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Des battes de baseball pour Noël
Never having seen trees, the children in Repulse Bay decide that the funny things sent them one year must actually be baseball bats.
An autobiographical tale from Michael Kusugak's childhood tells a story of life in the arctic, and easily different cultures can interpret things differently.
An autobiographical tale from Michael Kusugak's childhood tells a story of life in the arctic, and easily different cultures can interpret things differently.
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
1 person is currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
14 books9 followersMichael Arvaarluk Kusugak is a storyteller and a Canadian children's writer, who tells stories about Arctic and Inuit culture. He was born April 27, 1948 just north of Chesterfield Inlet, at a point of land we call Qatiktalik. That same spring of 1948 he and his family moved to Repulse Bay and in 1960 to Rankin Inlet
Inuktitut: ᐊᕐᕚᕐᓗᒃ ᑯᓱᒐᖅ
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 14, 2024
In Baseball Bats For Christmas, Canadian/Inuit author Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak relates an autobiographical episode from his own childhood, how in 1955, when the small Inuit community of Recluse Bay receives Christmas trees as a holiday donation from Southern Canada, no one really has any idea of what to do with them (there of course being no trees in that area of the Arctic, and thus also by extension no tradition of putting up and decorating a tree for Christmas). And what the Recluse Bay children finally decide to do with the trees is truly both innovative and amusing, and should perhaps even be seriously considered as a possible idea, as a possible suggestion for recycling and reusing post holiday season Christmas trees (and while I have actually tried to not give away any real spoilers, the title of the book itself, as well as the book cover art kind of are spoilers already, it seems).
Now Baseball Bats for Christmas is (in my opinion) most definitely and primarily meant for older children above the ages of seven or so, as there is quite a lot of wordy textual information featured (and in a rather densely conceptualised manner at that). And sadly and a bit annoyingly, the author's writing, although most definitely much enlightening and informative, unfortunately also does not really manage to emotionally involve the reader in the story in any way as much as I originally and fondly had expected (and hoped). The anecdote and information featured and presented in Baseball Bats for Christmas are interesting enough, but while I do indeed appreciate learning about Inuit culture and how Christmas tends to be celebrated in the Arctic, I never actually feel all that personally close to any of the characters, more like a dispassionate observer looking in at best.
Also, and for me, very much iresome, I find that the script (or rather the type of font) used in Baseball Bats for Christmas is both much too narrow and too squashed, too crowded for easy perusal, which could also make the entire reading experience of Baseball Bats for Christmas a bit potentially difficult. I have had to really concentrate on the text (and sometimes to repeatedly squint even whilst wearing my reading glasses) and I could just imagine that this might prove annoying or strenuous for a child who has just learned to read, or is perhaps a reluctant or unsure reader (not to mention that this could also be a potential issue for a parent, librarian or teacher reading Baseball Bats for Christmas aloud). And while I do think that Vladyana Krykorka's accompanying illustrations are sweet, expressive, and in many ways simply and wonderfully gorgeous (totally and glowingly capturing the magic of an Arctic winter with both colour and light), the fact that on some of the pages, her larger pictures are actually often almost directly superimposed right on top of the script, right on top of Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak's presented narrative, further impedes (or at least might hamper) the latter's legibility.
However, and the above issues and points of critique having all been said, I still do very much think that Baseball Bats for Christmas could be (and would be) of much value and use in an educational, a classroom setting, not only for discussing Inuit culture, but also for presenting and discussing different types of Christmas traditions (both in Canada and the world, both nationally and internationally). For even with my personal qualms regarding narrative and writing style and especially the size and shape of the script, Baseball Bats for Christmas is still a wonderfully informative seasonal picture book that I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in learning or maybe teaching about the Canadian Arctic and the Inuit (and with all its densely packed informativeness and enlightenment, Baseball Bats for Christmas is also simply an entertaining and fun holiday story, a personal and treasured childhood memory from Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak's pen)
Now Baseball Bats for Christmas is (in my opinion) most definitely and primarily meant for older children above the ages of seven or so, as there is quite a lot of wordy textual information featured (and in a rather densely conceptualised manner at that). And sadly and a bit annoyingly, the author's writing, although most definitely much enlightening and informative, unfortunately also does not really manage to emotionally involve the reader in the story in any way as much as I originally and fondly had expected (and hoped). The anecdote and information featured and presented in Baseball Bats for Christmas are interesting enough, but while I do indeed appreciate learning about Inuit culture and how Christmas tends to be celebrated in the Arctic, I never actually feel all that personally close to any of the characters, more like a dispassionate observer looking in at best.
Also, and for me, very much iresome, I find that the script (or rather the type of font) used in Baseball Bats for Christmas is both much too narrow and too squashed, too crowded for easy perusal, which could also make the entire reading experience of Baseball Bats for Christmas a bit potentially difficult. I have had to really concentrate on the text (and sometimes to repeatedly squint even whilst wearing my reading glasses) and I could just imagine that this might prove annoying or strenuous for a child who has just learned to read, or is perhaps a reluctant or unsure reader (not to mention that this could also be a potential issue for a parent, librarian or teacher reading Baseball Bats for Christmas aloud). And while I do think that Vladyana Krykorka's accompanying illustrations are sweet, expressive, and in many ways simply and wonderfully gorgeous (totally and glowingly capturing the magic of an Arctic winter with both colour and light), the fact that on some of the pages, her larger pictures are actually often almost directly superimposed right on top of the script, right on top of Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak's presented narrative, further impedes (or at least might hamper) the latter's legibility.
However, and the above issues and points of critique having all been said, I still do very much think that Baseball Bats for Christmas could be (and would be) of much value and use in an educational, a classroom setting, not only for discussing Inuit culture, but also for presenting and discussing different types of Christmas traditions (both in Canada and the world, both nationally and internationally). For even with my personal qualms regarding narrative and writing style and especially the size and shape of the script, Baseball Bats for Christmas is still a wonderfully informative seasonal picture book that I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in learning or maybe teaching about the Canadian Arctic and the Inuit (and with all its densely packed informativeness and enlightenment, Baseball Bats for Christmas is also simply an entertaining and fun holiday story, a personal and treasured childhood memory from Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak's pen)
July 23, 2017
Baseball Bats for Christmas is being reissued by Annick Press in September of this year. I had never read this children's story before but I am glad I now have done so. This is a beautiful book that I will be adding to my Christmas library. The illustrations are gorgeous and could easily be framed and hung by themselves.
This story is set in Canada's far north in the community of Repulse Bay, which is situated on the Arctic Circle in 1955. There are no trees yet the children frantically look for sticks to use as baseball bats to play one of their favourite past times, just like children play everywhere. When Rocky, the pilot brings in six Christmas Trees, the children do not know what they are. They decide after Christmas that they could be whittled down to make baseball bats. A fun story, however there is so much more to it than that. Learning about the Inuit Christmas customs was very interesting. What they do about gifts and their Spiritual celebrations was eye opening. The story is recommended for ages 4 to 8, but I would use it with older children as well. This would make a wonderful resource teaching about the Inuit culture, Christmas traditions and multiculturalism. A great addition to school, classroom and family libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
This story is set in Canada's far north in the community of Repulse Bay, which is situated on the Arctic Circle in 1955. There are no trees yet the children frantically look for sticks to use as baseball bats to play one of their favourite past times, just like children play everywhere. When Rocky, the pilot brings in six Christmas Trees, the children do not know what they are. They decide after Christmas that they could be whittled down to make baseball bats. A fun story, however there is so much more to it than that. Learning about the Inuit Christmas customs was very interesting. What they do about gifts and their Spiritual celebrations was eye opening. The story is recommended for ages 4 to 8, but I would use it with older children as well. This would make a wonderful resource teaching about the Inuit culture, Christmas traditions and multiculturalism. A great addition to school, classroom and family libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
December 20, 2017
I have a feeling I must have read this as a kid; seems to be a rerelease of a book from the '90s. Definitely has that nostalgic feel either way. There's a strong storytelling tone to it, and it's more storybook length than picture book. I'd recommend for early readers, elementary schoolers, or as a read-aloud to toddlers. Lovely, painterly art supports the story of a remote Canadian-Inuit community sometime last century. Fits in with other historical fiction efforts that convey a sense of a simpler time, making your own fun, community and family. The snowy landscape and Christmas references could make it a good holiday gift for children, and I could see it being a teaching tool as well for discussions of Canada's past, the experience of remote communities and First Nations.
June 22, 2010
I love that I read this book on the Summer Solstice, haha! But, the timing was actually really perfect as I recently returned from a trip to Alaska where I enjoyed learning about the native tribes. Although this book features an Inuit tribe of Canada there are many similarities Alaska's Inupiat and Yup'ik peoples.
I read this book thanks to my GoodReads friend Gundula (I'm so grateful!) who said in her excellent review, "'Baseball Bats for Christmas' is definitely meant for older children, as there is quite a lot of text and information covered. The writing style itself, although very informative, did not really manage to emotionally involve me in the story as much as I would have liked. The anecdotes were interesting, but while I enjoyed learning about Innuit culture and how Christmas is celebrated in the Arctic, I never felt all that personally close to any of the characters, and more like a dispassionate observer." I couldn't agree more! I really wanted to feel more connected to the story and characters, and while I found the story interesting in terms of a cultural experience, I found myself wanting more from the storytelling.
I did love the illustrations, however. They are really charming and fun and beautiful and evoke not only the chill of the frozen north but the warmth of its people.
SPPOILER: I wanted to know MORE--It seemed that the native families enjoyed their Christmas mass and appreciate the priest's presence in their village, but then their own tradition of Christmas gift-giving is something different from European/American tradition and when they used the fir trees to make baseball bats I wondered how this was supposed to reflect on their "Christianity" since they obviously did not use the trees for the usual Christian purpose. I just wondered if they embraced Christianity as a true spirituality in their life, or if it was more of a cultural presence in the village given that the church had electricity, etc. and the priest was also a nurse when people in the village were ill. I expected an author's note, but there wasn't one.
Though I was left wanting more, this is still a very worthwhile read and I am really happy to have this book in my collection.
I read this book thanks to my GoodReads friend Gundula (I'm so grateful!) who said in her excellent review, "'Baseball Bats for Christmas' is definitely meant for older children, as there is quite a lot of text and information covered. The writing style itself, although very informative, did not really manage to emotionally involve me in the story as much as I would have liked. The anecdotes were interesting, but while I enjoyed learning about Innuit culture and how Christmas is celebrated in the Arctic, I never felt all that personally close to any of the characters, and more like a dispassionate observer." I couldn't agree more! I really wanted to feel more connected to the story and characters, and while I found the story interesting in terms of a cultural experience, I found myself wanting more from the storytelling.
I did love the illustrations, however. They are really charming and fun and beautiful and evoke not only the chill of the frozen north but the warmth of its people.
SPPOILER: I wanted to know MORE--It seemed that the native families enjoyed their Christmas mass and appreciate the priest's presence in their village, but then their own tradition of Christmas gift-giving is something different from European/American tradition and when they used the fir trees to make baseball bats I wondered how this was supposed to reflect on their "Christianity" since they obviously did not use the trees for the usual Christian purpose. I just wondered if they embraced Christianity as a true spirituality in their life, or if it was more of a cultural presence in the village given that the church had electricity, etc. and the priest was also a nurse when people in the village were ill. I expected an author's note, but there wasn't one.
Though I was left wanting more, this is still a very worthwhile read and I am really happy to have this book in my collection.
July 21, 2017
Did you ever read Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales?
This is like that, but not. This is a nostalgic look, as Dylan's was, of Christmas gone by. But instead of fires in the living room, and batty old aunts, this has baseball bats made from "Stand ups" or Christmas trees, because, what else would you use perfectly good wood for. It is the story of a land in what used to be the NWT and is now Nunavut, before white people did anything else then fly in, drop off goods, and fly out again. And it is about giving gifts for Christmas, which are your most prized possession, such as the wild dog that was given to Arvaarluk's father, and how Arvaarluk gives his toy gun, and gets a pair of mittens.
It is a story of time gone by, with no judgment or anything, other than the story itself. This author also wrote, with Robert Munsch, A Promise is a promise , which is a delightful story of Inuit peoples set in modern times, but with mythical creatures.
The text is a bit long for a traditional picture book, but when you read it, it is a bit like the Dylan story, a story that can be read, and the pictures looked at, and I think the whole thing works.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This is like that, but not. This is a nostalgic look, as Dylan's was, of Christmas gone by. But instead of fires in the living room, and batty old aunts, this has baseball bats made from "Stand ups" or Christmas trees, because, what else would you use perfectly good wood for. It is the story of a land in what used to be the NWT and is now Nunavut, before white people did anything else then fly in, drop off goods, and fly out again. And it is about giving gifts for Christmas, which are your most prized possession, such as the wild dog that was given to Arvaarluk's father, and how Arvaarluk gives his toy gun, and gets a pair of mittens.
It is a story of time gone by, with no judgment or anything, other than the story itself. This author also wrote, with Robert Munsch, A Promise is a promise , which is a delightful story of Inuit peoples set in modern times, but with mythical creatures.
The text is a bit long for a traditional picture book, but when you read it, it is a bit like the Dylan story, a story that can be read, and the pictures looked at, and I think the whole thing works.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
This book has apparently been in print for 30 years now. As a Christmas story, it seems a bit weak and perhaps sanitized (the people of Repulse Bay fawning over their priest is uncomfortable, given our current knowledge of the damage done by the Church with their residential schools). But it does offer a glimpse into life in the 1950s for Inuit children.
Arvaarluk and his friends eagerly await Christmas, where they celebrate by giving each other their favourite possessions. Arvaarluk is given a rubber ball, and the children all play a makeshift sort of baseball... at least, when they can find a stick for a bat. But trees don't grow in the Arctic! One year, six trees are delivered to Repulse Bay, and the kids decide that their intended purpose is baseball bats.
The appealing illustrations are colourful, shattering the notion that the Arctic is painted only in shades of white. The book is a little heavy on the text, so younger readers might want to have someone read it with them (or to them).
Overall, this is a charming book that offers a glimpse into Inuit life in 1955.
Arvaarluk and his friends eagerly await Christmas, where they celebrate by giving each other their favourite possessions. Arvaarluk is given a rubber ball, and the children all play a makeshift sort of baseball... at least, when they can find a stick for a bat. But trees don't grow in the Arctic! One year, six trees are delivered to Repulse Bay, and the kids decide that their intended purpose is baseball bats.
The appealing illustrations are colourful, shattering the notion that the Arctic is painted only in shades of white. The book is a little heavy on the text, so younger readers might want to have someone read it with them (or to them).
Overall, this is a charming book that offers a glimpse into Inuit life in 1955.
September 17, 2017
'Baseball Bats for Christmas' by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak with illustrations by Vladyana Krykorka is a beautifully illustrated and told picture book about a remote group of people in Repulse Bay in the North West Territories, now known as Nunavut.
The book takes place in 1955 in a remote and barren place that doesn't even have trees, or what the kids call "standing-ups" because they've never seen a tree. The kids like to play baseball when they can find a stick, but with no trees around, it's tough to get a game going. When a local pilot delivers six trees right before Christmas, the kids don't see trees. They see their baseball dreams coming true.
The story is a bit on the wordy side for young readers, but it's a really nice story. The illustrations are soft and beautiful. I really liked this story of a group of kids in a remote place who like to play baseball.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Annick Press Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The book takes place in 1955 in a remote and barren place that doesn't even have trees, or what the kids call "standing-ups" because they've never seen a tree. The kids like to play baseball when they can find a stick, but with no trees around, it's tough to get a game going. When a local pilot delivers six trees right before Christmas, the kids don't see trees. They see their baseball dreams coming true.
The story is a bit on the wordy side for young readers, but it's a really nice story. The illustrations are soft and beautiful. I really liked this story of a group of kids in a remote place who like to play baseball.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Annick Press Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
November 30, 2012
Baseball Bats for Christmas is unlike any Christmas story I have read before. It is set in Canada's far north in the community of Repulse Bay, which is situated on the Arctic Circle. Time, 1955.
Christmas in Repulse Bay is celebrate in church with family and friends. Gifts are not bought, they are given from the heart. Supplies that can't be found on the land or sea, are flown in by the Hudson's Bay Company. This year, the pilot brought six trees, which the children had never seen before. Trees don't grow this far north and they wondered what they were for. Read the story and follow the children as they find a use for the trees.
The story is suggested for ages 4-8. Each page has one to several paragraphs and is accompanied by colourful illustrations by artist Vladyana Krykorka.
This book would be a wonderful addition to your Christmas reading, even if you no longer have little ones in the house.
October 4, 2017
The setting of the story is Repulse Bay, "Repulse Bay is smack dab on the Arctic Circle - way up at the north end of Hudson Bay." The year is 1955 and a mere 100 people reside there. In the winter they inhabit igloos and sod huts and the only way to deliver needed goods is by plane.
A little asthmatic boy named Arvaaluk, just seven years old, narrates the story. He's a precious little guy who dearly loves Christmas. He delves into the habits and customs of his life living in the far north and focuses on one special event that made all the children in the area very, very happy.
He tells us that when you look around the landscape there are no "standing- ups" or as we know them, trees, because of the harsh weather they experience there trees will not grow.
One day the Union Jack flag is raised up high in front of the Hudson's Bay company store signally to everyone that a plane is about to arrive and deliver some goods to them.
Rocky Parson, the settlement's hero and pilot, drops off some green things with spindly branches sticking out all over them. He drops off six right in front of Arvarrluk's hut. Whatever could those strange things be?
"What are they?" Jack asked.
"Standing-ups," Peter said confidently. "I've seen them in books at the church. Father Didier showed them to us."
Now that the kids have identified them as trees what on earth are they going to do with them? They did not have much time to figure that out because Christmas festivities were about to begin. After a midnight church service and the exchanging of their most favourite thing in the world between best friends.... the lightbulb comes on bright and shiny! Cleverly the friends decide exactly how to put those six trees to good use. Their brilliant plan will include all the kids in the village so everyone can join in on the Christmas merriment. Wonder what they came up with to make that Christmas magic happen for this year and in the years to come?
The illustrations are just beautiful. Vibrant colours and expressions of the characters so enrich the text. I really love them especially the colour pallet chosen. I highly recommend this book.
A little asthmatic boy named Arvaaluk, just seven years old, narrates the story. He's a precious little guy who dearly loves Christmas. He delves into the habits and customs of his life living in the far north and focuses on one special event that made all the children in the area very, very happy.
He tells us that when you look around the landscape there are no "standing- ups" or as we know them, trees, because of the harsh weather they experience there trees will not grow.
One day the Union Jack flag is raised up high in front of the Hudson's Bay company store signally to everyone that a plane is about to arrive and deliver some goods to them.
Rocky Parson, the settlement's hero and pilot, drops off some green things with spindly branches sticking out all over them. He drops off six right in front of Arvarrluk's hut. Whatever could those strange things be?
"What are they?" Jack asked.
"Standing-ups," Peter said confidently. "I've seen them in books at the church. Father Didier showed them to us."
Now that the kids have identified them as trees what on earth are they going to do with them? They did not have much time to figure that out because Christmas festivities were about to begin. After a midnight church service and the exchanging of their most favourite thing in the world between best friends.... the lightbulb comes on bright and shiny! Cleverly the friends decide exactly how to put those six trees to good use. Their brilliant plan will include all the kids in the village so everyone can join in on the Christmas merriment. Wonder what they came up with to make that Christmas magic happen for this year and in the years to come?
The illustrations are just beautiful. Vibrant colours and expressions of the characters so enrich the text. I really love them especially the colour pallet chosen. I highly recommend this book.
September 21, 2017
Gorgeous! I found myself paging through this book repeatedly, just looking at the richly (yet simply) detailed pictures. I loved the textures and colors. I could feel the cold breezes and almost hear the children playing ball. I loved how the author described Christmas – a time when you take your most favorite possession in the world and give it to your very best friend.
The simple and charming true story is about a young boy growing up in the far reaches of northeast Canada, so far north that there were no trees growing and their only contact with the outside world was an airplane pilot who brought supplies to the Hudson Bay Store for them. One day, he brought “standing ups,” or trees, as we know them. But the children found another use for the trees – making ball bats.
The story and illustrations went together perfectly. Sometimes, the story carried more details than the picture, and sometimes the pictures carried more details. Both together create a gorgeous picture book showing the beautiful diversity of our world. This book left me feeling warm – in spite of it being set on the Arctic Circle. Although the story does not explicitly discuss the birth of Christ, I loved how the story incorporated that theme of giving your favorite possession to your best friend. There is lots of room here for discussions with children who read this story about what it means to give one’s favorites to one’s best and how God did that very same thing for us. While there is definitely a place for books that explicitly discuss spiritual themes, I also think that books that prompt thinking and pondering of meanings are just as necessary in life. This book is one of those, and I truly enjoyed reading it. Although my children are long past picture book age, I think I’ll add this one to our Christmas basket of books nonetheless because it was so gentle, so beautiful, and so meaningful.
I gratefully received an eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
The simple and charming true story is about a young boy growing up in the far reaches of northeast Canada, so far north that there were no trees growing and their only contact with the outside world was an airplane pilot who brought supplies to the Hudson Bay Store for them. One day, he brought “standing ups,” or trees, as we know them. But the children found another use for the trees – making ball bats.
The story and illustrations went together perfectly. Sometimes, the story carried more details than the picture, and sometimes the pictures carried more details. Both together create a gorgeous picture book showing the beautiful diversity of our world. This book left me feeling warm – in spite of it being set on the Arctic Circle. Although the story does not explicitly discuss the birth of Christ, I loved how the story incorporated that theme of giving your favorite possession to your best friend. There is lots of room here for discussions with children who read this story about what it means to give one’s favorites to one’s best and how God did that very same thing for us. While there is definitely a place for books that explicitly discuss spiritual themes, I also think that books that prompt thinking and pondering of meanings are just as necessary in life. This book is one of those, and I truly enjoyed reading it. Although my children are long past picture book age, I think I’ll add this one to our Christmas basket of books nonetheless because it was so gentle, so beautiful, and so meaningful.
I gratefully received an eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
September 26, 2017
3.5
Arvaarluk is growing up in Repulse Bay, which is near the Arctic Circle. It's 1955, and no trees grow there because of the cold.
At Christmas, the pilot who keeps the village stocked with goods, brings Christmas trees with the rest of his supplies. It's the first time Repulse Bay has had any trees.
Once Christmas is over, Arvaarluk's friend Yvo has a genius idea: turn the trees into baseball bats! The kids have already been playing ball, but it's hard to find sticks to use as bats. Now they've got a source that will last a while.
〰
I liked this book. I assume it's at least partly autobiographical, given the author's name and the fact that his bio says he grew up in Repulse Bay himself. This is the second children's book I've read that gives details about growing up Inuit, and they've piqued my interest enough that I'd like to read more.
〰
The main story is peppered with random anecdotes and observations about some of the cultural traditions; for example, at Christmas, each person gives his favorite belonging to his best friend, instead of exchanging newly-bought gifts. This particular example would be good for teaching kids how to be generous even when you don't have a lot of money or stuff.
〰
I LOVE the artwork in this book. The drawings are simple but beautiful, with amazing color and detail. I sat and looked at them a good long while.
〰
I'd recommend this book to kids who are 8+. I chose it to see if it'd be something my nephew would like (he's 7), but I think he needs a little more experience reading before trying this. It's a little wordy for a read-aloud, at least for a kid with a short attention span, but the pictures and content are pretty engaging.
〰
This is a reprint of a book published in 1990. I received this as a digital arc from netgalley.
Arvaarluk is growing up in Repulse Bay, which is near the Arctic Circle. It's 1955, and no trees grow there because of the cold.
At Christmas, the pilot who keeps the village stocked with goods, brings Christmas trees with the rest of his supplies. It's the first time Repulse Bay has had any trees.
Once Christmas is over, Arvaarluk's friend Yvo has a genius idea: turn the trees into baseball bats! The kids have already been playing ball, but it's hard to find sticks to use as bats. Now they've got a source that will last a while.
〰
I liked this book. I assume it's at least partly autobiographical, given the author's name and the fact that his bio says he grew up in Repulse Bay himself. This is the second children's book I've read that gives details about growing up Inuit, and they've piqued my interest enough that I'd like to read more.
〰
The main story is peppered with random anecdotes and observations about some of the cultural traditions; for example, at Christmas, each person gives his favorite belonging to his best friend, instead of exchanging newly-bought gifts. This particular example would be good for teaching kids how to be generous even when you don't have a lot of money or stuff.
〰
I LOVE the artwork in this book. The drawings are simple but beautiful, with amazing color and detail. I sat and looked at them a good long while.
〰
I'd recommend this book to kids who are 8+. I chose it to see if it'd be something my nephew would like (he's 7), but I think he needs a little more experience reading before trying this. It's a little wordy for a read-aloud, at least for a kid with a short attention span, but the pictures and content are pretty engaging.
〰
This is a reprint of a book published in 1990. I received this as a digital arc from netgalley.
October 15, 2017
I absolutely love getting children's books about different types of people, cultures, and traditions for my kids because I want them to learn about all the interesting things and people that can be found all over the world. When i saw this book available on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it to read to my little ones once winter started to come around. I still plan to read it to them but, for the sake of this review, I decided to go ahead and read it myself beforehand. Starting off, I have to say that the illustrations in the this book are absolutely beautiful and remind me of some of the books I used to read as a child. The pictures are so colorful and full of wonder. The book itself is very text heavy, unlike most children's books. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but I could see how it could cause younger kids to lose interest in the story. I honestly wasn't crazy about the story itself. It seemed a bit all over the place and jumped from one thing and one topic to the next. There just seemed to be a lot of different things that didn't cohesively flow together or keep my interest in a positive way.
October 14, 2017
The 2017 reissue of this popular children’s picture book gave me the chance to finally read this award-winning Inuit story, based on the author’s own lived experience. When the town of Repulse Bay receives a load of Christmas trees in 1955, the children are intrigued, but puzzled. Peter declares them to be “standing ups,” having seen them in pictures. But even Peter doesn't know what they are for. Not until someone gets a ball for Christmas does the purpose of these standing ups become clear to the children – they are ideal for making baseball bats! Kusugak draws from his own experience and the oral storytelling tradition he grew up with in creating this sweet story of life in the high Arctic more than 60 years ago now. The illustrations, by Vladyana Krykorka, add texture and depth to the story. The pages are filled with children and dogs joyously playing in a place where the days are short but twilight is long, resulting in glorious colour as skies of orange and green dominate the barren landscape. Best suited for classroom use and holiday laptime sharing, introducing children to life as it once existed in the high Arctic. My thanks to Annick Press for the advance reading copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
See my full review at https://mmbookshelf.wordpress.com/201...
See my full review at https://mmbookshelf.wordpress.com/201...
April 11, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I'm from Alaska, so I was already aware that far up north there aren't many - or in some places, any - trees, so the novelty of that was lost on me. For most readers in the US and Canada, though, I imagine it would be pretty eye-opening. Anyway, that aside, this is a great book for children about the wonder of learning about something new, being creative and adventurous, and so much more. The fact that it also introduces the reader to an indigenous culture is a bonus. I'll read it to my son when he's old enough to understand.
I'm from Alaska, so I was already aware that far up north there aren't many - or in some places, any - trees, so the novelty of that was lost on me. For most readers in the US and Canada, though, I imagine it would be pretty eye-opening. Anyway, that aside, this is a great book for children about the wonder of learning about something new, being creative and adventurous, and so much more. The fact that it also introduces the reader to an indigenous culture is a bonus. I'll read it to my son when he's old enough to understand.
September 13, 2017
A very insightful and well-done story on a small splice of life in Repulse Bay in the Arctic Circle during the 50s - a place where trees don't grow. There they celebrate Christmas, practice being cowboys, and learn how to make great use out of those Christmas trees getting delivered by playing baseball, a game known by many and a fact that makes this an easily relatable book. The illustrations are wonderfully done and help add to the great story!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2018
I think books set in Nunavut are awesome and I try to get them for my son since he is growing up in the territory. The story of Arvaarluk & his friends growing up in Repulse Bay in the 1950s was so interesting to read. The illustrations are beautiful and add so much to the story. I do think that something should be added to the book saying that Repulse Bay has recently changed their name to Naujaat so that people trying to look up the town would be able to find it.
July 31, 2017
This book takes place above the arctic circle. A land with no trees. I too have lived in such a place (Adak, Alaska). One year, the plane brings it’s Christmas supplies, which includes six trees. At least one of which is used to make a baseball bat. I lovely story with lovely illustrations to o along with it. It reminded me of a time when I too lived in a land with no trees.
March 30, 2019
It gives a good picture to what Inuit life was like in 1955, but the title has very little to do with the book. It's very misleading as the baseball bats part really doesn't come in until the last couple pages of the book.
December 30, 2020
I so appreciate true stories of other cultures to share with children. Yes, the text is heavy for a picture book so it lends itself to older than preschool children. However I feel the text did not flow well and was confusing. The illustrations help to move the story along but it's unfortunate that the text is lacking.
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April 30, 2021Based in 1955 in the Arctic, the author's own experience living in the Arctic tell about how to deal with a surprise gift from a plane.
The author and illustrator have worked with Robert Munsch on a different title.
The author and illustrator have worked with Robert Munsch on a different title.
December 7, 2025
It’s fun to read stories that make the kids really stretch to picture a different way of living and also helpful when we can comprehend the time period by comparing it to the grandparents’ ages at the time - Grandma and Grandpa would have been five at the time this story is set.
August 19, 2017
This engaging tale provides a rare glimpse into life for Inuit children, providing a much needed look at how holidays can be celebrated without such heavy reliance on capitalism!
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February 24, 2018This was a fun story young kids, especially those who enjoy baseball, will enjoy! The illustrations were wonderful! Christmas at the Arctic Circle looks like midnight! Beautiful!
January 6, 2023
The narrative voice was confusing in this one; it seemed to waffle between omniscient third-person and an unnamed first-person perspective.
December 14, 2017
Baseball Bats for Christmas is a cultural, holiday book about children in the Arctic Circle getting trees delivered to them around Christmas. This gorgeously illustrated book tells the reader about the life these children lead in this environment and how wonderful it was to get trees and then use them to make baseball bats to play.
I loved the cultural aspects of this book, it was interesting to learn about living in such an extreme climate and how they celebrate Christmas without the availability of shops nearby. The illustrations that accompanied the text were a perfect fit for the feel of the book, they are bright and show the location well as a mix of cool colors.
As a learning tool and as a holiday book, this was a wonderful one. It embraces the essence of giving and gifting things that are dear to you and was very informational about the culture as well.
I loved the cultural aspects of this book, it was interesting to learn about living in such an extreme climate and how they celebrate Christmas without the availability of shops nearby. The illustrations that accompanied the text were a perfect fit for the feel of the book, they are bright and show the location well as a mix of cool colors.
As a learning tool and as a holiday book, this was a wonderful one. It embraces the essence of giving and gifting things that are dear to you and was very informational about the culture as well.
Read
August 3, 2010I like this story of the Eskimo culture. It says it takes place in 1955, so they are telling a story of the past. It might be a good lesson on past, present, and future. It also has some geography in it.
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March 2, 2014awesome!!!
December 17, 2016
This was a sweet story with lovely illustrations. The text could have been more engaging, but overall I enjoyed it.
Want to Read
September 26, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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