This book is very moving and highly recommended. I really enjoyed the story of a boy who can't get over the loss of his dog and wants revenge. He finds revenge isn't the best way to deal with loss and discovers more interesting things about life.

As an early childhood music educator I am always looking for books that can be read adding 'musical sound color' to enhance the story. This is one beautifully simple but graceful story. Not only are the illustrations wonderful and capturing but the simple story lends itself to magical glistening snow accompaniment and many types of instruments. I have shared this book with young children, older children who have made a simple musical from it and also colleagues at schools who enjoy a good recommendation. This book sits proudly on my oversized bookshelves and I take it out regularly.

I think this book teaches some valuable lessons about hate and revenge, but these lessons are lost on younger children (under 6 or so). My 3-year-old's preschool teacher read this book to him, and all he retained was the image of a wolf that can bite another creature to death and a little boy, like himself, who is not big enough to kill the wolf. Be sure of your audience before sharing this story with younger children.

I have used the story of ATUK in pre-k and kdg. classes. It is full of imagery and warmth. The story tells, through the experiences of an Inuit boy, about forgiveness and appreciation of life. I strongly recommend it for the high interest, the lovely prose, and the amazing artwork.