Those That Cause Fear

by Neil Christopher, Germaine Arnattaujuq (Arnaktauyok) (Illustrator)

Overview

This book introduces kids to the spine-tingling, hair-raising creatures found in Inuit myths. From the mahahaa, a fearsome creature that tickles people to death, to the palraiyuk, a reptilian creature said to have six legs and the body of a snake, this book introduces kids to all the creepy, spooky, and downright scary creatures told about in Inuit traditional myths.

"Renowned Inuit artist Arnaktauyok illustrates each one with smooth tints and stylized postures reflecting traditional Inuit art, emphasizing a bizarre otherworldliness that suits the subject perfectly." - Toronto Star

"The sometimes-frightening creatures should easily hit the spot for kids who like scary stories . . ." - Publisher’s Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781772271720
Publisher:	Inhabit Media
Publication date:	11/01/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Neil Christopher is an educator, author, and filmmaker. He first moved to the North many years ago to help start a high school program in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. It was those students who first introduced Neil to the mythical inhabitants from Inuit traditional stories. Together with his colleague, Louise Flaherty, and his brother, Danny Christopher, Neil started a small publishing company in Nunavut called Inhabit Media Inc., and has since been working to promote Northern stories and authors.

Germaine Arnattaujuq is an award-winning Inuit artist and illustrator, best known for her prints and etchings depicting Inuit myths and traditional ways of life. In 1999, she designed the special edition two-dollar coin commemorating the founding of the territory of Nunavut. She is the co-author, with Gyu Oh, of My Name Is Arnaktauyok: The Life and Art of Germaine Arnaktauyok, and she has illustrated numerous books. Germaine is the recipient of the 2021 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. She lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Editorial Reviews

08/08/2016
Christopher and Inuit artist Arnaktauyok, who previously collaborated on Way Back Then (2015), return to the subject of myth and legend as they introduce 20 monsters and other creatures from Inuit lore, including the reptilian palraijuq, giants friendly and fierce, and Nujliajuk, "mother of the sea animals." Left-hand pages feature Arnaktauyok's handsome, crisply outlined images of the creatures; on the facing pages, Christopher's cautionary notes treats readers as would-be explorers of the North who need to be wary: "If you are alone on the land in the winter, you need to watch out for a creature called Mahahaa," a giggling menace that Arnaktauyok pictures with wild hair like Shockheaded Peter and long, snaking fingernails. The sometimes-frightening creatures should easily hit the spot for kids who like scary stories, and Christopher invites them to learn more about Inuit culture and the creation of these vibrant legends: "You will not find a travel guide or a map that will warn you of the hidden things contained in this book. For that information, you need to study Inuit oral history and talk to the people who have lived in the Arctic for generations." Ages 7–9. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Renowned Inuit artist Arnaktauyok illustrates each one with smooth tints and stylized postures reflecting traditional Inuit art, emphasizing a bizarre otherworldliness that suits the subject perfectly.”—Toronto Star

“The sometimes-frightening creatures should easily hit the spot for kids who like scary stories . . .”—Publishers Weekly

“While possibly frightening for young readers, it will be welcomed by anyone fascinated by Arctic culture.”—Winnipeg Free Press

“Neil Christopher’s details of these twenty creatures are given substance with Germaine Arnaktauyok’s bold artwork in its earthy tones of browns, greys and taupes, and cold water blues.”—CanLit for Little Canadians

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
Gr 3–6—The Arctic contains many known perils, but there may be even greater, unknown dangers lurking about. This book introduces 20 strange beings from Inuit mythology, giving each a full-page illustration and a few paragraphs of descriptive text. Most accounts are straightforward and perhaps a bit dry, though a few expand on the lore surrounding the subjects. Christopher says in the introduction that he "spent many years listening to these old stories, and researching the journals of Arctic explorers from long ago." However, readers are not made privy to his actual research, as a bibliography or list of sources is not included. An ending note urges readers to "study Inuit oral history and talk to the people who have lived in the Arctic for generations." A pronunciation guide breaks down the Inuktitut words previously featured in the text. Arnaktauyok's captivating illustrations, rendered primarily in brown with touches of gray, blue, and green, add to the eerie tone. Readers who are drawn to tales of cryptids, giants, and fantastical beasts will enjoy perusing the pages of this well-designed volume. VERDICT A brief introduction to Inuit mythology for folktale collections.—Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH

School Library Journal