FICTION

Kiviuq and the Mermaids

by Noel, retel MCDERMOTT
illus. by Toma Feizo Gas. 40p. Inhabit Media. Nov. 2016. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781772270822.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—McDermott, a retired literature professor at Nunavut Arctic College in Nunavut, Canada, retells a thrilling tale about the adventurer Kiviuq and his narrow escape from deadly mermaids, or tuutaliit. Gas's dramatic illustrations in combination with an action-packed story create a must-have selection for kids comfortable with chapter books. Although there are moments of genuine terror (the tuutalitt are quite gruesome creatures with sharp fangs and claws), Kiviuq's eventual return to safety will soothe those not quite ready for unhappy endings. The tale concludes with Kiviuq drifting off to sleep in his tent and the narrator asking readers: "What do you think he dreamt about?"—offering students a moment to reflect, imagine, and discuss. The pronunciation guide to Inuktitut vocabulary is an added bonus.
VERDICT What a find for chapter book—level mythology collections: more Kiviuq adventures, please!
Reviewed by Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA , Nov 01, 2016

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