Whale Snow

Charlesbridge, 2003

Whale Snow is a celebration of family, community and spirit. Amiqqaq is excited when his family catches a bowhead whale. As his family prepares to celebrate the traditional Iñupiaq whaling feast, Amiqqaq learns about the spirit-of-the-whale.

This story began from one single image, one idea.

Sometimes, during the spring whaling season when the whalers are camped out on the ocean ice in their big white canvas tents, waiting for whales, a certain kind of snow falls—big, slow, gentle flakes. When the elders see that kind of snow they say: someone must have caught a whale! 

And it always turned out to be true, too. 

Imagine a people so connected to the land that the land speaks to them.

Awards:

• CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

• ILA Notable Books for a Global Society

• Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year

• Independent Publishers Children's Book Award, Best Picture Book

• American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) Best Books for Elementary School

Reviews:
"Filled with joy, this tale about a loving family and a caring community is something all youngsters can understand…An intriguing glimpse into another culture." -- School  Library Journal