Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the World - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1897349262 ISBN 13: 9781897349267

Publisher: Owlkids, 2008

Synopsis

Inuksuk Journey is a visually stunning chronicle of Mary Wallace’s summer trip to the Arctic, inspired by her long-held fascination with the ancient Inuit symbol of the inuksuk, or stone marker. Wallace's trek took her through the land in a way few people will ever experience, and her "you-are-there" journal, illustrated with photographs, sketches, and artifacts, includes dramatic encounters with Arctic wildlife, tales of hunting, fishing, and living off the land, and accounts of visiting undisturbed relics of Inuit life dating back thousands of years. Thirteen paintings each inspired by a different day of the artist's journey richly depict the region's land, sea, sky, wildlife, and people. The knowledge Wallace gains from her Inuit guides allows deep insight into the various forms of the inuksuk and its many purposes. An engaging, gorgeous mix of travel journal and art book, Inuksuk Journey offers a memorable portrait in words and pictures of one of the world's last remaining true wildernesses.

About this title

About the Author

MARY WALLACE has spent almost 20 years teaching arts and art education to children and adults. She has written and illustrated over a dozen books for children and has received many awards and nominations, including a National Outdoor Book Award for The Inuksuk Book. She lives in St. Thomas, ON.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up—Nunavut, an Arctic territory in northern Canada, is a cold, open space where inuksuk, piles of stone in the shape of a person used to "mark a family home, welcome guests, guide travelers, and ensure safe passage," are commonly found. Wallace has developed a passion for these ancient messengers, and here she presents a journal of her weeklong trek to Inuksugassait, a place where countless numbers of the stone markers stand. The author expresses awe and respect as she connects with the land. What appeared to be a barren white expanse on day one is soon revealed to be a sacred space that has provided for the people there for thousands of years. Wallace includes personal photos, sketches, and comments that give readers an intimate portrait of life in this place. Over a dozen vibrant oil paintings depicting scenes from her journey are scattered throughout. She relates the necessity of hunting, and tells how a seal can provide clothing, food, and oil for an entire family. Polar bears, caribou, and whales are among the wildlife spotted on the journey. Readers will be fascinated by this firsthand account of true adventure.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO
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Edition details

• Publisher: Owlkids
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1897349262
• ISBN 13: 9781897349267
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Wallace Mary