Inuit Story Within a Story

This book shares a traditional Inuit tale in a story-within-a-story format. We learn of a young boy who is going to cross the water with his grandfather so they can trade. On the way there, when they emerge from fog, they see a lot of what they call sea-parrots, but we would call Atlantic puffins. Once they reach the shore and settle in, the grandfather relates the story of how these sea-parrots got there. It's a tale of magic and inhospitable peoples. There is an old lame fisherman who discovers Fish-boy one day when his catch is not going so well. Fish-boy is part fish and part boy (as his name suggests), and he asks the fisherman if he can be his son. The old fisherman states that an armless boy would be of little use to him, but Fish-boy is determined to prove his worth. And he does. He is able to find some of the biggest fish, which then the fisherman can catch. They become well known within their village for the large number of fish they catch, and this becomes more widely known. When the chief on another island wants Fish-boy to visit, they ultimately decide to, and it does not go well. He enchants the villagers, but crowds cause people to get injured. Fish-boy and the old fisherman are blamed for this, even though it was the people's own ill-advised actions that caused the trouble. They move on to another place where they are treated even less well, with a lot of suspicion; these people even break up their boats. Fish-boy leads those that came with him and the old fisherman to the sea, where they turn into puffins and return to their village; they turn back into what they are. While the magic is in the air, some people from the last inhospitable place they also turn into puffins. These puffins never turn back into men and become the basis for the puffins seen in the other part of the story.

This book has lots of little lessons in it: the wisdom of grandparents, the perils of a lack of hospitality, and unusual abilities of the differently abled as well as exploring how fear can impact people, especially a mob. The illustrations in this remind me of Inuit art, appropriately. The inside of the front and back covers show a map of the area discussed, which always helps a reader visualize something that takes place in a particular area. In the back of the book, the author provides longer descriptions of some Inuit words and descriptions of some of the areas. All in all, I thought this was a beautifully illustrated book that taught several lessons. This is certainly longer than the average picture book, and I imagine it would be best if it is read to a younger child, though an early reader who has an interest in this story could probably sustain her or his interest long enough to get to the end. Recommended.

I love this book, from the heartwarming story, the educational value, but what really sells it for me are the gorgeous colourful illustrations that really bring the tale to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Folklores are wonderful gateways into the world of different cultures. They carry the morals, beliefs and ethos of an entire community.

Fish Boy is a folklore of the Inuits, which is being retold in this gorgeous picture book. The way this makes an Inuit folklore accessible to English readers worldwide is laudable.

The illustrations , especially of those underwater scenes, are breathtakingly beautiful. The bright use of colours makes this book attractive to young readers.

This book tells the story of Tukmeuk and how his relationship with a "fish boy" changes his life forever. It teaches love, acceptance and respect for all creatures and the natural world.

A charming inuit legend, this tale about a fish-boy and his father will warm your heart and the artwork is simply stunning. I really enjoyed this one. There was even a glossary in the back for difficult words and a list of possible topics for discussion as well as a map. Very well done.

Fish-Boy is inuit folklore, retelled by Vanita Oelschlager. I find the designs very captivating but story is a bit complicated and dry, specially the beginning. It is not a comforting faery tale, therefore requires older audience. But the pictures are amazing and this book can be bought just to look at.

Since it introduces different cultures, it might make a curious child happy.

The Fish Boy is a story about a boy who faces the odds of being different. It’s a great conversation started for how everyone is different but special, too. Also, the illustrations are beautiful!

This is about a tale happening in the arctic with a nice journey and story about Inuits, arctic animal, folklore and a fishboy. Really well done and educative too. Enjoyed the pictures and even if it’s serious which mean for older kids than toddlers. Your kids will love it because they will be transport somewhere else.

Fish Boy is a fascinating folk tale that I enjoyed reading but the prose was incredibly dry and it was incredibly wordy for a book aimed at young readers.
The illustrations were nice to look at and complimented the story which highlights that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and the importance of kindness.

There's nothing in the story that would have stopped me reading it to my son when he was much younger (three-seven ish) but it would have required a lot of explaining at times and I'm not sure it would have held his attention sufficiently in order to read it in one sitting. However, his nine-year-old self enjoyed it.

A beautifully illustrated children's story, "Fish-Boy" as told by Vanita Oelschlager is an Inuit tale. It is the story of Fish-Boy, half fish half boy, who upon being fished by a man, seeks to be the man's son and helps him find the best fish in the water. Word of Fish-Boy and his father spreads, and other villages want Fish Boy to come and help them with their fishing. On his journey, Fish-Boy encounters people who treat him wrongfully because he is different and seek to get rid of what they do not understand.

I really enjoyed the story and the beautiful illustrations. I have taught lower-elementary school and as I was reading the story to myself I could definitely see it in my classroom. It is a great conversation starter with children about hospitality, how to treat people that are different from us, and the relationship humans have with nature. "Fish-Boy" would make a great addition to a classroom library and, to my own child's library when she reaches the appropriate age.

„Fish Boy“ is the retelling of an Inuit tale for children. It is particularly nice that the book uses a style that one can imagine being used to transmit a story orally. The art is very fitting as well. Plus the book contains puffins, which is everything a book really needs.

First off, I love the illustrations. I also love the folktale. It tells so many lessons to children like being hospitable to guests. I also commend the notes at the end of the story that can make kids understand it more.

I received an e-ARC of this book from Vanita Oelschlager through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this beautifully illustrated Inuit Folk tale about fish boy. I love reading stories from other cultures and this one did not disappoint. This would be a great book to read to students during history or social studies.

Fish-Boy is a lovely Inuit folk take with beautiful illustrations depicting winterland and Inuits. I personally liked the illustrations. The story is beautiful. The book talks a lot about Inuit life, how they survive in extreme conditions, the environment they live in. It talks about spreading kindness and love. Parents can also locate the islands in a map and discuss about the human characteristics as well as physical characteristics.

Beautifully illustrated and a fun magical folk story about the seas of Alaska for advanced readers. I loved the page that helped with definitions of new worlds related to the region.

I am a big fan of Vanita Oelschlager's book and this one did not disappoint.

Telling the story of how a young fish boy with no arms was able to help a fisherman and find acceptance amongst the village, this was a really beautiful story. As always with Oelschlager's books, it is beautifully illustrated and a true joy to turn each page and find more to enjoy.

This book skews slightly older than other Oelschlager books that I have read and is probably more appropriate for independent readers however it could easily be enjoyed together and read aloud with a little more time.

Th book was a good read. I enjoyed reading the folktale. I love reading stories from other cultures. I would recommend this book to any elementary school teacher. The illustrations were wonderful.

This was a very interesting book, with really soft, beautiful illustrations. It tells a great story and Ada really liked it. We liked reading something a little different, and this really hit the mark. It was wonderful for her to learn about folktales from other parts of the world, to really explore. Definitely a great book.

Fish-boy is a story within a story. We start on a journey to some islands and then are told the story of Fish-Boy and how there came to be so many sea parrots. I was worried about the length of the story but honestly it is so engrossing that it ended up being a quick read. The story is interesting and engaging, while the illustrations compliment the text beautifully. I do love the illustrations, they are bright, bold, and feel authentic towards the story. I appreciate that the end pages also include information about details from the story, it really brings it into the present. I believe that this would be a great read for students as part of a lesson or for plain, pure enjoyment.

I really enjoyed this Inuit folk tale about a acceptance and kindness. This is my first Inuit folk tale, and I found it very interesting and thought provoking. The illustrations were beautiful, and the story was imaginative. I think that children will really enjoy such a unique story, and learn a lot from it. While the story teaches about Inuit culture and arctic environments, it also gives lessons on empathy and tradition. A very worthwhile read.

Thanks to Vanita Books and NetGalley for this free ARC in return for my honest review. Myths, fables and legends are part of all cultures and this is my first reading of an Inuit myth and this childrens book does a great job in teaching kids the lesson and morals of this Inuit story. I also think that the illustrations really match the story, sometimes illustrations can either be too much or not enough, but in his book they really hit the mark. This is the story as to why the sea-parrots (a/k/a puffins) came to be so plentiful in the Inuit islands. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of love, trust, and human anger and jealously.