I Would Give You My Tail

In this gently reflective picture book, an Inuk boy journeys to his grandmother’s home to inform her of his mother’s impending labor, en route asking various creatures “why they are so happy.” As young Kalluk travels, he encounters two munching rabbits, who respond that “they love to be fast and love to be clever.” One speaks too of the happiness brought about by shielding the other from the winter wind; the second replies, “I would give you my tail if I could.” Asking the same question of a laughing brook, a skulk of playing foxes, and more, Kalluk moves on from each interaction feeling thankful—for his food, represented by memories of rabbit stew; for fresh water, represented by the brook. In layered prose, Inuk author Tagaq (It Bears Repeating) subtly models themes of interconnection and thanking the natural world for gifts received. Spare, fine-lined illustrations from Manumie, making his picture book debut, retain colored pencil textures as the child makes his way home and, in a stirring moment smartly rendered, begins to pass the lessons he’s learned on to his new sibling: “I would give you my tail if I could.” Includes an Inuktitut translation and pronunciation guide. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)