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2002
finalists.

2002 Hackmatack

Children's Choice Book Award/Prix littéraire - le choix de jeunes

This colourfully illustrated book introduces young readers to the people that inhabit the northern regions of the world, their history, culture and way of life, and also the animals and plants that share the land with them. The book also includes some legends and traditional tales from Arctic lands, including the well-known Inuit legend of Sedna the Sea Spirit.

The "far north" is defined with a simple description and map and the arctic environment and climate are described, including what this region was like in prehistoric times.

Plants and animals unique to this region are introduced and we meet the ancient peoples who first settled and survived in this harsh land - the Saami, the Evenki, the Nganasan and the ancestors of Canada's own Inuit people. We learn about their lives of hunting and herding and also how the arrival of Europeans and "southern" society changed their way of life. The book concludes with a look at the life of Northern people today and some thoughts about the future.

An easy-to-read, attractive and very informative book about this unique region of the world for ages 8 and up.