Painted Skies

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 of 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 colors 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 phenomenon.

Very Last First Time

Eva lives in an Inuit village in northern Canada. In the winter, people search along the bottom of the seabed beneath a thick shelf of ice for mussels to eat. Eva usually helps her mother, but for the first time, shes going to go by herself. She soon gathers a pan full of mussels. But then, her candle goes out, and the tide threatens to return! When she is finally safe with her mother, Eva proclaims, that was my very last first time walking alone on the bottom of the sea.

Not My Girl

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.

When I Was Eight

Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. The nuns at the school call her Margaret. They cut off her long hair and force her to do menial chores, but she remains undaunted. Her tenacity draws the attention of a black-cloaked nun who tries to break her spirit at every turn. But the young girl is more determined than ever to learn how to read.

Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay

Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay is the poetic tale of a human toddler meeting a polar bear cub, peacefully alone, out on the ice. There follows a gripping confrontation between human father and animal mother, with their mutual distrust and anxiety for their young.

Alaska’s Native Peoples

alaskaBeautiful glossy photographs and descriptions of the native people of the state of Alaska by Ken Graham.

Me Quieres, Mama?

me quieresIn a Spanish language version of a beloved bestseller, a child living in the Arctic learns that a mother’s love is unconditional. Mama, do you love me? Yes I do Dear One. How much?