Author and Illustrator

Written by Margaret Nicolai who is non-Native and married to a Yup'ik man and currently lives in Anchorage with husband and three children.Illustrated by David Rubin who is also non-Native but has lived in Alaska since 1983. Alaska Northwest Books, 1998

Grade Level: Primary K-3 and 4^th - 5^th Grade

Theme: Picture Story Book & Personal experience

Status: Recommended

Review

This book is based on the authors own personal family experience and is delightful to read. The book is reflective of the traditional protocol (e.g. asking too many questions) that may or may not occur with cross-cultural marriages. Both cultural values are embedded in the story. With the lighting of the oil lamp it would indicate that this story takes place in the 1950's. If you look at homes at that time the people within the small communities throughout Alaska had yet to be introduced to the rug mat as shown in the story, but other than that the illustrations reflect a positive home life of a Yup'ik family. The story is a wonderful story and reflects the unique relationship that would occur between the grandfather and grandson, but far too many direct questions occur within the story that would not be reflective of the Yup'ik culture. Also, the young lads name is not reflective of a genuine Yup'ik name. The book teaches the importance of patience, endurance, limits, sharing and being recognized as a contributing member of the household.

Season: Winter

Suggested Teaching Topics

• Relationship between grandfather and grandchild
• Grandfather as child's first teachers
• Childs's first catch
• Importance of male child
• Importance and emphasize the child's role of participating in an adult chore ROLE VS CATCH

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