Review Detail

'The Walrus and the Caribou' by Maika Harper, illustrated by Marcus Cutler, is an endearing tale of creation, based on a traditional Inuit story passed along through the generations through oral retellings in communities across the Arctic. Both the walrus and the caribou are shown how they were “originally” created, and then it is made clear how the decision was made to give them different parts to make them the creatures they are in the present day. It's always interesting to consider how ideas can change over time. The way that something starts out might be very different than where it ends up, and so goes the tale of the walrus and the caribou.

A little woman named Guk is the one responsible for breathing life into the world in this story. Her breath is the key to the animals' creation, and she takes her job seriously, noting how the different parts of the animals might be better served on the opposite creature.

For those who enjoy tales of creation and innovation, 'The Walrus and the Caribou' is the book for you.