Lemming's First Christmas

Written by Jamesie Fournier

Illustrated by Tim Mack

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-543-8

28 pp.

Ages 0-5

October 2024

 

Avinngaq (lemming in Inuktitut) lives under a house and hears children singing, "Santa Claus is coming to town." When she asks Qimmiq (a sled dog), he tells her that Santa Claus puts presents under the tree. That just leads to more questions because Avinngaq doesn't know what a tree is. And so begins Avinngaq's quest to ensure Santa Claus visits her.

From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack

Qimmiq has a simple explanation about a tree–"It grows out of the ground, and you decorate it"–and he goes with Avinngaq to find one. The other Arctic animals bring forth what they suggest might be a tree. From Natsiq (a ringed seal) who brings some seaweed, and Tuktu (a caribou) who brings a purple saxifrage, Qimmiq can only tell what is not a tree. Other animals include Tiriganiaq (an Arctic fox) and Ukaliq (an Arctic hare) but it's not until Avinngaq rests on a piece of driftwood that Qimmiq confirms she's found a tree.

From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack

So, the friends decorate the driftwood with the seaweed, the purple saxifrage, arctic willow, and berries, sing, "Santa Claus is coming to town" and are delighted to find presents under the tree the next morning.

From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack

For our very youngest children, Lemming's First Christmas would be a bright beginning to the holiday season. Of course, they'll start singing the song too and it could get tiresome for the next seven weeks but maybe you could break that up with a reading or two of Lemming's First Christmas and some discussions about Arctic animals and plants, about cultural traditions, and even the magic of the holiday season. Jamesie Fournier, a writer in Iqaluit, keeps the story positive and simple, which is perfect for an early picture book–it has thicker pages and a reinforced cover–while introducing them to the Arctic and its plant and animal species, and teaching them a few words of Inuktitut. (A double-spread at the back posts the Inuktitut names and their pronunciations along with illustrations of the animals depicted.) It's very sweet and all the more so for Tim Mack's illustrations. I've reviewed several books which Tim Mack has illustrated (It's Time For Bed and What's My Superpower?) and his cartoon style of digital art will resonate with very young readers. His characters are cute and recognizable, and even if unfamiliar with an Arctic environment, children will recognize the play of shadows at night, the magic of snow and stars, and the quest for answers from those we know.

From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack

Get into the holiday season in a gentle way with Lemming's First Christmas. It's an easy introduction for those who may become overwhelmed with the customs of the holiday and let them see it from the perspective of a group of animals who interpret a tradition in their own way and make it a very sweet first Arctic Christmas.

 

 

It's Time for Bed

Written by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki

Illustrated by Tim Mack

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-227-7

28 pp.

Ages 3-5

September 2018

You know the mayhem of getting little ones to sleep? Try managing it when your little one wants to play with all the animals of her Arctic landscape.

Little Siasi is told and asked repeatedly,

It's time for bed. The sun has set.
Siasi, have you ... ?

And she is asked about brushing her teeth, putting on her PJs, putting away her toys, picking a good night story, climbing into bed and closing her eyes. But Siasi's responses are always the same. She doesn't want to. Instead she wants to dance with the polar bear, or run with the caribou, fly with the geese, howl with the wolves, hop with the rabbits, and swim with the fish. But when she says she's done it all, she's definitely ready for bed.

From It's Time for Bed by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki, illus. by Tim Mack

It's Time for Bed is based on parents Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki's own Siasi who would make excuse after excuse to put off her bedtime. Her refusal will be familiar to all caregivers of very young children but it's her unique reasons that will make It's Time for Bed a favourite new bedtime story to read. Children will love her reasons and delight in making up new ones of their own to continue her story for themselves. Even better, It's Time for Bed opens the world of the Arctic to those who have never lived there and reinforces the experiences of those children who have and do.

From It's Time for Bed by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki, illus. by Tim Mack

Astutely, Tim Mack, who also illustrated Aviaq Johnson's What's My Superpower? (Inhabit Media, 2017), never makes Siasi's requests seem ridiculous or farfetched. All the animals with whom she wishes to play, even the fish beneath her bed, seem adapted to her bedroom. Moreover, Tim Mack has made Siasi determined, perhaps not to go to bed quite yet, but also boisterous and brash, wide-eyed and imaginative, and no one would want a child to be otherwise. And when she finally closes her eyes, angelic in her quiet, Tim Mack makes sure to include her Arctic animal friends in the shadows to watch over her.

From It's Time for Bed by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki, illus. by Tim Mack

Fortunately, for Siasi's guardians and all parents who might read the story, Siasi does eventually follow through on all her bedtime routines, as little children must learn to do, when they know It's Time for Bed.

What's My Superpower?

Written by Aviaq Johnston

Illustrated by Tim Mack

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-140-9

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

July 2017

Every child wants to fit in but also wants to excel at something.  Nalvana is no different. But while she enjoys playing outdoors and riding her bike in her "small town where winter is always longer than summer" (pg. 2), she thinks about having superpowers and wears a yellow blanket and snowmobiling goggles as her costume.

From What's My Superpower? 

by Aviaq Johnston 

illus. by Tim Mack

But, when she sees her friends doing extraordinary things, which she always commends them on, like running fast or flying through the air, sculpting with snow and stone or holding their breath underwater, Nalvana is perplexed by her own lack of superpower.  Over and over again, she tells her mother about her friends' amazing strengths and asks what hers might be.  Her mother, unruffled, encourages Nalvana to be patient, sure that her superpower will be revealed in time.

From What's My Superpower? 

by Aviaq Johnston 

illus. by Tim Mack

Just as might be expected, Nalvana's superpower was always evident.  It is as natural as breathing for her so she just needed to have it pointed out.  Fortunately, her mother can see the truly gifted child Nalvana is.

From What's My Superpower? 

by Aviaq Johnston 

illus. by Tim Mack

Ensuring that Nalvana's superpower is not one of the athletic or other overt skills that are normally so admired in our current society that revere celebrity and personality, Aviaq Johnston has made her story one of inclusivity, not exclusivity.  Everyone has a superpower if we look beyond winning awards and competitions.  Everyone has a strength or two that sets them above the rest.  And Nalvana's superpower truly makes her a superhero to others.

Aviaq Johnston's story about Nalvana is also about her milieu which is the basis for her experiences.  The little girl compares Davidee's speed to a Ski-Doo or to the wind on a blizzardy day, and expounds on Joanasie's snow sculpting and inuksuk building similar to his dad's skill as a carver.  Her Arctic home is as unique as the young girl in its offerings.  Tim Mack embeds Nalvana's story in that community, right down to her husky puppy.  And though the palette of turquoise blue-green, golds and salmon may appear more southwestern than northern, it's plays up the natural world in which Nalvana's journey of discovery takes place.

I may not tell you the answer to Nalvana's question of What's My Superpower? but suffice it to say it is something remarkable and terrific, and her mother, her friends and now readers will all know what it is.