Description
Hurry Up, Ilua! is a 32-page colour picture book from the Inhabit Junior series, published by Inhabit Media. First time author and illustrator Nola Helen Hicks, teacher, writer, and artist living in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, has created a charming picture book about a ground squirrel family preparing for hibernation. Ilua and her little sister Ivavaa are taking their time watching the family of siksiks (Arctic ground squirrels) are scurrying about picking the last of the berries, collecting lichen and Arctic cotton in preparation for the long winter ahead. Mother squirrel is always telling Ilua to hurry as her daughter just seems to take her time performing any assigned task. Ilua and her little sister go off on their own to pick a few more berries. In the meantime the first snows have begun and Ilua and her sister find they are lost. With little sister tucked safely inside her parka, Ilua asks several creatures if they know where the family den is located. By now the weather has turned into a blizzard. Finally the pair ask a wolf. Believing a meal of ground squirrels will be found, the wolf agrees to help. The wolf begins digging in the snow as Ilua realizes her home and family is under attack. She quickly scurries down the tunnel to her family burrow and is soon reunited with her family. Ilua and her sister are welcomed home and Ilua promises to work quickly when her mother tells her to hurry up. Ilua has learned there are consequences one procrastinates. The delightful illustrations add to the narrative and the book contains a helpful pronunciation guide. A fine introduction to the Arctic for southern preschool and kindergarten students.