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The Hungry Giant of the Tundra

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Publisher: Dutton Children's Book, 1993
ISBN # 0-525-45126-9

Author and Illustrator Retold by Teri Sloat who has lived and taught in the remove villages of Nunapitchuk, Kotlik, Kalskag, Oscarville, and Bethel. Based on a Yup'ik tale told by Olinka Michael, a master storyteller in the village of KwethlukIllustrated by Robert and Teri Sloat are married and both have taught for many years in the remote villages of Alaska.

Grade Level: Primary K-3Theme: Quliraq / Traditional Yup'ik Legend
Status: Recommended

Review

The tale retold in this book is a quliraq /traditional Yup'ik legend that is widely known throughout the Yup'ik region. It is about a giant named A ka gua gan kak (the correct Yup'ik written form is Akaguagaankaaq) who ventures out at night looking for children who are wandering about. The illustrations in the story accurately depict the landscape where the oral tale was shared and that is the community of Kwethluk. Although the clothing that the children of the community are wearing do not reflect the modern wooden homes that are shown in the background. Instead of all wearing a "qaspeq" the children should have been dressed in T-shirts, windbreaks, etc. The story flows very well and is a story that is known throughout the Yup'ik region with many different versions. Elder Annie Blue of Togiak has heard the story but a different version. In her version the youngest child of the group is the one who is able to help them escape by untying the pant legs and calling for the crane. She then continues by yelling at the giant and encourages him to drink from the river and has the crane stretch his legs. As the giant is attempting to cross the crane legs begin to shake and the giant falls off and bursts as he hits the bottom of the river. Annie emphasizes that there are many versions of this story and these should be investigated at the site where the story is being used.

Season: Fall

Suggested Teaching Topics
  • Behavior -Teaches children the importance of listening to parents-Taught us how to be problem solvers; indirectly how to behave-Everyone makes mistakes but we can correct our mistakes by listening to stories
Significance:
  • The small bird signifies that help can come in many forms (sizes).
  • That birds are helpful from the small songbird to the crane
  • That everyone can find a way out-of a tough situation by problem solving
  • That children are well-taken care of
  • Be aware of what others are saying even if they appear to be small and insignificant (even the smallest member of the group can contribute to the solving of problems).


A list of reviewers may be found at:
http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/IKS/HAIL/Nallunairvik.html

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