Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails (Paperback)

by Michael Kusugak (Author), Vladyana Krykorka (Illustrator) "A long time ago, when Kataujaq was little, her mother said, "We called you Kataujaq because, when you were born, you were as pretty as..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review
The best tasting, nutritious, easy to prepare muffins specially selected from the author's personal collection.

Product Description

Northern Lights is a beautiful tale that explores the mystical aspects of the northern lights in Inuit culture.

Scientists have their own explanations for the phenomenon that occurs when the night sky shimmers with milky white patterns, or displays all the colors of the rainbow. But the Inuit prefer their own explanation: They believe the souls of the dead are engaging in a lively game of soccer, just as they did when they were living. They run all over the sky chasing a walrus head that they use for a soccer ball.

This is the story of Kataujaq and the intimate relationship she has with her mother. They do almost everything together; they hug, rub noses and say "Mamaq" which means "You smell so nice." But a great sickness comes and Kataujaq's mother is taken south to the white people's hospital and never comes back. Kataujaq grieves, but is also able to rejoice when she and her grandmother watch the northern lights.

This book celebrates family life, intimacy and the glory of nature.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press (August 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550373382
• ISBN-13: 978-1550373387
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,286,273 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Kusugak, Michael
  #5 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Krykorka, Vladyana
  #65 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Native People (Canada)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Northern Lights: the Soccer Trails, April 5, 2000

By	Kelly Gramlich (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This award winning picture book is the story of Kataujaq, a young girl living in Canada's arctic who loses her mother to a sudden illness. Kauaujaq greatly misses her mother, and several years pass with her dealing with her grief on her own. It is explained that the people of her village like to play soccer out on the sea ice under the moonlight, using a caribou skin ball stuffed with moss and fur. Her grandmother tells her that the thousands of thin strands of light moving about in the northern lights above them are really the souls of those that have passed on, playing soccer with a huge, frozen walrus head. This greatly consoles Kataujak as she feels her mother's presence, and no longer feels as lonely.

Full of Canadian content, the text and illustrations realistically convey many aspects of life in Canada's north. Highly recommended as a read-aloud for children in grades 1-2.