The Gift of the Inuksuk

Tales of the World

by Mike Ulmer, Melanie Rose (Illustrator)

Unique and as beautiful as a snowflake or footprint, an Inuksut (inNUKshuk,) is one of the stone figures that can be seen dotting the Canadian Arctic region. Many made by ancient hands, the Inuksuit (inNUKsweet) purposes are varied, from earthly uses such as navigation and message centers to those of the spirit, as sites of reverence. Author Mike Ulmer explores the connectedness of all Arctic life in his tale, The Gift of the Inuksuk.To find recipes, games, interactives maps and much more for this title visit www.discovertheworldbooks.com! Author Mike Ulmer keeps an Inuksuk at home--it reminds him of the way the Inuit People of the North live a simple life and consume only what they need. His tale expresses this belief in a warm and simple manner that readers of all ages will appreciate and enjoy. Artist Melanie Rose's charming and lively oil paintings bring great variety and surprising bursts of color to this unique northern story.Mike lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with his wife Agnes Bongers and their three Sadie, Hannah and Madalyn. When he is not learning about Inuksuk, Mike writes a sports column for the Toronto Sun newspaper. Among Mike's books are M is for A Canadian Alphabet and H is For An Equestrian Alphabet. Melanie Rose lives in Mississauga, Canada with her son Liam, and their two cats, Mickey and Meesha. Melanie teamed up with Mike previously on M is for A Canadian Alphabet. She has also illustrated Z is for A Hockey Alphabet and K is for A Soccer Alphabet. She is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2004

About the author

Mike Ulmer is an author and owner of Catapult Bookwriting. He authored 19 books including M is for Maple, the best selling alphabet book in Canadian publishing history.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. This is not an Inuit tale, but rather an original pourqoui story about the origins of the inuksuit. The tale itself is nice, and the art is lovely, and I appreciate that the author makes a note in the preface that he chose this route because Inuit legends belong to the Inuit people to tell. I wonder how Inuit people would feel about this made up origin for something that is an important part of their culture. I do like the message that he takes from the inuksuit, though: leaving messages along the way to let other people know they are not alone.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't help but be bothered by the appropriation. Ulmer admits that the real stories belong to the Inuit and other Native people themselves... but then why didn't he get their ok before publishing this, or just not? It is a nice story, with pretty pictures, but "Own Voices" is important, and here it is ignored.

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very weird for an author to basically say "this is not my story to tell" in the preface and then....tell the story anyway.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book in the series about the Inuit people & their way of life. It tells the history & meaning of the Inuksuk & how a young girl helps her family by building them.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated little story.

[Cah-Ling Labrecque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inuksuk

A beautiful introduction to a world unknown to the rest of humanity.
Welcome to the Inuit world in the great Arctic.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A calm, polite little story about young Ukaliq and her fixation of creating Inuksuit throughout the pre-Nunavit territory of Canada, and how the stone figures eventually come to bring her father and brother home safely from a deer-hunting expedition. Beautifully painted, considerately written, and thoughtfully put together to create perfect bedtime reading for youngsters.

They will have no trouble falling asleep when this story is being read to them. The perfect such book.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not an Inuit legend, a wonderful introduction or exploration of life in the Arctic and the meaning and symbolism of an Inuksuk as the stone figures created by a little girl named Ukaliq assist her family to come home in a storm..

Expressive illustrations and details of skills learned by the Inuit people open the door to what their lives might be like.

The intended message of an Inuksuk can vary as described by the author but the ultimate message is that we are not alone.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inuksuts are figures made of stone that can be seen dotting the Canadian Arctic region. These stony people have a variety meaning such as directions, & markings for spiritual & historical locations. This is a thought provoking, beautifully illustrated tale of a life style so drastically different from my own.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ukaliq finds an inventive way to help her people find the way back home.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl wants to help her father find is way home so she builds stone figures.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about the early and traditional use of inuksuk, and the importance of them. A young Inuit girl built inuksuit to help hunters find their way. Lovely illustrations.