Nadia Sammurtok shares a traditional Inuit story for children. The story is a cautionary tale about two rabbit sisters who ignore their parents’ safety precautions. The rabbits foil the owl’s plans to eat them by pushing a boulder onto him, but the language and illustration are not violent, so it is not alarming for young readers. This would be a good way to introduce a discussion about safety and why there are rules; it could be extended to discuss why there are different rules for different places. The book could also be used as an introduction for teaching about animal adaptations (such as camouflage) and food chains.

32 pp., 8.5 × 8.5", colour illustrations

Nadia Sammurtok (Inuit) • Marcus Cutler, illus.

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Nadia Sammurtok is an Inuit writer and educator originally from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Nadia is passionate about preserving the traditional Inuit lifestyle and Inuktitut language so that they may be enjoyed by future generations. Nadia currently lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, with her family.

Nadia Sammurtok's profile page

Marcus Cutler is a freelance children's illustrator from Ontario, Canada. His work has appeared in magazines, books, apps and more and he has worked with a variety of clients including chickaDEE Magazine, OWL Magazine, Macmillan Publishers and Parks Canada. He is the illustrator of the Lark Ba Detective series, The Owl and the Two Rabbits and The Walrus and the Caribou. He lives in Tecumseh, Ontario.

Marcus Cutler's profile page

"The Owl and the Two Rabbits is an entertaining tale that will not only engage readers, but it will also indirectly teach them about Inuit culture as this story is a take on a traditional Inuit legend."—CM Magazine

"Illustrator Marcus Cutler weaves colorful, vibrant illustrations all throughout the inviting text of this story...This meaningful picture book is perfect to add to any school library or early elementary school classroom."—San Francisco Book Review

"The dark nature of the tale is mitigated by the style of illustration: Bright pastel colors cover each page, and the soft features of the owl and pink-eared rabbits alleviate some of the tension in the life-and-death struggle.This traditional Inuit story from Nunavut teaches children the importance of parental guidance—with a dash of excitement."—Kirkus Reviews

"The beauty of the landscape is captured in Cutler’s watercolor cartoon illustrations, with glowing orange-yellow sunset backgrounds. Inuk writer Sammurtok’s creative retelling brims with suspenseful pacing."—School Library Journal

"Inuk writer Nadia Sammurtok’s delightful new take on a traditional Inuit story from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut has wonderfully rambunctious illustrations by Marcus Cutler. When two little rabbit sisters decide to go play on the tundra, even though they’ve been warned not to, trouble is quick to follow! They’ll make a delicious-tasting dinner for a hungry owl and his wife unless they can find a way to escape. How they manage to trick the owls will keep young readers on the edge of their seats in this engagingly suspenseful story."—The Globe and Mail

Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools

The story is a cautionary tale about two rabbit sisters who ignore their parents’ safety precautions. The rabbits foil the owl’s plans to eat them by pushing a boulder onto him, but the language and illustration are not violent, so it is not alarming for young readers. This would be a good way to introduce a discussion about safety and why there are rules; it could be extended to discuss why there are different rules for different places. The book could also be used as an introduction for teaching about animal adaptations (such as camouflage) and food chains.

Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools