I Is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration
Grade 1–5—This book doubles as an acrostic poem and a rich exploration of Arctic life. The introduction explains that Arctic people have built Inuksuit, stone towers, as guides for thousands of years. They can mark directions, or food caches. They aid hunting, or mark memorials. Each letter of the word "Inuksuk" is given two pages. The first spread shows a boldly colored and textured painting and explains the term. Then each letter is associated with an aspect of Arctic life, e.g., "N is for Nanuq." The word appears in English and in Inuktitut syllabics. The following page gives more information. "N is for Nanuq, the powerful polar bear of the North." A few smaller paintings illustrate sentences about the subject. The back matter includes a reference to the Inuksuit in the book and a pronunciation guide to Inuktitut words. This book succeeds wonderfully as a simple alphabet book and as an exceptional exploration of Arctic life and culture. Older readers who want to learn more about Inuksuit and Inuit culture will appreciate Mary Wallace'sThe Inuksuk Book(OwlKids, 1999).—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AKCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.