About the Book

"Counting book about counting bears in English and Inukuktitut."--

Book Synopsis

Nominated for the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award -- Young People's Illustrated Books

This beautifully crafted picture book celebrates one of the world's most awesome animals: the polar bear. Evocative but simple text by award-winning musician and artist Tanya Tagaq is accompanied by striking art in this classic counting book.

Beginning with 1 proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, this delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms: slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Tanya has created a story meant to be read aloud, incorporating simple Inuktitut words and using her keen ear for the musical sound of language.

This book is joyful, powerful, clever and striking -- much like the bears who sniff, slide, swim, hunt, play and dance through its pages. And when you get to the last page, you won't be able to resist going back to repeat the journey!

Review Quotes

Nominated for the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award -- Young People's Literature, Illustrated Books
One of CBC Books' Best Canadian Books of 2024 for Kids & Teens
One of Quill & Quire's Favourite Young Readers Titles of 2024
Shortlisted for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, 2025
One of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring 2025

PRAISE FOR It Bears Repeating

"An intriguing, culturally responsive primer . . . It does, in fact, bear repeating." --Kirkus Reviews

"In her debut for children, Tagaq explores gentler territory while remaining true to her roots." --Publishers Weekly

"Rich language and striking illustrations take this counting book beyond the standard fare. A real treat and recommended." --School Library Journal

"A lively read-aloud that invites repeat visits, just as its title promises . . . Spare, poetic text paired with expressive, endearing illustrations add up to a simply splendid counting book that engages readers on several levels." --Canadian Children's Book Centre

"[Both] culturally specific and universal, and rewards repeated readings that are refreshing both literally and figuratively." --Imaginary Elevators

"[A] most worthy addition to home collections as well as libraries serving the pre and early school audience. Highly recommended." --CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"The book has great potential for storytime when children are a bit antsy -- they can stretch and wiggle right along with the bears." --Hakai Magazine

"Beginning with one proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, the delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms: slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Fun for kids to count along while they learn about polar bears and all of their daily activities." --Story Monsters Ink

About the Author

TANYA TAGAQ is a Canadian (Inuk) throat singer from Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq), Nunavut, Canada, on the south coast of Victoria Island. She is an improvisational singer, avant-garde composer and bestselling author. A member of the Order of Canada, Polaris Music Prize and Juno Award winner and recipient of multiple honorary doctorates, Tagaq is an original disruptor, a world-changing figure at the forefront of seismic social, political and environmental change. Tanya's first book was a novel called Split Tooth, which won and was nominated for numerous awards, including the prestigious Scotiabank Giller Prize (longlisted). It Bears Repeating is her first book for children.

CEE POOTOOGOOK is the eldest son of the late Napachie Pootoogook and Eegyvadluk Pootoogook, and older brother to the well-known Cape Dorset contemporary artist, Annie Pootoogook. Around 1990, Cee began carving and he developed a solid reputation for his curious and well executed depictions of spirits and transformations. In 2009, Cee gave up sculpture and began work as a stonecut printer. In a very short time, Cee demonstrated an aptitude for the precise and methodical qualities required for the time-consuming work of editioning prints. He has also been drawing for the past several years, depicting the day-to-day activities of community life as well as traditional subjects and wildlife. Cee has exhibited his work across Canada, the United States and Germany.