It Bears Repeating

by Tanya Tagaq, Cee Pootoogook (illustrator)

This beautifully crafted picture book celebrates one of the world's most awesome 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 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!

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Animals, Indigenous, Canada, Childrens, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Tanya Tagaq CM is an improvisational performer, avant-garde composer, and experimental recording artist who won the 2014 Polaris Music Prize for her album Animism, a work that disrupted the music world in Canada and beyond with its powerfully original vision. Tagaq contorts elements of punk, metal, and electronica into a complex and contemporary sound that begins in breath, a communal and fundamental phenomenon. While the Polaris Prize signaled an awakening to Tanya Tagaq’s art and messages, she has been touring and collaborating with an elite international circle of artists for over a decade. Tagaq’s improvisational approach lends itself to collaboration across genres, and recent projects have pulled her in vastly different directions, from contributing guest vocals to a F**ked Up song (a hardcore punk band from Toronto) to premiering a composition made for Kronos Quartet’s Fifty for the Future collection, and composing a piece for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Tanya’s most recent album Retribution was released in fall 2016.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I have to thank my Goodreads friend Manybooks for recommending this fabulous book to me!

What an absolute delight! This picture book teaches counting in English and Greenlandic while following the adventures of some very fun polar bears (but not fun to seals!). Cee Pootoogook’s illustrations provide the perfect accompaniment to Tanya Tagaq’s lovely story.

If you really want a treat, you can listen to the author read the book in her beautiful voice here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgXdo...

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, what Inuk author (and well known throat singer) Tanya Tagaq and Inuit illustrator Cee Pootoogook present with their August 2024 It Bears Repeating is a delightfully simple dual language North Qikiqtaaluk dialect of Inuktitut and English counting book (and with Latin script for the North Qikiqtaaluk parts, but I am not sure if the the North Qikiqtaaluk dialect of Inuktitut would normally be in syllabics, probably yes, but I have not found specific information regarding this).

Using the numbers from one to ten and polar bears (actually only polar bears, although seals are being assumed in a few of the scenarios in It Bears Repeating), with the digits and the corresponding polar bears appearing in North Qikiqtaaluk (and interesting that North Qikiqtaaluk, that Inuktitut obviously has three different plural forms and that from six to ten, the number six seems to be used with an addition) and then presenting in English lyrically rendered information about what the featured polar bears are doing, It Bears Repeating has Tanya Tagaq verbally and Cee Pootoogook visually demonstrate a typical polar bear day with typical polar bear behaviour (stretching, sliding, running around, swimming, hunting, watching a seal hole for prey, eating, romping, napping, and finally walking away at the end of the day). And each number for It Bears Repeating is presented in its word form only (which works well enough I guess, albeit I do find this a wee bit annoying, as in my opinion, in children's counting books, digits should always be shown both verbally and numerically), with one page of It Bears Repeating given to Tagaq’s text and the other to Pootoogook’s illustrations (and of course with the illustrated polar bears equalling the written numbers).

Now Cee Pootoogook's artwork for It Bears Repeating (coloured pencil) is expressive and does a very nice job both mirroring Tanya Tagaq's words and equally visually expanding on them, with the bears' images clearly standing out (and which of course eases counting). But while I find Pootoogook's pictures aesthetically pleasant enough, I do wish that she would use a bit more colour, that her images for It Bears Repeating were a bit less faded. But yes indeed, It Bears Repeating shows a very successful and wonderful combination of text and images, and that for me personally, the icing on my reading cake is that on the last page of It Bears Repeating, Tanya Tagac provides translations and a pronunciation guide for the North Qikiqtaaluk words being used (which is more than adequate as supplemental language information, although the linguist in me kind of wishes that It Bears Repeating would also include a short introduction to and for North Qikiqtaaluk/Inuktitut grammar, that the latter is of course not necessary for a counting book for young children, but yes, grammar notes would definitely be making It Bears Repeating five instead of four stars for me).

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice enough counting book with loads of polar bears doing bear stuff and an introduction to the Inukitut language.

It just fell a bit too subdued for me in the art. It didn't feel right that the backgrounds were always blue and the bears were uniformly yellow. Polar bars can appear yellow sometimes, of course, but the expectation in my head for polar bears is usually white animals in white snow, yellowish ones in rocky brown terrain, and a mix of yellow and white in blue water. The lack of color variety left me visually unstimulated.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique counting book teaches one through ten in both English and Inuktitut!

[SusanTalksBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, for the ARC to read and review. This is a charming illustrated children's book to learn counting 1-10, with the twist that the numbers are also written in Inuktitut, which is the language of the Inuit people in eastern Canada. The illustrations are simple in yellows and blues, and there are 3-4 very short sentences on the opposite page. Counting books with animals are always wonderful, and representing another culture and language is nice.

I wish the author had included a phonetic spelling of each Inuktitut word, either on each page or as an appendix that also includes some basic information about the Inuit people for parents to share with their children. Also recommend that readers read as a PDF (not Kindle) or as a physical book upon release, Aug 20, 2024. 4-stars.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Bears Repeating is absolutely adorable. I'm a big fan of Tanya Tagaq's music, although I've been terrible at staying on top of my TBR so I haven't read Split Tooth yet, but I was excited to check out her debut picture book. The narrative is easy to follow with some very cute and even funny turns throughout, the counting aspect works very well (it counts out ten bears in English and Inuktitut), and the fun pun of the title is used in the story. Pootoogook's illustrations are done in a very traditional Inuit art style with a muted colour palate that makes the book very easy on the eyes. The overall vibe is reminiscent of picture books I might have come across when I was a child. Recommended for sure!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enchanting small book counting busy polar bears is bilingual English/Inuktitut and absolutely fantastic fun.
The simple illustrations by Cee Pootoogook are brilliantly active and fun.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, or your public library! But see the author's website for pronunciation, please.
I requested and received a free temporary digital galley on Adobe Digital Editions from
Penguin Random House Canada | Tundra Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a unique and fun book that teaches little ones about counting and all about polar bears. The simple and easy to understand text was perfect for my little ones. They loved counting the bears on each page and seeing what new things the bears will do like being strong and proud and dancing. Learning a new language at the same time was even more fun and made the book even more engaging. This is perfect for at home and in an early childhood classroom.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for this DRC.
This is a lovely counting book in Inuktitut and English. I found it to be joyful. I loved the striking and thoughtful art.


#ItBearsRepeating #NetGalley

[GK Bancroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute children's book on polar bears! I read it aloud with my child and they loved the photos and enjoyed the cadence of the book. I enjoy the opportunity to read books in advance, thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read through!

[Vanetta Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative and cute book. I am looking forward to reading more such books in the near future. It was a quick read, and I loved the pictures that accompany it.

[Lisa Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really cute book! I loved the illustrations.

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throat singer Tagaq draws on her Inuit heritage to celebrate the beloved polar bear in this sweet counting book featuring both English and Inuktitut. Two-page spreads, one side featuring large print text and the other a full-bleed illustration, show polar bears stretching tall, sliding, running, swimming, and hunting in their natural environments. The polar bears are various shades of yellow (not white), on an icy blue background representing snow and polar ice, and inviting little fingers to join in counting the bears as they learn about these giant beasts of northern Canada. The gentle soothing repetition makes it a perfect choice for sleepy ones at naptime or bedtime. The calm and muted illustrations by Nunavut carver and artist Pootoogook are created with pencil crayons. There is a short translation glossary on the copyright page, offering pronunciation help based on the North Qikiqtaaluk dialect. My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for including this title in its children’s easy book collection.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful picture book of polar bears to count. The book starts with a singular polar bear stretching to greet the day. It continues on to count up to ten polar bears. It shows all the things that polar bears may do in a day.

The author’s use of Inuktitut language, prominently featured in a larger, blue typeface. It adds a layer of cultural richness and serves as an educational tool. The roots are embedded in Inuktitut culture. I liked how the book offers a refreshing look on the natural world through the eyes of the majestic polar bear. The language and illustrations take this counting book above other picture books that I have read to children.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you recognize the author's name but haven't read her Split Tooth or I Would Give You My Tail, maybe you know her music. If not, than maybe you watched North of North on Netflix. Tagaq plays Nuliajuk, the goddess that Siaja sees when she almost drowns and that visits her in the bathtub.

It Bears Repeating was apparently her first children's book. It is a simple counting book using polar bears. It uses both English and Inuktitut. Even if you don't have kids or are not fan of Tagaq, the book is worth buying for the artwork of Cee Pootoogook.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple counting book featuring bears being bears. There's really nothing to make this one stand out in the crowd of children's picture books other than the text being in both English and Inuktitut. The illustrations are pale and unmemorable, and, yes, I know - the paws are depicted accurately, but I found all those toes to be incredibly distracting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for the read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a simple but arresting counting book by Tanya Tagaq, a Canadian Inuk, imagining a grand parade of polar bears, shown in both English and Inuktitut. The first is joined by another, and as they gather, they're sniffing, hunting, playing, dancing, and more. It will be much fun to read aloud, both enjoying the text and the art by Lee Pootoogook, a carver and printmaker. The ending offers a wonderful laugh.

[Sav (Savvy Book Collective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Bears Repeating is a cute and easy to read book. The lines are short enough to keep a young reader's attention. The colors of the illustrations aren't overwhelming. Adding the Inuktitut language was diverse, but unsure how to pronounce. I do wish the story had rhymes.

Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.
A counting book using majestic polar bears. Each page offers a look at a different part of their lives. The simple text is easy to follow. I appreciate that the Inuktitut language is also used and wish a pronunciation guide had been included somewhere. A fun last page that encourages readers to begin counting again.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a counting book about polar bears that includes numbers in English and Inuktitut. The pronunciation guide for the Inuktitut words are at the back of the book. As readers count the bears, they are doing everyday polar bear activities like sliding and swimming and hunting. It has a cute punny ending. It’s a fun book with good illustrations that children will like to read over and over.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and interesting counting book that teaches the numbers from one to ten in English and Inuktitut. The best part for me is the baby polar bears sometimes pictured with the big ones. And the author agrees with me as I learned listening to her read the book here!

[Jaime M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a gentle way in to learning Inuktut numbers from 1 - 9. My son really enjoys counting all of the bears on each of the pages and repeating the Inuktut word for the corresponding numbers. The illustrations are beautifully done and shows a ton of different ways to show a polar bear.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Atausiq nanny One polar bear" followed by a 3-line poem and illustration of that one bear. Following spreads count bears up to 10. A pronunciation for the Inuktitut terms is found in the back. The translation is there directly on the page.

[Kaitlyn (ktxx22) Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kiddos liked the polar bears! Counting them and acting out what they were doing. I only wish the pronunciation for the Inuit was on the page as opposed to the back glossary. But mayhap that is a me problem.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

From one up to ten, polar bears 🐻‍❄️ gather together to do what polar bears do best: 🌊 swim, slide, hunt and 💤 rest. Perfect for little ones learning to 🖐🏽 count, especially during the colder season. You’ll find the Inuktitut terms that are used in the back.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple counting book numbering yellow/cream bears from 1 to 10, in both Inuktitut and English. Check out the translation and pronunciation guide.

Themes: bears, indigenous (Canada), counting
Ages: toddler-K
Pub year: 2024

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Counting book with some Inuktitut words. Not a great read aloud or storyline.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite, but a cute counting book with numbers also presented in innuit.

[April Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming counting book for the wee ones.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple art and simple text in a counting book from an indigenous creator. A URL links to the author reading the book aloud in the Inuktitut language.