Una Huna?: Ukpik Learns to Sew - by Susan Aglukark (Hardcover)

About the Book

Ukpik can't stop thinking about the beautiful new beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. Anaana won't let Ukpik sew with the beads yet, but she has a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy the new-found treasures while also learning the skills she needs!

Book Synopsis

Ukpik's mother is eager to teach Ukpik how to prepare caribou skin, dry it, and use it to sew a pair of simple, useful mitts. But Ukpik can't stop thinking about the beautiful new beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. They are so bright and beautiful! Anaana knows it is more important for Ukpik to learn the skills she will need to make her own clothing in the cold Arctic climate, so she insists that Ukpik sit with her and learn the basics, while having a bit of fun, too. Though Anaana won't let Ukpik sew with the new beads just yet, she does have a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy the new-found treasures while also learning the skills she will need to provide for herself and her family.

Review Quotes

Una Huna?: Ukpik Learns to Sew is an endearing recollection of the learning of traditional skills from a parent who is both patient, wise and loving. It's about being at the crossroads of past and future, connecting to one's heritage but seeing what that might mean for later. It's a big story told skilfully with the essence of the Inuit at its core.

-- "CanLit for Little Canadians"

[A] beautiful story that is lively and thought-provoking...I highly recommend this book for all readers inside the classroom and out as it is a wonderful peek into an important aspect of Inuit culture.

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Material"

A great resource for lessons on the Inuit or larger studies on cultural awareness

-- "School Library Journal"

Besides being the first Inuit artist to win a Juno award, Susan Aglukark is someone who knows the importance of family history and culture. Her book, Una Huna?: Upik Learns to Sew, is the story of a young girl, Upik, and the relationship she has with her mother while learning the cultural ways of her people. Anaana (Upik's mother) wants to be sure her children don't forget the ancestors who came before them and how hard they worked to survive on the tundra. Family and cultural values are shared throughout this book, and the colourful illustrations add life to the narrative.-- "Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools"

"A meaningful portrait of a young child living and loving in a unique period of North American history."--★ Kirkus, STARRED review

"...[A] wonderful look at how different life can be for people of the Arctic."--Calgary Herald