Kamik's First Sled

K-Gr 2—Jake is anxious to train Kamik, his rambunctious Siberian Husky puppy, as a sled dog. His supportive grandmother gives him some sage advice based on her own experiences helping her father train his dogs when she was young. The grandmother packs them a picnic and suggests that he take Kamik out of town so he won't be distracted by the other dogs. When Jake opens his picnic pack, he finds an old sealskin and dog harness. He is able to teach Kamik the commands for left and right turns but realizes only after the dog takes off after an arctic hare that he hasn't taught him "whoa." They are now far from town, and when storm clouds gather, Jake is frightened. However, Kamik's instincts lead them through the storm straight back to his grandmother's house. Jake now feels assured that Kamik will grow into a strong, smart sled dog. The author has adapted the stories from her own memories growing up near Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, Canada. The text is clearly written but is a bit long and wordy for the intended age group. The watercolor illustrations seem rather static, even when Kamik is running at full speed.