Amorak.

by Tim Jessell

In this retelling of an Inuit creation myth, Grandfather explains why the caribou and the wolf are brothers.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! Interesting Inuit legend. Amorak means the spirit of the wolf.

[Zach Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amorak is a traditional myth of the Inuit people of Alaska. It tells how caribou were created by the Great Being of the Sky to help the Inuit people obtain food, clothing and shelter. However, when the caribou herd become dominated by weak and sick animals, the Inuit people had a problem on their hands. They asked for the Great Being of the Sky to help them with all these weak and sick caribou, and so She created the wolf to hunt those animals and ultimately help with the health of the caribou herd. Through this relationship, the story explains, the caribou and wolf are actually brothers.

Amorak uses animal and legendary mythical characters to convey a message about interconnectedness and each creature’s role in the food web. This is a 3rd-4th grade reading level. I would use this book as a part of a biology lesson and/or a lesson about the Inuit people.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book version of the Inuit creation story and how the wolf came to exist. Tim Jessel brings this legend to life with his stunning images and writting. It is one of my favourite childhood stories.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in the book are fantastic! The Cover photo doesn't do it justice. The picture of the wolf with the snow flakes falling down...superb!

I like the story and of how the Caribous and the Wolves are brothers!