On April 26, 2022No Comments

Putuguq and Kublu and the Attack of the Amautalik!

Putugukkuk Kublukkuk anaanattiakkunginniittuuk ullurummitarnautillugu- Uujuqtuqtut tuktuminirmik, Putuguup mamarilaattianga! Putuguup aliqsituqangik (tipiqaqtutillu) ataatattiangata iqqaitingik unikkaarmi Amautalik Iliarjullu, unikkaaqtuaq iliarjuup miksaanut silairrittilauqsimaninganik nunamiutarulummik tuurngarmik. Anaanattiangata unikkaaqtanga Putuguup takunnannguaqtanga qanutuinnaaluk . . . .

Ullurummitarnaugiirngat, Putugukkuk Kublukkuk pillarinnguarumaliqtuuk taassuminga unikkaarmik. Kisiani, Putuguup taanna pillarinnguatuinnautinngitanga. Assualuk takujauqujanga kappiasunnginninga niriuttinnagu Kublu . . . atuqtunigik aliqsingik tipilialuuk!

In each new adventure, Putuguq and Kublu learn about an element of Inuit mythology from their Elders, sometimes using what they learn to get the best of each other!

Putuguq and Kublu are at their grandparents’ house for lunch—caribou stew, Putuguq’s favourite! Putuguq’s worn out (and stinky!) kamiik remind his grandparents of the story of the amautalik and the orphan, a traditional story about a little orphan who outsmarts a child-stealing ogress. Grandmother’s storytelling over lunch starts Putuguq’s imagination running wild. . . .

After lunch, Putuguq and Kublu decide to act out the story their grandmother has just told. But, for Putuguq, this is no ordinary play. He is determined to prove his fearlessness to an unsuspecting Kublu . . . with a little help from his stinky socks!

Praise

“Putuguq & Kublu and the Attack of the Amautalik! is a superb addition to a delightful series that delivers knowledge and adventure in equal measure. Highly Recommended.”—CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“This graphic novel aimed at emergent readers offers a much-needed window into the world of Arctic First Nations families and legends…Colorful, expressive, and highly stylized cartoon illustrations offer broad appeal to kids, especially those interested in creepy creatures. VERDICT A superb addition to beginning reader collections.” — ★School Library Journal, Starred Review

“[T]he depictions of the imagined qalupalik and the Tuniq hunter Putuguq pretends to be are stunning in their monochromatic purple shades. The layout of their village is mapped in the opening pages—the careful inclusion of raised, wood-frame buildings with no igloo in sight adds to the educational value of the story. Ultimately, humor rules the day as Putuguq and Kublu’s grandfather tricks them into being safe when they play near the water.” — Kirkus

“More playful than scary, Putuguq & Kublu and the Qalupalik! succeeds in teaching about contemporary Indigenous culture in a non-didactic, humorous way. As a supplementary text, it will easily align to curricula while helping children build their literacy skills. With brightly coloured illustrations and engaging dialogue, it’s one of those books that is highly informational without revealing as much to its young readers.”—Quill & Quire

“This graphic novel for beginners has just the right balance of mischief, excitement, and danger, with enough humor to keep things light. Bright colors, clean lines, and larger panels make for inviting, uncluttered reading. Set in a small town in Nunavut, Canada, this story centers Inuit culture in all aspects but never feels forced or didactic. Rather, readers will get a glimpse into contemporary Indigenous lives that are both different and very much like their own.”—Booklist

“For the graphic novel fan. . . . The latest in a series that neatly mixes Inuit mythology and the lives of contemporary kids focuses on an amautalik, a child-stealing ogress, who’s outsmarted by an orphan.”—The Globe and Mail

Awards

Best Graphic Novels for Children — The American Library Association’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table, 2022

Short-listed — Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards, 2023