Description

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In the Arctic, before winter gives way to buds and flowers, breakup occurs--the moment when the ice of a frozen river suddenly breaks apart in a spectacular sight-and-sound show. Massive chunks of ice crunch and pound against one another, pushing their way down river towards the sea. '"That river will come to visit us today," said Kumak. The water starts rising. It spills out of the river banks, up over the sandy beach, and begins flowing up past the fish racks and boats. As the waters sweep through his village, Kumak and his family take refuge on the roof of his house. "Look " said Kumak's wife, "There goes Uncle Aglu's oil drum." "Look " said Kumak's wife's mother, "There goes Aana Lulu's fish tubs and net floats " "Look " said Kumak's sons and daughters, "There goes Little Nate's basketball "' Just as Kumak and his family are feeling all is lost, "just like someone pulled a plug in a bathtub", the water recedes. "Just in time " shout the villagers. "What has the river done with our things "'In an effort to recover as many of their belonging as possible, Kumak and the village practice the value of community and working together. In this light-hearted, playful adventure, the villagers show respect for nature's immense power as Kumak brings them together to rescue their supplies, toys, household goods, and, finally, Kumak's dogs. Through lively art, humorous text, and informative endnotes, author Michael Bania conveys authentic details on Inupiat village life and provides young readers with a fascinating window into another culture as the life of hapless, yet lovable Kumak continues. Bania's first book, KUMAK'S HOUSE was a 2003 Children's Book Council Notable Trade Book in Social Studies. Her second book, KUMAK'S FISH was a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, 2005 Children's Book Council. Both books were chosen for the Alaska Association of School Libraries "Battle of the Books" for First Grade. KUMAK'S FISH was an honor book for the first Wanda G g Read Aloud Book Award.

About the Author

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For almost twenty years, Michael Bania lived above the Arctic Circle. While residing in various Inupiat villages, she actively participated in the local culture and developed an understanding and respect for a distinct way of life. Here she met her husband, raised a family, and taught the children who would become the inspiration for Kumak and his tall tales from the far north. Art and illustration is a big part of Michael's life. She wrote and illustrated her first children's book at age six. Today she maintains her studio in Southeast Alaska.

Praise For…

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Kumak’s River. Iñupiat villagers cope with a flood in a cheery tale that’s not so much “Tall” as it is Wet. Watching the river ice break up after eight frozen months, papa Kumak comments to his family, “As sure as seagulls return in spring, that river will come to visit us today.” Indeed it does—as Kumak and his neighbors watch from the roofs of their stilt-based homes, the water rises behind a temporary jam to carry away the village’s oil drums, fish tubs, net floats and toys, as well as the boat into which Kumak has herded his motley pack of dogs. The river doesn’t “visit” long, though, and once the dam breaks up, everyone climbs down to help one another successfully recover their strayed goods and animals. The Alaskan author draws from her own experiences to tell the lightly patterned tale, and she illustrates it with bright watercolor scenes replete with frisky dogs and smiling people (the latter in modern dress). There is some brief drama, but it's less a tale of hardship or survival than a celebration of the season’s turn and an authentic glimpse of life in northwestern Alaska.  A valuable, loving look at an often-overlooked culture. (afterword) (Picture book. 5-7).    ---Kirkus Reviews 7-26-2012

”The story is told in spare yet rhythmic prose, with the repeated refrain of "Just in time!" adding structure. . . The line and watercolor art is jaunty and appealing, with teeming vignettes of people and stuff contrasting with the wide open skies and broad blue river. A float-ringed thumbnail "window" cleverly provides an ongoing dog-cam that follows the exploits of the drifting dogs as the family waits for the waters to subside. With a style that's suitable for reading alone or reading aloud one on one, this is an unusual adventure that will intrigue many young residents of the lower 48.” 
---Deborah Stevenson, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Vol. 66. No. 2, October 2012

"The cheery line and watercolor vistas of smiling Iñupiat, dogs, and gulls enjoying their adventure amid pounding ice and deep blue water are a fine match for the well-paced text. For anyone in the lower forty-eight who has suffered from extreme weather and its consequences, the depiction of people thriving in harmony with a natural environment that both challenges and sustains them offers plenty of room for discussion.”
—Joanna Rudge Long, Horn Book Magazine