Tanna’s Puppy

Tanna’s Puppy is the third installment of authors Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley’s acclaimed series of children’s books that explore Rachel’s childhood experiences with Arctic animals.

Training dogs has been a strong Inuit tradition for generations. Sled dogs in Inuit communities are valued working animals with a clear and important purpose. Tanna has always known that dogs are not pets. They are not meant to live in houses. Then one day, Tanna is given a puppy to raise as a pet. Dandy is the cutest pup she has ever seen, but Tanna knows her father will not let her keep Dandy as a pet. She eventually convinces her father to let Dandy into the house, just as a test, to see if she can become a good pet. It’s a test that Dandy seems unable to pass--she chews Father’s tools and the family’s caribou skin clothing; she jumps in the frigid Arctic water and nearly freezes. Finally Father decides Dandy will need to learn to be a sled dog after all, and he and Tanna take Dandy on a trip with the other sled dogs. While out on the land, the family encounters a danger that threatens Tanna’s life. Dandy wastes no time in jumping in to protect her owners. Will Dandy’s love for her owners win Father over to having a dog as a pet?

A heartwarming tale of the unique realities of Northern life and the changing definitions of what it means to be a family.

Praise for the Tanna’s Animals series!

＂Based on Burt Award-winning, Inuit-Cree author Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley’s childhood memories of growing up on Baffin Island, this outstanding picture book shares essential teachings on the importance of responsibility, patience, and respect.＂--★ Quill & Quire, Starred Review

＂Tanna’s Owl by Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang (Inhabit Media, 5-7) perfectly captures the sense of connection between the Inuit and the Arctic environment they live in.＂-- The Globe and Mail

Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley was born at the northernmost edge of Baffin Island, in the Canadian Arctic. She grew up learning traditional survival lore from her father. She and her husband Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley were brought together by a love of nature and each other. They write Arctic speculative fiction and nonfiction for various ages.

Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley was born at the southernmost edge of Ontario, learning woodcraft from his father. He and his wife Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley were brought together by a love of nature and each other. They write Arctic speculative fiction and nonfiction for various ages.

Michelle Simpson is a professional illustrator & designer based out of the Niagara Region. Michelle graduated with a BAA in Illustration from Sheridan College and now works as a full-time freelance illustrator. She has worked as a concept artist at KeyFrame Animation for kids cartoons such as Ollie: The Boy Who Became What He Ate (season 2) and Tee and Mo (season 1).