History for Kids: The Eskimos And The Inuit
By: Charles River Editions
This is another excellent selection in the Charles River Editions providing comprehensive knowledge in a concise and enjoyable format. Most of us use the terms Eskimo to uniformly refer to the people who live in the harshest climates of Canada, America, Russia and Greenland, but many of them are Inuit. They are descendants of the travelers who crossed the land bridge that once connected Russia and Alaska. The editors use the term Eskimo to simplify. The Eskimos are associated with igloos, sleds, seals and dogs. This book briefly covers their origin, their history and legacy.
The word Eskimo translates to “eaters of raw meat.” Historical records prove that they traded with the Vikings in the 1100’s. By the 1500’s Europeans traded with the Eskimos living in the Arctic parts of America. In the 1800’s they traded the furs from the animals they hunted with the Europeans. But those same Europeans brought many diseases which reduced the Eskimo population. As late as the 1950’s many Eskimos continued to move from place to place, surviving by fishing and hunting and trading for things they could not make from animal bones like needles and wood. Utensils and plates were made from the bones of animals and clothing from seal and caribou. The Eskimos traveled by sled over the frozen ice and in warmer weather used boats made of caribou skin stretched over a wood frame. Some Eskimos lived in igloos during the winter but more often lived in small homes made of sod or tents made from animal skins. They lived in small family units with no formal government. Their family law was called maligait. Each member of the community was asked to think of others before himself. Each family felt it their responsibility to take care of members of the community and would be punished severely if they did not. Eskimos believe that people, animals and things all have magic powers. The sea goddess Sedna lives at the bottom of the ocean. Burial customs often involved a person laid on the ground and left face up surrounded by a ring of stones so the soul could return to nature.
After World War II, most Eskimos gave up hunting and took government jobs. Today many Eskimos work for the government in both the US and Canada. They now live in modern homes that have, radio TV and electricity. The villages are still small with a school and church. They rely on airplanes to transport food and supplies. About 50,000 Eskimos live in North America. Most speak English, though some Canadians speak French. Those Eskimos living in Greenland speak Danish and in Russia, they speak Russian. But the Eskimos still pass down the native language and customs to their children.
Children from age seven up will enjoy learning about this unique culture. There are maps, photographs and drawings which bring out the unique characteristics of these peoples. This particular edition is very well written. Children will become immersed in the story and forget that they are learning. Adults will learn a few things as well.
14 responses to “AN UNFAMILIAR CULTURE”
Monika
June 5th, 2013 at 15:26
I read and reviewed (far too early, since it’s not due out until September!) a beautiful book for younger children based on an ancient Inuit creation story by Vanita Books: http://ow.ly/lJGkx It definitely supports a point you brought up: “Eskimos believe that people, animals and things all have magic powers.”
I’ll have to look into this Charles River book! Great review.
bamauthor
June 5th, 2013 at 15:42
Hi Monika, Glad that you enjoyed the review. I will definitely look into that book when it comes out! Hope that you will consider subscribing to this blog by hitting Follow or the orange RSS feed button. Thanks for reading.
Mama Rosemary
June 5th, 2013 at 15:40
HI There, hopped over from the Kid Lit Blog Hop…. this book sounds really interesting and informative. My kids often ask about Eskimos, how they live up in the cold, what do they eat etc… So we will be reading this book for sure.
Catherine Johnson
June 5th, 2013 at 16:10
Wow, that was so interesting. I’ll try and write a poem about it and link to this post. Thanks!
bamauthor
June 5th, 2013 at 16:13
Glad that you enjoyed it Catherine….and a poem about it would be wonderful!
reshamad
June 5th, 2013 at 21:56
Hi Barbara! Thanks for sharing the excellent review on Kid Lit Blog Hop! I love a good non fiction and look like this one is a winner! Will be looking for it at the local library 🙂
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
bamauthor
June 7th, 2013 at 13:18
Yes, I hope that many libraries will want to include this book in their collections!
Julie Grasso
June 7th, 2013 at 06:19
Hi Barbara
I found that post completely fascinating. Such an interesting history and heritage. Thanks so much for linking it in to the Kid lit Blog Hop.
Cheers Julie
bamauthor
June 7th, 2013 at 12:44
Glad that you enjoyed the review, Julie. Coincidentally, I just finished reading your exciting new book, The Return to Cardamom yesterday. Good luck with it!
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
June 10th, 2013 at 02:42
Thank you for recommending this book about Inuit/Eskimo culture. Being in Canada, we grew up learning so much about their culture. I distinctly remember watching many, many documentaries about life in the North – they were so fabulous that they still stay with me to this day! Fascinating culture! Thanks for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop. 🙂
bamauthor
June 10th, 2013 at 13:54
You’re welcome. I especially love the fact that they are so committed to each other as family and community!
danielwalldammit
June 12th, 2013 at 16:29
I don’t believe the translation of Eskimo is accurate. The better scholarship points to something along the lines of ‘snowshoe trapper’.
bamauthor
June 12th, 2013 at 19:18
This is the translation given by Charles River Editors. I am not an expert in this language so I certainly can’t argue the point.
danielwalldammit
June 12th, 2013 at 19:21
Fair enough. It’s a fairly common yarn, but the term is actually from Montanais. It translates to ‘snowshoe netters.” At least that was the take found in the Handbook of North American Indians which is a pretty authoritative text, …either that or my memory is cracked.