Description
The Delta is My Home, Ehdiitat shanankat t'agoonch'uu Uvanga Nunatarmuitmi aimayuaqtunga is one of the first titles in Fifth House Publishing's The Land Is Our Storybook series. This book co-authored by eleven-year-old Tom McLeod and Mindy Willet offers readers a view into the day-to-day life of this Gwich'in and Inuvialuit boy's community and family. Tom's family lives in Aklavik, a town in the Mackenzie Delta. His mother is Inuvialuit and his father is Gwich'in. Tom loves his home and the land around the delta region. He explains the geography of the area and how the town is often flooded in the spring. He shows readers his school where he and his younger sister attend. More importantly Tom describes his life on the land and his family's respect for the birds, animals, and environment. He tells the story of his first caribou hunt, he explains how he and his father hunt for ducks and trap muskrats. He also shows how his mother and sister prepare the ducks for cooking and includes his mother's recipe for bannock. The informative and engaging text is supported by 50 colour photographs taken by Tessa Macintosh. Tom provides birding and muskrat illustrations and captions. The book includes a map of the Mackenzie Delta, and a glossary of terms. The part biography and information book shows that First Nations of the North can live successful lives engaged in traditional activities while maintaining the environment for future generations. ATOS Reading Level: 5.4; Reading Level: 5.1. Highly recommended. This book is selected as a recommended title in the 2009 First Nations Libraries Community Reads program. Junior Spring 2012