The Polar Bear Son, by Lydia Dabcovich
The Polar Bear Son is an Inuit tale retold and illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich. It tells the story of an old Inuit woman who adopts an orphan polar bear that provides food for her as it grows up. The story is about motherly love towards an adopted child. I like this book so much I made a Storysack for the NWT Literacy Council.
- Pat
Colour Your Way Through Yellowknife, by Elizabeth Purchase
This year for Christmas, I am gifting Colour Your Way Through Yellowknife, a colouring book by Yellowknifer Elizabeth Purchase. I decided to jump on the adult colouring book bandwagon, and gift my teen with some relaxation and creativity for Christmas. I also chose Department of Monsterology Volume 2; Sabbaticals, a graphic novel from Renegade Entertainment and written by Gordon Rennie. This book will be well received by another teen on my list who enjoys graphic novels. Graphic novels are a great way to engage reluctant readers, and are also a fun choice for avid readers who enjoy the comic genre.
- Kathryn
The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
For some time now, my go-to book for gifting has been The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma. I devour everything and anything this man writes. This book is a modern fable about success in business and in life. What draws me most is the encouragement to recognize the power of influence you have, no matter your position or title. This book explores concepts of intense innovation, becoming mentally strong, and becoming a “merchant of wow” with your customers. I love the people he presents in this book and the immense joy and satisfaction they get from their work.
- Amanda
The Illegal, by Lawrence Hill
This year I’m giving some friends The Illegal by Lawrence Hill. I’ve just finished reading it – I couldn’t put it down. It’s a fictional story, in a fictional location, but it deals with issues that are front and centre in our society at the moment. It’s about refugees, and their struggle to survive in a place that doesn’t really want them.
The main character, Keita Ali, is the illegal who lives in fear of being deported. He’s a long distance runner, who trains in secret and comes out once in a while to take part in races that offer cash prizes. The story follows Ali in his efforts to survive and save his sister. The book made me think about the plight of refugees. I am so glad that I live in Canada where we are now welcoming Syrian refugees.
- Helen
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
One of my favourite things to do is share the books that I love with others. When I was growing up my family would always read The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, every year at Christmas and it became one of my favourites. The book follows the adventure of a young boy, who on Christmas Eve, hops on a train headed to the North Pole. It is a magical story with beautiful illustrations. It’s no wonder this book has become a Christmas classic for many families. This year I am getting the book for my cousins so I can pass on one of the Christmas traditions I love so much.
- Charlotte
Night Moves, by Richard Van Camp
I love to share northern books.In Night Moves, Richard Van Camp builds on some of the same characters you might have met in his previous books. He explores a range of difficult topics from missing and murdered indigenous women, to transgender violence. In a recent interview, Richard said: “I am drawn to the underside of the Northwest Territories…That’s where the juice is for me.” The book challenged me with its younger and grittier world than the one I usually inhabit.
- Aggie
