Whale Snow: a celebration of community
“Edwardson presents culture and custom through a child’s eyes with this handsome tale about the whaling traditions of Alaska’s Iñupiat Eskimos . . . relayed in lyrical prose.” “Teachers looking for picture books on Arctic people will find this a good real-aloud choice....” —Booklist “Filled with joy, this tale about a loving family and a caring community is something all youngsters can understand. .. An intriguing glimpse into another culture”. —School Library Journal |
Paglagivsi!
And welcome to my world. I live in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost community on the North American Continent, and I love sharing stories about life in the Arctic. Why do I write? I write to make sense of the world. I write to communicate, in the best way I can, my own unique vision. Everybody has a vision that is theirs alone. Mine has been molded by living, for nearly thirty years, with the Iñupiat, the real people of the Arctic, from whom I have learned much and am still learning. Theirs is a spirit as strong and beautiful as the Arctic itself and, as a writer, I seek always to share this spirit with my readers. I've worked as a radio reporter, a newspaper writer, a public relations specialist and a school board member, but my favorite job is writing the stories that speak to my heart, stories for my children and grandchildren, my friends, my family, and my own endless fancy. --from Whale Snow . . . " Aapa," Amiqqaq whispered, "I know where the spirit-of-the-whale is." Amiqqaq's aapa leaned down close to Amiqqaq. "Tell me, Amiqqaq, where is the spirit-of-the-whale?" "The spirit-of-the-whale is in the fat snow and strong wind, Aapa," Amiqqaq said. "The spirit-of-the-whale is right here in my house, making people smile and laugh. Together." Look at the Awards Whale Snow has Earned! One of 25 books named to the 2004 Notable Books for a Global Society list by the International Reading Association Named Best Picture Book of 2004 by the Independent Publishers Association Named to the 2004 list of Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People by the National Council of the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council |
The author, age 9. |
Paglagivsi!
