I Am Loved

As he wonders what may lie ahead, Pakak holds on mightily to his teddy bear. He’s just moved in with a foster family and feels afraid of the unknown, although he soon discovers that it isn’t so terrible after all. He spends a day sledding in the snow and munches on delicious Chinese food for dinner. When darkness does threaten to overcome him, he remembers the words of his anaanattiaq (grandmother) when she whispered in his ear: “Naglingniq qaikautigijuannaqtuq maannakautigi!” In their native Inuit language it means “Love can travel anywhere in an instant!” These words assure him he’s loved, even if from a distance.

This is a thoughtful tale about a young boy who longs for home. He deeply misses his mother, whose picture sits beside his bed, serving as a reminder of the life he knew before their separation. Youngsters who’ve experienced loss will be touched by his story. Children aged five to nine who are empathetic as to the adversities of others will be profoundly heartened by it too. I Am Loved is an ideal book for promoting meaningful dialogue in early elementary school classrooms as well as providing insights into the Inuit culture and language.