In My Anaana’s Amautik

Inuit writer Sammurtok details the pleasures of riding in an amautik—the Inuktitut word for “the pouch in the back of a woman’s parka where a baby can be carried”—a conveyance limited to very small children. Her calming bedtime litany dwells on the warmth and security the garment offers: “In my anaana’s amautik, it feels soft.... I love curling up inside.” More stanzas ring small changes on the theme, invoking all the senses—the warmth of anaana’s skin, her scent, the sound of her laughter, and the message delivered by this safe place: “I feel loved.” Lishchenko’s artwork, in light-filled, sun-bleached scenes, convey the delicate beauty of the Arctic—a spray of flowers growing up from a pile of stones, the white fluff of blooms gone to seed. Just right for bedtime, it’s an intimate tale that celebrates simple warmth and comfort. Ages up to 3. [em](Apr.) [/em]