Charlie and the Blanket Toss

By Tricia Brown and Sarah Martinsen

Charlie loves to watch his relatives and friends get thrown high in the air during the traditional Inupiat blanket toss. But secretly, he's afraid to try it himself. At the Whaling Festival, he's ready to step up and overcome his fears. Warm humor and good energy fill the pages in this inspiring story while authentic details of Alaska Native life are shared to anchor the story in place. Glowing illustrations depict Charlie’s family and village friends as they prepare for the big celebration while action scenes capture the excitement and spirit of the Festival. Exhilarating moments are expressed in the text with fun to read aloud phrases that little ones will enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
• Release date: Sep 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941821312

Tricia Brown

Brown is a writer, editor, freelancer, program and book developer, journalist, quilter, mother, grandmother and wife. Her work has been nationally honored for compassionate, insightful depictations of Alaska natives and for children's literature. She began her award-winning literary career in journalism, and in 1984 was the founding editor of 'Heartland"", the Sunday magazine of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Later she wrote for the Anchorgae Daily News, then shifted into editing the popular monthly magazine Alaska, with a readership of more than a quarter million. She holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Book preview

Yay-hey-hey!!

Charlie heard his father’s happy shout. He knew what it meant: a whale had given itself to the people!

Today the whaling crew’s flag would fly over the captain’s house—our house! Charlie thought—as a sign to the whole village. Good news! Our crew was successful!

Every family in the village would enjoy some fresh boiled whale meat and maktak•, the skin and blubber.

• MUCK-tuck

Charlie hopped in place and clapped as Dad pulled Mom into the folds of his hunting parka. Then Charlie threw himself in to join the hug. Suddenly, he was shouting, too, as his father tossed