The Dancing Trees

Irniapiq unipkaarumajuktuq, Angijut unipkaangit. Unipkaat qanuq ajuidjuhirmigut maniqqamiittuni. Kihimi ilannaita tuhaan’nguramikkik unipkaarjuangit, Irniapiq ilitturipkaivaktukhaq ajuidjuhirmigut.

Akiraqtuqtaugami hiniktarluni napaaqtulingmi avaliittumik, Irniapiq napaatuliliaqtuq. Napaaqtut, tuhaahimagamikkik unipkaangit, qun’ngiaqhimajaat ungavaqtirijuq napaaqtut qaliqtainnik iqqakuunginaqhunilu. Taimaa, Irniapiq hiniktillugu, numiliqtut numngunmingnik Irniapiq aallangajumik unipkaaqtakhaqalirniaqtuq—aijaujaamini apqutaa paqittaarumiuk…

Uvani taiguarmi, Masiana Kelly unipkaaliuqtuq pinniuhianik Nunattiap qaujimattiaruhiinniglu Inirnikhaat, tautuktittijaamini ikpingnauhianik nunap avatiptingni piqpagijaujukhaunhiannik.

Thomas loves to tell stories. Big stories. Stories about how skilled he is on the land. But when one of his friends grows tired of his tall tales, Thomas has to prove how skilled he really is.

Taking the challenge to spend a night alone in the forest, Thomas heads into the wilderness. The trees, who have heard his stories, watch him tear off their bark and litter as he goes. And so, while Thomas sleeps, they dance a dance that will leave Thomas with a very different kind of story to tell—if he can find his way home…

In this book, Masiana Kelly draws on the beauty of the Northwest Territories and the wisdom of Elders to illustrate the importance of treating the land around us with respect.

Written by Masiana Kelly | Illustrated by Michelle Simpson

Hardcover (English) | ISBN: 978-1-77227-369-4 | $18.95 | 9.5″ x 8″ | 32 pages | Full-colour illustrations | Ages 5-7 | F&P Level N |

Paperback (Inuinnaqtun) | ISBN: 978-1-77227-364-9 | $12.95 | 9.5″ x 8″ | 32 pages | Full-colour illustrations | Ages 5–7 | F&P Level N |

Praise

“[T]he fable accomplishes its educative goal while entertaining readers with memorable characters and suspense. Uniquely successful.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[S]uspensefully well-paced, and Thomas’s journey offers much food for thought.”—Canadian Children’s Booknews

Awards

Shortlisted — First Nation Communities READ Award, 2022