Kumak's Fish: A Tall Tale from the Far North
PreSchool-Grade 3–Declaring that it's a "Good day for fish," a man and his family set off for a day of ice fishing, with Kumak carrying Uncle Aglu's "amazing hooking stick." While others begin catching fish, Kumak's line remains quiet. Suddenly there's a twitch on it and he begins to pull. His strength alone is not enough to bring the great fish through the hole in the ice and he must ask his wife for assistance, and then the remainder of his family. Still, their combined might is not enough to catch the mighty fish and fellow villagers join in the struggle. While the maxim traditionally says, "It takes a village to raise a child," in this case, it takes a village to catch a fish. Joyful watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations capture the icy although not colorless landscape and most particularly the expressive faces of the Iñupiat villagers. Even the animals wear expressions filled with humor and playfulness. This delightful blend of art and text brings the rich traditions and culture of the peoples of the Far North to life. A wonderful supplement to units on Alaska and the Arctic, this title surpasses mere curriculum support and stands alone as gifted storytelling.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.