A Good Hide

by Karina Iceberg, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

From these hands, old to new, a tradition of love passes through.

In Alaska, Fall is moose season. When the hunt is over, the community comes together to transform the raw moose hide into something truly special, step by step, with the work of many hands.

From stretching and scraping to making brain stew, each part of the process is a celebration! With humor and heart, debut author Karina Iceberg (Aleut/Alutiiq) and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan (Métis) share a resonant message of gratitude, community, and shared knowledge as an intertribal Native Alaskan community works together to tan a moose hide.

Features author's note and a note from Heartdrum author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A process I was entirely unfamiliar with, and its various and sacred trends (specific and time-consuming) which happen in order to ensure a moose hide is preserved and usable. I am fascinated and I am sure that Alaska native youth are engaged in the process so it will be carried on for many more years into the future.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot more work than you might think to make a good hide-- in this book, an Alaska Native family treat a moose hide step by step! I learned a lot from this, even as an adult.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about making hide in the Native way. A wonderful look into a tradition that many kids might not have seen or heard about.