Children's Fiction Native American
Takannaaluk
- Publisher
- Inhabit Media
- Initial publish date
- Nov 2018
- Category
- Native American, Native Canadian, Girls & Women
- Recommended Age
- 6 to 8
- Recommended Grade
- 1 to 3
- Recommended Reading age
- 6 to 8
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781772271812
- Publish Date
- Nov 2018
- List Price
- $16.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
"Takannaaluk"" means "the one down there"—a term used in the High Arctic to refer to the mother of sea mammals, the most important being in Inuit mythology. This unique picture book tells how she came to be both feared and respected. As a young woman, Takannaaluk is tricked into marrying a sea bird posing as a man and then betrayed by her family. Her story is brought to vivid life by respected elder Herve Paniaq and renowned artist Germaine Arnattaujuq (Arnaktauyok).
About the authors
Herve Paniaq is an elder who was born around the Iglulik (Igloolik), Nunavut, area. His adopted children are Melanie, Itani, Cindy, Moses, Agnes, and Catherine. He likes to record traditional stories and legends, and he likes to tell stories. When his sisters were young, Herve would grab a comic book and tell stories about what he thought the pictures were saying. His siblings who were able to read in English would come around to listen to him, and he would tell them to go away as they knew how to read in English. They enjoyed his versions better as they were more interesting. He is the author of Animals Illustrated: Walrus and Takannaaluk.
Germaine Arnattaujuq is an award-winning Inuit artist and illustrator, best known for her prints and etchings depicting Inuit myths and traditional ways of life. In 1999, she designed the special edition two-dollar coin commemorating the founding of the territory of Nunavut. She is the co-author, with Gyu Oh, of My Name Is Arnaktauyok: The Life and Art of Germaine Arnaktauyok, and she has illustrated numerous books. Germaine is the recipient of the 2021 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. She lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
Awards
- Unknown, American Folklore Society's Aesop Accolade
Editorial Reviews
"Germaine Arnaktauyok's images...are gorgeous, rich in colour and shape, culturally relevant and wholly appropriate for a story from the Arctic, making Takannaaluk bewitching as well as edifying."—CanLit for Little Canadians