James Houston's Treasury of Inuit Legends (Odyssey Classics (Odyssey Classics)) [Hardcover]

James A. Houston (Author), Theodore Taylor (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Odyssey Classics (Odyssey Classics)

James Houston made his first journey to the Canadian Arctic in 1948 in search of a new land to paint. There he found a warm, friendly people living in a vast, cold, hauntingly beautiful world. He lived with the Inuit and Indian people in the Arctic and grew to understand them and their way of life. He also helped introduce Inuit culture to the world with his remarkable art and stories.     

    

Here are four of his exciting Inuit folktales--Akavak, Tiktaliktak, The White Archer, and Wolf Run--collected for the first time in one beautiful volume. Houston's striking illustrations for each story bring the Arctic and its people to life. This inspired collection is sure to fascinate readers of all ages.

 

Includes an introduction by Theodore Taylor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Four tales of the never ending struggle for survival in the harsh Canadian Arctic will give readers an appreciation for the life and culture of the native peoples who call this icy land home. In Tiktaliktak, a young hunter is trapped on a drifting ice floe and carried far away from his family; can he survive alone on the barren island he finally reaches and ultimately make his way home? In The White Archer, Kanguq has one overwhelming purpose—to become a great archer and take revenge on the First Nation warriors who killed his family and kidnapped his sister. A young boy takes his grandfather on a long and extraordinarily difficult journey in the story of Akavak; can they reach the brother that the grandfather longs to see before his death? And in Wolf Run, Panniq fights off starvation and despair in his desperate search to find food to save his family. These previously published stories of courage and survival are appropriate for readers of all ages. The book's introduction includes a brief biography of the author who lived for many years with the Inuit. 2006, Harcourt, and Ages 10 up. (Anita Barnes Lowen - Children's Literature ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

JAMES A. HOUSTON (1921-2005) is the award-winning author and illustrator of many books that portray the striking landscape of the Arctic and its strong independent people. He also produced and directed documentary films and was a master designer for New York City's Steuben Glass Company.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1-Simul edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152059245
• ISBN-13: 978-0152059248
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,527,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Collections

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful stories for any age, April 27, 2011

By 

Jane Rosenblum "book reader" (bay area california) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: James Houston's Treasury of Inuit Legends (Odyssey Classics (Odyssey Classics)) (Paperback)

This book is a set of stories set in the Arctic, long before snow mobiles, rifles, or any modern technology that has changed the lives of people living in a stone age culture. Simply and beautifully written, this book would be suitable for an older child or teenager, but also fascinating for adults interested in Eskimo life.

Each of the stories describes a character overcoming serious challenges, often the threat of starvation. I found each one engaging and evocative, so much so that sometimes I stopped reading for a while, because I couldn't stand the feeling of intense cold that the the author keeps the reader feeling!

As a dog trainer, I was especially interested in the descriptions of sled dogs and how they were handled - hardly the way we treat our domestic dogs today. But I imagine very real!

I also read Houston's The White Dawn, a more serious, adult-level book, and loved it. I highly recommend this Treasury to anyone interested in native life in the Arctic.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in life in the Arctic.