Book Review by Marcia Abalama

Name of book: Whale Snow

Author: Debby Dahl Edwardson

Illustrator: Annie Patterson

Year Published: 2004 Publisher: Charlesbridge

ISBN #: 1-57091-393-5

Grade level: I would recommend the grade level for this book to be K-2^nd. I also recommend this book at any grade level.

Genre: Male

Realistic fiction [X] historical fiction [ ] fantasy [ ]

Cultural Perspective:

Stories: oral [ ] Teaching stories: [ ] Myth [ ] legend [ ]

Traditional stories: [X] Someone else's stories: [ ] Parable [ ]

Summary: Amiqqaq is a young Inupiaq boy who learns how important to his people the hunting of a bowhead whale. Amiqqaq's grandmother explains the fat snow means whale snow-that is when the whale gives itself to the People. This is the first whale feast of the season. Amiqqaq's father lets him go to prepare the whale; much has to be done before there is the celebration.

Author Background: Debby Edwardson grew up in Minnesota but has live for nearly 30 years in the Arctic. She has learned much from the warmhearted Inupiaq (Eskimo) people of the Arctic and she is still learning. She seeks through her work to share the Inupiaq spirit with young readers. Ms. Edwardson travels to schools.

Illustrator Background: Annie Patterson lives in the high Arctic region of Alaska. She came from Seattle after graduating from college. Whale Snow was her first book. Annie has taught drawing and painting for llisaguik College in Barrow.

Note: Both the author and illustrator can be reached through the Web sight: www.charlesbridge.com, or www.amazon.com

Illustration:

This book was very beautifully illustrated. The people were depicted as individuals-the book was very colorful.

Vocabulary: Whale Snow was written in English but copies in Inupiaq can be obtained through the Web sight www.charlesbridge.com

Inupiaq words and names are used in this book; in the front of the book is a "Words to Know" that helps with the spelling and how to pronounce the words used in the book. Also, in the front of the book is a little history about the Inupiaq language, it talks about how the children learned by listening to the stories told by the Elders.

Content: In the back of Whale Snow is a history on "The Bowhead and the Inupiat: A Partnership. It shares cultural traditions, about ceremonies; Inupiat believe" that whales choose to give themselves to worthy whaling crews that have emulated the spirit-of-the-whale by avoiding conflict and practicing generosity. This spirituality, passed down through generations, is the same tradition followed in Whale Snow (Edwardson, 04)". This history in the back of the book also talks about how the People use the bowhead whales in every part of their lives. This is a very interesting story and it is one that could be passed down to the next generation.

Other things to look for when Reviewing Alaska Native Children's books:

There isn't anything in this book that would embarrass or hurt a Native child. There is respect shown for the Elders, grandparents, father and mother and other community members in this book. There isn't any stereotypes or prejudges, it is a learning book. It talks about Inupiaq traditions, including how important spirituality is to their culture. After the hunt and the whale are taken care of there is the feast and the sharing. "The satisfying story underscores cultural differences by portraying Amiqqaq's growing awareness of the spiritual connection between the whale and his people…a good read-aloud choice…(Booklist)".

Over All Rating of this Book:

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