"I had written her story and drawn her again and again, but this little girl I knew so well did not have a name. Then I came across the Inuit name Immi and knew it was right for her. It was only much later that I found out Immi is short for Immiayuk, meaning echo, a word that seems very fitting for this story." - Karin Littlewood, author and illustrator of Immi's Gift
Alone in a frozen white land, Immi breaks a hole in the ice to fish for her supper.
Having already caught a few fish, she thought she try to get one more--in case anyone comes around (which they hardly did).
Much to her surprise, Immi finds a painted little wooden bird at the end of her fishing line. This delightful discovery leads Immi to find more colorful items at the end of her line--a red flower, a purple feather, a green leaf and an orange starfish.
Soon, Immi's igloo was the brightest thing in the land!
Immi's Gift, written and illustrated by British watercolorist Karin Littlewood, conveys an unusual tale of a solitary girl finding a host of colorful objects through her frozen fishing hole. Inspired by these unexpected items, Immi then drops her own beloved pendant--a white bear from her necklace--into the icy water.
What results is a cross-cultural exchange--albeit a bit fantastical one--that inspires wonderment in both children and adults alike.
This book would make a delightful gift for children; rather than a straightforward tale (like most children's books), Immi's Gift (Peachtree Publishers) invites speculation and conversation, which would make it a great book for parents or caregivers and children to share together.
For example, why is Immi alone? Where are her parents? How does she survive the arctic conditions? Where might she, and the little boy, live in the world?
Beautifully painted by veteran artist (but first-time author) Littlewood, the gentle story of Immi's Gift would make a wonderful addition to any child's library.
-- Janet Boyer
