COUNTING ARCTIC ANIMALS

Two Inuit children count arctic animals.

This rhyming board book shows some familiar cold climate animals and some that might be new to young readers, like musk oxen and caribou. The children, Kuluk and Asa, serve as guides on each page, while rhyming text describes the animals. Both kids are dressed in Inuit cold-weather garments, and Apunnguaq Lynge uses one Inuktitut word—ulu, meaning “a crescent knife traditionally used by women”—in the book. The glossary lists the word for each animal grouping as used in the text: a blessing of narwhals and a huddle of walruses, for example. While the rich vocabulary is a boon, the rhyming text often feels awkward and somewhat forced, making for a bumpy read-aloud. Still, the illustrations are appealing, especially the depictions of the animal groups. The heavy-lidded walruses and wide-eyed caribou are especially fun, with a realistic feel. Kuluk and Asa also appear on every page with subtle changes in their expressions, a large numeral behind them to denote the number of each species they see. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Educational and attractive.