Those That Cause Fear

August 8, 2016
Christopher and Inuit artist Arnaktauyok, who previously collaborated on Way Back Then (2015), return to the subject of myth and legend as they introduce 20 monsters and other creatures from Inuit lore, including the reptilian palraijuq, giants friendly and fierce, and Nujliajuk, "mother of the sea animals." Left-hand pages feature Arnaktauyok's handsome, crisply outlined images of the creatures; on the facing pages, Christopher's cautionary notes treats readers as would-be explorers of the North who need to be wary: "If you are alone on the land in the winter, you need to watch out for a creature called Mahahaa," a giggling menace that Arnaktauyok pictures with wild hair like Shockheaded Peter and long, snaking fingernails. The sometimes-frightening creatures should easily hit the spot for kids who like scary stories, and Christopher invites them to learn more about Inuit culture and the creation of these vibrant legends: "You will not find a travel guide or a map that will warn you of the hidden things contained in this book. For that information, you need to study Inuit oral history and talk to the people who have lived in the Arctic for generations." Ages 7â9.

October 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-The Arctic contains many known perils, but there may be even greater, unknown dangers lurking about. This book introduces 20 strange beings from Inuit mythology, giving each a full-page illustration and a few paragraphs of descriptive text. Most accounts are straightforward and perhaps a bit dry, though a few expand on the lore surrounding the subjects. Christopher says in the introduction that he "spent many years listening to these old stories, and researching the journals of Arctic explorers from long ago." However, readers are not made privy to his actual research, as a bibliography or list of sources is not included. An ending note urges readers to "study Inuit oral history and talk to the people who have lived in the Arctic for generations." A pronunciation guide breaks down the Inuktitut words previously featured in the text. Arnaktauyok's captivating illustrations, rendered primarily in brown with touches of gray, blue, and green, add to the eerie tone. Readers who are drawn to tales of cryptids, giants, and fantastical beasts will enjoy perusing the pages of this well-designed volume. VERDICT A brief introduction to Inuit mythology for folktale collections.-Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH

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