Michael Araarluk Kusugak (auth) Vladyana Langer Krykorka (ill)
Annick Press April 2007
Ages: 4-7 pp24
Softcover ISBN 10: 1550375040
ISBN 13: 9781550375046
Hardcover ISBN 10: 1550375059
ISBN 13: 9781550375053
"My Arctic 1, 2, 3," is an educational book, on many different levels. Your children will have fun learning the joy of counting, while exploring not only a unique northern eco-system and culture, but also how closely they are intertwined. Children can count their way through 1 to 10, 20, 100, and the seemingly intangible 100, 000, 000. On this numerical journey, Kusugak examines the intimate relationship between predator and prey. One lone polar bear hunts 2 ringed seals. Twenty wolves catch the scent of 100 caribou. A group of people gather the millions of berries that have ripened, while a lone polar bear decides the berry gatherers would not make a very good meal.
I love that this book is not simply a "1, 2, 3". It is a fluid story- one that folds human beings into its framework with the same vein of vulnerability that runs through the siksiks and arctic char. Not to sound like a Disney movie, but Kusugak is able to demonstrate the "circle of life" with a cohesive simplicity that will not be lost on your little ones.
My family particularly enjoyed the appendix, entitled "The Arctic World of Michael Kusugak and His Family". We have found the anecdotes to be not only entertaining, but invaluable, as they have helped to facilitate a dialogue between the three little inspirations and their Inuvialuit grandmother. This book is a favourite for them to read with her.
I cannot sign off without mentioning the illustrator, Vladyana Langer Krykorka. I never grow tired of her beautiful paintings, especially when they are of the North. She has infused what is usually considered a monotone landscape with vibrant blues, wispy whites, luscious greens, and fiery auburns. She has been able to draw out the natural colours of the North with amazing perception, and render it on the page with her strong artistic skill. I cannot say enough about my family's love for the books she has illustrated.
Even if your little ones have already learned to count, they will enjoy this wonderful peek into the Inuit culture, and learn from the beauty expressed in its pages.
- Parent Council's Outstanding from a Learning Perspective Honor
- Ruth Schwartz Award Finalist
- Chickadee Choice
No comments:
Post a Comment