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Children's Fiction Winter Sports

Kamik Takes the Lead

by (author) Darryl Baker

illustrated by Ali Hinch

Publisher
Inhabit Media
Initial publish date
Apr 2020
Category
Winter Sports, Dogs, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Polar Regions
Recommended Age
6 to 8
Recommended Grade
1 to 3
Recommended Reading age
6 to 8
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781772272666
    Publish Date
    Apr 2020
    List Price
    $13.95
  • Downloadable audio file

    ISBN
    9781772274004
    Publish Date
    Nov 2021
    List Price
    $6.99

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Description

Jake and Kamik are finally ready to run their first dog sled race with a full team! But there is a lot to do to prepare, and Jake must follow his uncle’s lead if he and his dogs are going to be ready for the early spring race.

Kamik Takes the Lead is the fourth installment in the Kamik series of books following Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story, Kamik’s First Sled, and Kamik Joins the Pack. Books in this series share traditional dog-rearing practices and dog-training techniques from the remote community of Arviat, Nunavut, through the life memories of community members. These books preserve the rich history of working dogs in Nunavut and celebrate the traditional bond between Inuit and their sled dogs.

Building on the dog-training practices outlined in Kamik Joins the Pack, Arviat, Nunavut, author and dog musher Darryl Baker shares with young readers the basic information needed to prepare a dog team for a race.

About the authors

Darryl Baker est enseignant à Arviat au Nunavut. Né à Churchill au Manitoba, il a grandi à Arviat. En 2006, Darryl a obtenu son diplôme du programme de formation des enseignants du Nunavut avec d’autres Inuits de sa localité et il enseigne depuis à l’école primaire Levi Angmak. En plus de sa carrière d’enseignant, Darryl qui se passionne pour le traineau à chiens participe assidument à la Hudson Bay Quest et à d’autres courses de traineaux à chiens entre Rankin et Arviat. Jeune homme, il a commencé à élever des chiens, son intérêt lui venant de son beau frère, Bernie Sulurayok, aujourd’hui décédé. Lorsqu’il était enfant, Darryl allait souvent chasser le phoque à la limite de la banquise avec son beau-frère. Il décida finalement d’élever ses propres chiens, passant du temps de qualité avec eux, créant des liens et gagnant leur respect. Aujourd’hui, il fait encore assidument du traineau et espère transmettre sa passion à ses fils jumeaux.

Darryl Baker's profile page

Ali Hinch has worked as a full-time illustrator in educational children’s literature since getting her degree in illustration from Sheridan College. She’s had the opportunity to work on a variety of unique projects outside of book illustration ranging from designing puppet concepts and assisting on set building to working with musicians and artists to design CDs and promotions. Currently living in Toronto, she spends a lot of time drinking iced coffee and making new dog friends.

Ali Hinch's profile page

Editorial Reviews

"The story is both educational and fun, and I love the peek into the Arviat community in Nunavut through these memories of the author. A perfect Own Voices text for animal-lovers looking to diversify the animals they learn about! I also love that this book talks a lot about perseverance and working towards a goal that seems like a long way off."—The Tiny Activists

 

"This book does a really good job in showing the traditional knowledge that has been passed through families and generations in Nunavut as well as the special relationship between Inuit people and their sled dogs. There are many more subtle lessons in this book as well, like respect, patience, the value of hard work and responsibility...Kamik Takes the Lead would be an excellent addition to any school, community or personal library, particularly in Canada, for children to learn about Inuit culture. Highly Recommended"—CM Magzine

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