Putuguq and Kublu

Written by Danny Christopher

Illustrated by Astrid Arijanto

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-143-0

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

May 2017

The children of the title, Putuguq and Kublu, are a high-spirited brother and sister who love playing pranks on one another but in this early reader-graphic novel, they are no match for the wisdom of their grandfather who supervises and enlightens them.

The smaller and younger Putuguq tries to prank his sister Kublu with a snowball but she is older and onto his tricks and gets him with an even bigger snowball.  As he chases her across the tundra, Kublu trips on a rock and almost falls head first into an inukshuk.  Their grandfather takes this opportunity to tell them about the purpose of inuksuit (plural of inukshuk) and of the ancient Tuniit people who used them as hunting markers.  Putuguq, always wanting to show himself as the better-bigger-stronger sibling, tries to lift a heavy rock and just ends up looking silly.  But, he finds his own way to use an inukshuk and to get back at his snowball-dropping sister.

From Putuguq and Kublu 

by Danny Christopher 

illus. by Astrid Arijanto

These kids have spirit and lots of it and a good dose of sibling rivalry–of the friendly nature–that fuels their antics in their home town of Arviq Bay north of the Arctic Circle. (A double-spread graphic maps out key places in their community.)

From Putuguq and Kublu 

by Danny Christopher 

illus. by Astrid Arijanto

But the story is more than a sister and brother trying to "get" the other with snowballs or showing off.  It's a story of family and history and environment.  Danny Christopher has penned a simple story but it is perfect for a child who is an early reader.  The story teaches in a fun way and will help in developing visual literacy skills with the bright and bold graphics of Astrid Arijanto.  From the map to the explanations about inuksuit and the Tuniit, Putuguq and Kublu is a fun romp across the tundra that will spark discussions about the Arctic, the Inuit and getting along with your siblings.

From Putuguq and Kublu 

by Danny Christopher 

illus. by Astrid Arijanto

n.b. The word "putuguq" and "kublu" are Inuktitut words that mean toe and thumb respectively.  

Animals Illustrated

Walrus
Written by Herve Paniaq
Illustrated by Ben Shannon
Inhabit Media
978-1-77227-142-3
24 pp.
Ages 5-8
June 2017

Muskox

Written by Allen Niptanatiak

Illustrated by Kagan McLeod

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-122-5

24 pp.

Ages 5-8

December 2016

Narwhal

Written by Solomon Awa

Illustrated by Hwei Lim

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-080-8

24 pp.

Ages 5-8

September 2016

Polar Bear

Written by William Flaherty

Illustrated by Danny Christopher

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-079-2

24 pp.

Ages 5-8

September 2016

Last year, Nunavut publisher Inhabit Media created a new non-fiction series about arctic animals.  The books of this series, currently a total of four, generally follow a similar format, with chapters on range, skeleton, diet, and babies included in all, but also with possible chapters on predators, defense, traditional uses and fun facts.  Similar in organization but unique in delivery, the books inform, engage and illustrate the nature of these magnificent animals.

Walrus, the most recent volume, was written by elder Herve Paniaq who goes beyond the typical information texts about animals that describe the morphology of the creatures with some life cycle and behaviour.  Readers will also learn about the nature of the walruses' tusks, as anchor, ice pick and defense against their only natural predators, polar bears and orcas, and the function of the walruses’ whiskers and flippers. But it’s the uncommon info, like which bulls can be a threat to boats and how walrus meat is prepared by the Inuit, that makes Herve Paniaq’s Walrus distinct.  Moreover, Ben Shannon’s illustrations bring an elegance to the walrus that might not always be evident.  The cover alone is luxuriant in its depictions of walruses, with one walrus seeming to look out directly at the reader.

The earlier books in the series are all written and illustrated by different authors and artists.  The first book Polar Bear, written by William Flaherty with art by Danny Christopher, includes discussion about the polar bear as hunter and swimmer and its role in Inuit mythology.  Narwhal, written by Solomon Awa and illustrated by Hwei Lim, was also released last June, and includes comment about the narwhal’s deep diving and behaviour beneath the ice, as well as about its impressive tooth, often referred to as a tusk, that can grow up to almost 3 metres in length.  Inuit hunter and trapper Allen Niptanatiak’s volume on Muskox, illustrated by Toronto artist Kagan McLeod, includes extensive information about the muskoxen's strategies for defense and for withstanding the cold.  As in Walrus, the traditional uses of this arctic animal by the Inuit are discussed, providing a community connection that teachers will appreciate.

Animals Illustrated is a significant series for young animal lovers who are interested in reading for themselves about the animals of the Arctic, exotic for many, but without the onerous texts of animal encyclopedias that tell too little about too much.  Walrus, Muskox, Narwhal and Polar Bear strike the right balance of information and graphics, including only relevant and revealing science, intriguing our youngest readers to pursue further information about each as they choose.