The Littlest Sled Dog [Hardcover]

Michael Kusugak (Author), Vladyana Krykorka (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008 | Grade Level: P and up

Igvillu said to herself, 'When I grow up, I am going to be a St. Bernard.' She dreamed about running in the deep, pure-white snows of the Alps and rescuing skiers. She dreamed of running, running so fast, chasing wolves with sleek Irish wolfhounds. She dreamed of hunting with dingoes in Australia. She dreamed of splashing in clear waters fetching ducks with golden retrievers. But most of the time she dreamed about pulling huge, heavy sleds with big huskies, way up north. Igvillu is a little dog with big dreams. One of her favorite dreams is of becoming a sled dog. When Igvillu is adopted from her kennel by an Inuit storyteller and moves to northern Canada, she comes face-to-face with real sled dogs. Igvillu loves living in the North, chasing siksiks and dreaming about her future. She's a dog who believes anything is possible!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Igvillu is a small terrier who dreams of being a sled dog, and when she is adopted by an Inuit storyteller and taken to the North to live, she believes her dreams will come true. Then she meets a gruff sled-dog leader who threatens to kill her and puts that dream behind her. Later that evening, her master is watching The Wizard of Oz, her favorite movie, and she recognizes that small dogs can be heroes, too. Dog lovers will enjoy this story of dreaming big and just may learn about life in Nunavut, as the story and illustrations contain details that can dispel misconceptions about life in the great Northern reaches of Canada. Full-color paintings filled with motion complement the black-and-white scratchboard silhouettes that frame the text. Libraries needing additional material on modern Inuit life will want this title.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"An endearing story for elementary children... [that] subtly includes Inuit life, both in words and illustrated landscapes, as a way to introduce the reader to Inuit culture." (The Bookmark (BCTLA) 20081122)

"[It] will appeal to young dog lovers, not only because Igvillu himself is so charming, but because his story evokes the essential conflict of childhood-the need to venture out into the big, cold world to explore, while never straying too far from the warmth and safety of home." (Quill & Quire 20081204)

"A charming story that meshes the reality of life in the north and the imaginary world of a dreamy little pet. Kusugak writes fluently but manages to retain some of the cadence of a traditional storyteller. Krykorka's stunning illustrations evoke a world of the tundra in both summer and winter. Highly recommended." (CM Magazine 20081206)

"Delightful picture book." (The Globe and Mail 20090101)

"Vladyana Krykorka's swirling, aurora-bright illustrations blend with a charming story for young children." (The Georgia Straight 20090101)

"This humble children's narrative is a great read and a visual treat for any child or parent." (St. Albert Gazette 20081201)

"The story's sly confluence of fantasy and reality, tradition and modernity, is captured in Krykorka's candy-colored pictures that blithely swoop from Igvillu's dreams to the equally spectacular Nunavut landscape." (Horn Book Magazine 20090101)

"Dog lovers will enjoy this story of dreaming big and just may learn about life in Nunavut, as the story and illustrations contain details that can dispel misconceptions about life in the great Northern reaches of Canada." (School Library Journal 20090118)

"This story is engaging and richly evocative of the Arctic landscape...a solid Canadian pick for all collections." (Resource Links 20090317)

"A lovely story...My children loved this book as we own a Cairn and can totally relate to the dog's spunky personality. Recommended." (Tucson Unified School District )

"Kusugak writes with sly irony, poking fun at the romantic fantasies of 'The North' that one finds in adventure stories...Igvillu is an endearing pooch and her master has a marked resemblance to Kusugak - something kids might enjoy noticing...Some Inuktitut words and explanations for Arctic features give the story added substance." (The Toronto Star )

*no details* (Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155143752X
• ISBN-13: 978-1551437521
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,702,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Littlest Sled Dog, November 24, 2009

By 

J. Whitcomb "horse crazy" (Auburn, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Littlest Sled Dog (Hardcover)

I am an artist and Cairn terrier breeder and I bought this on the off chance it would please me in both departments and it did! Beautiful color and fantastically enjoyable illustrations and a lovely story of the little dog that could, or wanted to anyway.