Immi

A lonely Inuit girl fishing through a hole in the ice hooks not a fish but a tiny, colourful wooden bird which she ties to her necklace. The following day she snags a veritable shoal of colourful catches – flowers, feathers, leaves, shells, starfish, even a butterfly. Soon, her igloo is aglow with her trophies attracting visitors from far and wide and her once long, lonely nights are filled with tales of distant shores. With the spring comes the thaw and it’s time to leave but, before departing, Immi drops her own polar bear necklace through the ice hole to start on its own journey to faraway shores.

Much of the mood of the story is conveyed through the glowing watercolour illustrations which radiate warmth and tenderness. In contrast, the text is appropriately plain and restrained allowing room for readers to reflect upon what is shown in the pictures. Despite its stark, chilly setting, this gentle tale is truly heart-warming and has something to say to listeners and readers of all ages.