Odile Nelson

Moe & Malaya Visit the Nurse is a very unique addition to our family library. Published by Inhabit Media, this is the first children's picture book we've ever seen that is bi-lingual, in both English and Inuktitut. Nunavut is one of Canada's northern territories, and Inuktitut is the language of the First Nations people there. Written it is an iconographic language, and very interesting to read!

Originally written in English by Odile Nelson (a resident of Iqualuit, Nunavut's capital city), it has been translated into Inuktitut by Louise Flaherty, an educator and advocate of Inuktitut literacy. The Inuktitut is on the top of each page, with the English beneath it. Not only does this bilingual picture book capture the language of Canada's north in print, but it also captures the setting and surroundings through the text and illustrations. Some Inuktitut words are transliterated for English readers within the text so that we can get a taste of the language as well.

So, right off the get-go Moe & Malaya has piqued my interest and is worth of inclusion in educational libraries just because of the bi-lingual, multi-cultural aspect, but the story itself is also delightful! My two-year-old keeps bringing it to me so I'll read it to her, and my four and seven-year olds enjoy it as well. Moe and Malaya are two early-elementary aged neighbours (and cousins) who take a trip to the community nurse together. While there they learn about nursing as a career choice and the subjects they should focus on if they want to pursue a career in nursing. This is so fun! We get authentic northern culture and setting along with a sort of `what do you want to be when you grow up' storyline.

Peggy Collins provides watercolor and pen artwork that are cartoon-inspired yet entirely culturally appropriate. The facial features, architecture, infrastructure, and clothing are all wonderfully authentic. One distraction was that some of the under drawings didn't seem to be entirely erased, as though the lines had been too dark to begin with, so some faint traces of then could be seen through the paintings. As an adult, I found this a bit distracting, but my children didn't notice.

The story is charming and engaging with lively and memorable characters - especially Moe! I'm so glad we've had the opportunity to share this story together as a family.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com… (plus d'informations)