"When Tanna went to play with friends,
she brought Fluffi in a small wooden box.
Tanna's friends took turns holding Fluffi.
They were much kinder than visiting
researchers who always looked at the
lemming and cried, "Ew!" Tanna just
couldn't understand grown-ups."
This new book about Tanna and her love for animals follows Tanna's Owl (Inhabit Media, 2020). Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley opens with a greeting.
"There were giant lives around us. Like whales and polar bears.
But there were also little lives. Like insects. Or plants. Even
sickness was thought to be alive, before we had ever heard of
germs. And there were unseen powers to balance the world. We
never believed that they needed to be seen. Or explained. As
long as their ways could school us.
Here is what Tanna learned from just a lemming.
(And Thunder.)"
All the children from Tanna's village are working hard in the Arctic summer. A researcher has promised money for each lemming they can catch. Tanna is up to the task, and very good at it. As she turns over the last stone of the day, she finds a lemming, with tiny, black beady eyes. It's soft and appealing. She will not give it up. She makes a promise that the lemming will be free.
Holding that tiny thing she thinks about the Laws of Thunder which teach respect for even tiny things. Her father has explained those laws to his children, telling them about a force that is part of the sky and cares about such things - like Thunder. Her father points out that all living things are important, even the tiniest ones. Treating them badly leads to problems in the future. That does it for Tanna. She names the lemming Fluffi and carries it home. Over the summer, Tanna cares for the lemming and learns it ways. She keeps it in a box, and allows friends to hold Fluffi.
During winter, Tanna fashions a leash for their walks. As they walk, she again learns from Fluffi about the ways lemmings live and thrive. When Fluffi causes a ruckus with very special sewing materials belonging to Tanna's mom, Tanna knows she must make a heartbreaking decision. Ultimately, it is the very best thing she can do for Fluffi. Once summer arrives, and while she is still missing the lemming dearly, Tanna spends time outside on the land. There she sees many lemmings, all living their best and most vibrant life.
Tanna pauses to think an important thought:
"Tanna had only wished to have the lemming.
She had never thought about the lemming's
wishes. Maybe lemmings wanted other lemmings
for family."
Tamara Campeau's illustrations are brightly colored and provide a clear visual for the Arctic setting. They also show expression, and thought as Tanna considers her various actions.
I want to mention while I have your attention to this book from Inhabit Media that they also publish Kaakuluk: Nunavut's Discovery Magazine for Kids. I recently received Issue #10 Walruses and Issue #11 Orcas. They are described as an exciting, fact-filled magazine about Nunavut for all curious kids, north and south. Each issue includes activities, traditional stories and articles about life in the Arctic. The series is printed in full color, with photographs and illustrations throughout that will be sure to capture the attention of young readers. The will do exactly that, and they are printed in two languages. Meant for older children ages 8 and up.
At the same time, I received two copies (6,7) of Ukaliq: Fun for Little Nunavummiut. Their main topics are Caribou! and Snowy Owls! They include captioned color photographs, a traditional story, followed by activities for more learning and fun. They are also printed in two languages. Meant for younger readers ages 4 to 7
I hope you can find copies to add to classroom collections of nonfiction.
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