The Shaman Who Became Many Animals

"Long ago there was a great shaman. He wanted to live the life of animals."

How did Inuit come to know so much about Arctic animals? Follow a shaman as he is reborn as a polar bear, a ringed seal, and more to learn about what each animal teaches him. Through simplified text and engaging illustrations, young readers are sure to enjoy this adaptation of a traditional story.

This stunningly illustrated bilingual picture book serves as an early-level introduction to the rich, mysterious world of Inuit mythology. Adapted by author and linguist Jaypeetee Arnakak with the intention of teaching Inuktitut as a second language, The Shaman Who Became Many Animals can be enjoyed by Inuktitut language learners and curious young readers alike.

Discover other traditional stories in our collection! The Story of the Lemming and the Owl, The Story of the Loon and the Raven, and The Story of the Fox and the Wolf are all available.

Jaypeetee Arnakak is a linguist, translator, and educator. He spent many years as a policy analyst specializing in Inuit culture, language and education issues. He is the editor of Unikkaaqtuat Qikiqtaninngaaqtut, a collection of thirty-three versions of traditional stories, transcribed and edited from oral recordings of ten Inuit elders from two High Arctic communities, Arctic Bay and Igloolik. He has also adapted several traditional Inuit stories into children's storybooks.

Sigmundur Thorgeirsson is an Icelandic Illustrator living in Toronto. He studied Drawing at The Reykjavik School of Visual Arts in Iceland and then Illustration with emphasis on Entertainment at Laguna College of Art and Design in California, USA. When not Illustrating books he can be found making indie games and picking up his dog's poop.

Tindur Peturs is an animator and illustrator, born and raised in Iceland, who moved to Canada to study animation and Canadian culture. They have a love for nature, animals, and the power of storytelling.