiens de traineau que même les plus jeunes amoureux des chiens peuvent essayer de mettre en pratique

Bowhead whales are the longest-living mammals on the planet, living over 200 years. In this heartwarming story, a grandfather bowhead recounts to his young grandchild calf all the beautiful, amazing, and surprising things he has seen in his lifetime, all while assuring the little calf that there is nothing more wondrous than the love a grandfather has for his grandchild.

Young Nukappia can't wait to get out to his family campsite on the shoreline. After spending all year in the south with his adoptive parents, Nukappia always looks forward to his summer visits with his birth family. After spending one night in town, Nukappia and his uncle Angu begin the long walk down the shore to the family summer campsite, where all of Nukappia's cousins and aunts and uncles are waiting for him. Along the way, Nukappia learns that the shoreline is not just ice and rocks and water.

There is an entire ecosystem of plants and animals that call the shoreline home. From seaweed to clams to char to shore grasses, there is far more to see along the shoreline than Nukappia ever imagined.

It's bedtime for baby ptarmigan, but he will not go to sleep. So his grandmother decides to tell him a bedtime story that he will never forget. With delightful illustrations by Qin Leng, this book is a simple, nursery rhyme inspired rendition of a traditional Inuit origin tale.

Published for the first time as a board book under the Inhabit Junior imprint, this book is perfect for the smallest of hands.

Akuluk is visiting her family in Nunavut and can’t wait to get out on her uncle’s boat for a ride into the powerful Arctic Ocean. Surrounded by her family, and with her trusty toy polar bear beside her, Akuluk experiences the beautiful sights, sounds, and animals that abound in the ocean and along the shore during the short Arctic summer—from a mother polar bear and her cubs to a family of belugas and tiny Arctic fox kits. As they encounter each animal, Akuluk’s aunt and uncles share with her how each species cares for its young, and how they protect their babies from the other animals who share their ecosystem.

This beautiful story of family connection and respect for the natural world teaches young readers how close humans are to our animal counterparts and that caring for the environment in which we live is one of our most important responsibilities

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 who can fly (or at least jump from a swing and seem to fly across the playground), and friends who are better than her at a million other things. But when her mom shows Nalvana that she is unique and special, she realizes that her superpower was right in front of her all along.

Starred reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, and The Horn Book Magazine!

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.

Ukpik’s mother is eager to teach Ukpik how to prepare caribou skin, dry it, and use it to sew a pair of simple, useful mitts. But Ukpik can’t stop thinking about the beautiful new beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. They are so bright and beautiful! Anaana knows it is more important for Ukpik to learn the skills she will need to make her own clothing in the cold Arctic climate, so she insists that Ukpik sit with her and learn the basics, while having a bit of fun, too. Though Anaana won’t let Ukpik sew with the new beads just yet, she does have a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy the new-found treasures while also learning the skills she will need to provide for herself and her family.

L’aventure commence lorsque grand-maman part en expédition au lac avec ses deux petits-enfants! Après que grand-maman ait montré aux enfants comment se préparer à une expédition de pêche, ils partent tous ensemble pour une journée de pêche à la dandinette sur glace. Grand-maman leur montre tout ce qu’il faut savoir pour réussir un voyage de pêche : que ce soit les vêtements à porter, la manière de creuser et de dégager les trous dans la glace ou la façon de fabriquer une canne à pêche inuite traditionnelle. À la fin de la journée, les enfants se régalent d'un délicieux repas d'omble chevalier, en plus d’avoir appris tout ce qu’il faut savoir pour faire leur propre voyage de pêche

Sukaq loves to drift off to sleep listening to his mother tell him stories. His favourite story is the tale of how a raven created the world. But this time, as his mother begins to tell the story and his eyelids become heavy, he is suddenly whisked away on the wings of the raven to ride along as the entire world is formed! This traditional legend from Inuit storyteller Roy Goose is brought to life through co-author Kerry McCluskey's jubilant retelling, and illustrated with photographs of Soyeon Kim's signature three-dimensional dioramas.

As Owl swoops down and blocks the entrance to a lemming den, he is sure that he has a tasty meal in the little animal he has cornered. But this lemming is not about to be eaten! This smart little rodent will need to appeal to the boastful owl's sense of pride to get away.

"Deliciously playful and imaginative."—Kirkus

Benny loves bananas. He eats them morning, noon, and night. He even rides a bike with a yellow banana seat. In fact, Benny has a secret, he hopes one day he will turn into a banana! And if there is one thing Benny knows, it’s that with a little imagination anything is possible.

Jake a bien hâte que son oncle rencontre Kamik et voit à quel point il est devenu un chiot obéissant!

L’oncle de Jake est un excellent meneur de chiens. Il a gagné de nombreuses courses. Aujourd’hui, Jake espère que Kamik est suffisamment bon pour avoir la chance de courir au sein de l’équipage!

La série de livres : Kamik, le chiot inuit, Le premier traineau de Kamik et Kamik rejoint la meute nous permet d’accompagner Jake et Kamik dans leur apprentissage, au contact de leurs ainés, de tout ce qu’ils doivent savoir pour former un jour un équipage de chiens gagnant.

« Rêve un peu, Kulu, ce monde te louange avec la plus magnifique des chansons. »

Dans cette magnifique histoire poétique à raconter au coucher imaginée par la chanteuse de gorge de renom Celina Kalluk, les animaux de l’Arctique viennent offrir leurs plus beaux présents à un nouveau-né.

Raconté de façon lyrique et tendre par une mère parlant à son petit « Kulu », mot inuktitut pour désigner affectueusement les bébés et les jeunes enfants, ce livre superbement illustré est empreint des valeurs inuites traditionnelles de l’amour et du respect envers la terre et sa faune.

“Panik, do you know how much I love you? When I look at the horizon, past the vast tundra, I see no end. That is how much I love you.”

In this lovingly told book, a mother recounts for her daughter all the things she loves about her, connecting each attribute to an element of the Arctic landscape or Inuit traditional life. As her daughter’s eyes glisten like the fire of an oil lamp, and her courage shines bright like buds of purple saxifrage fighting through a thick blanket of snow, the mother weaves a beautiful narrative of connection and love that will warm the hearts of all readers.

“We’ll love you as much as the narwhal loves its tusk.

We’ll love you as much as the seal loves its musk.

Little One, our new baby,

Welcome to our family.”

This loving bedtime poem shares all the ways in which a family will welcome their long-awaited new member. Sharing love as deep as the beluga dives and as warm as the shaggy hair of the muskox, this poem envelopes a new baby in the embrace of their new home in all its forms—the Arctic landscape and the welcoming arms of family.

Written by Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly, and illustrated with warmth and softness by Tamara Campeau, this sweet and simple narrative celebrates the beauty of creating a family and the unbounding love waiting to be shared with a new little soul.

"Spare and beautiful."—★ Kirkus

In very early times, there was no night or day and words spoken by chance could become real. When a hare and a fox meet and express their longing for light and darkness, their words are too powerful to be denied. Passed orally from storyteller to storyteller for hundreds of years, this beautifully illustrated story weaves together elements of an origin story and a traditional animal tale, giving young readers a window into Inuit mythology.

After thick-billed murre Akpa emerges from his egg, high on an Arctic cliff, he soon learns that he must embark on a long migration before he is even able to fly. Flinging himself into the icy water with his father to guide him, Akpa must swim 1,000 kilometres of his journey south before he is able to finally fly the final leg of his journey. Adult male murres are also unable to fly during this time of the year, due to their changing feathers, so father and son must navigate south on the choppy ocean waves, meeting new and unfamiliar creatures along the way.

Lorsque Jake reçoit enfin son propre chiot, il ne pense qu’au chien de traineau rapide et fort que celui-ci deviendra. Mais Kamik est encore loin d’être obéissant. Il n’écoute pas et répand de la boue partout dans la maison . . . Élever un chien est très exigeant, beaucoup plus que ce que Jake aurait pu croire! Mais lors d’une visite chez son grand-père, qui a lui-même élevé de nombreux chiens, Jake apprend que les Inuits élèvent des chiots depuis des générations afin qu’ils deviennent des chiens obéissants, ingénieux et serviables.

Inspiré des souvenirs d’un ainé d’Arviat, au Nunavut, ce livre parle d’élevage traditionnel des chiens de traineau, à l’époque où les Inuits comptaient sur les chiens pour se déplacer et pour survivre.

Akagaq, the youngest brother of three, is confident but forgetful. When he gets caught in a blizzard he makes a tent, but it is no match for the powerful winds. Trapped in the cold, Akagaq is helped by his brother Tiriaq. Tiriaq digs into a snowdrift for shelter, but the wind is still too strong and blows out their lamp. Akkiutaq, the eldest brother, arrives to save them, and brings them to the iglu he has carefully built. The wind threatens to destroy the iglu as well, but the shelter proves strong, and the brothers are safe. The brothers learn an important lesson about paying attention to their Elders, and taking care in what they do.

From the author of In the Sky at Nighttime.

A child makes their way along the Arctic shoreline on a dark day. Everything around them seems as ugly as their mood, from the weather to the fish and mud. This is the place they come to whenever they feel ugly.

But as the child closes their eyes and listens, the sound of the waves reminds them to breathe. The tiny krill flick their tails, and the brightly coloured sea stars seem to glow. What they once saw as an ugly landscape is now wonderful and vibrant, and alive with music and beauty. 

Building on concepts of social-emotional awareness, this book helps young readers see that they have the ability to control their own emotions.

Maniq loves her ittu (short for ittupajaaq, an Inuktitut word for grandfather). He’s brave—enough to wrestle the grumpiest polar bear, if he ever needed to! He’s tall—enough to see over the tallest mountain tops. He’s generous—enough to walk through a blizzard to make sure others have delicious food to eat. And above all, he loves his grandkids, every single one of them—and there must be close to one hundred, by Maniq’s count at least!

One bowhead whale! Two polar bears! Three orcas! Join Kuluk and Asa as they count all the animals they see! This introduction to counting and to Arctic animals helps young children develop their counting skills through short rhymes. It also introduces interesting collective nouns, like a blessing of narwhals and a bob of seals.