Guest Author - Kimi Ross

Looking for some good books to introduce your child to the wonders of Alaska? Here are five picture books that work as read alouds for ages 5 and up.

Alaska’s Three Pigs
Written by Arlene Laverde, illustrated by Mindy Dwyer
Ages 5-8

Here’s a traditional tale with an Alaskan twist, in which the three little pigs arrive in Alaska in the height of summer and spend the days hiking, camping, and fishing. As the frost of fall arrives, they realize they need to build houses for the winter. So dressed in fur coats, they set out to build their houses.

This book provides an introduction to Alaska’s environment, animals and activities in the context of a familiar story. As the grizzly bear huffs and puffs in his quest for a meal of pigs, your kids will learn about the Alaskan landscape while they enjoy the engaging story and lively illustrations.

Salmon SummerText and photos by Bruce McMillan
Ages 7 and up

Every summer, salmon return to Alaska’s streams and rivers. This book provides a detailed look at the relationship between salmon and Alaska’s Native people. Alex, a nine year old Aleut, spends the summer at his family’s fish camp on Kodiak Island, just as his ancestors did. The abundance of salmon provides food not only for his family, but for birds, bears, and foxes.

The detailed text and excellent photos provide a glimpse into a way of life that is quickly disappearing. Youngsters will enjoy looking at the photos of Alex and his family members, the animals in their environment, and the dried fish Alex’s family makes for winter eating. Older children will enjoy learning about Native culture through the text as well as the photos. This is a wonderful book to introduce kids to an important aspect of Alaska’s heritage.

Song of the North
Poem by Frank Asch, Photos by Ted Levin
Ages 5 and up

This book, by the author of well-loved Moonbear books, uses a simple structure and repetition to teach about the animals of northern landscapes. The repeated refrain, “But who knows Salmon (or another animal) and the song she sings?” allows even the youngest readers to participate in reading the book with a parent.

The photography includes close ups of a variety of Alaskan animals as well as scenic photos with animals in them. Readers of all ages will appreciate the artistry and detail of the photos; parents will enjoy the suggestive lyricism of the text.

Togo
Written and Illustrated by Robert Blake
Ages 8 and up

While there are numerous books about the sled dog Balto and his part in the historical 1925 Serum Run to Nome, there is much less hoopla surrounding Togo. Togo was a scrappy puppy in Leonhard Seppala’s kennel – a small dog Seppala thought had too much wildness and independence to be part of his team.

Through Blake’s painstaking research, however, we learn the story of Togo – a dog who eventually became Seppala’s most prized leader and the unsung hero of the 1925 run that took the life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome. With his unfailing sense of direction and incredible work ethic, Togo led Seppala’s team from Nome to Golovin and across Norton Bay to get the serum, and then turned around with the serum to return to Golovin – a distance of 350 miles in some of the worst winter weather the north can provide.

Blake’s intricate oil paintings and well-researched text combine to provide and satisfying and inspiring true story about this important event in Alaska history.

Nutik, the Wolf Pup
Written by Jean Craighead George, Illustrated by Ted Rand
Ages 6 and up

From the author of the Newberry Award winner Julie of the Wolves comes this story of Julie’s younger brother, Amaroq, and his life in an Eskimo village “at the top of the world.” When Julie brings home two wolf pups and gives one to Amaroq to raise, she warns him not to fall in love with the pup, as she has promised the wolves they can come and take the pups away when they are fat and well.

As she did in Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead George paints a touching picture of the relationship between an individual Eskimo and wolves. Children will enjoy the illustrations of Amaroq and Nutik playing together and will be satisfied by how this story ends.