I’m excited by the prospect of introducing children to life in the Far North with my newest children’s book, due out at the end of this summer. Charlie and the Blanket Toss is about a fun-loving little boy living in Barrow, Alaska, along the Arctic Ocean. Charlie loves learning all about his Iñupiaq heritage from his elders and teachers. And he can’t wait for the upcoming whaling festival that will feature dancing and drumming, plenty of good Native food, plus the traditional Blanket Toss. Charlie wants so badly to be tossed high into the air, too, but secretly he’s afraid. Will this be the year that he follows generations before him? Everybody else seems to think so, but he’s not so sure!
Readers, young and old, will learn the meaning and pronunciation of several Iñupiaq words in this warm story about family, tradition, and Native Alaskan culture. The wonderful illustrator is Sarah Martinsen, who lives and works in Barrow. We’re both very grateful to Fannie Akpik and Katherine Itta-Ahgeak, who were our guides in matters of Iñupiat culture and history. (Thank you so much!)
I hope you love Charlie as much as we do! You can pre-order a book at your favorite bricks-and-mortar or online bookstore even now. And we’ll be doing some special events once the book is released. I’ll keep you posted.
Dear Trisha,
I am a year 3 teacher living in Dubai who was asked to name my class after a natural landscape or landmark in North America.
Having been to Alaska myself, I named my class Glacier Bay. We have been studying the geography of Glacier Bay and comparing it to UAE/ Dubai but in our English lessons I also wanted to link our learning.
I came across your book Charlie and the Blanket Toss and loved the way it taught the children about culture and traditions along with the bravery the main character shows.
Obviously being so far away an author visit but having seen that this is something you do online I wondered if there was some way we could virtually ‘meet’ you. I’m really aware the time difference isn’t great with Alaska but if you were willing to send a video to my class (or if a video call did seem viable), I would absolute love for them to be able to share their thanks with you and have a chat about the stories they are writing based on your book.
I completely understand your time must be very precious but if there is anything you think you are able to accommodate, please do let me know.
Kindest regards,
Ms Saunders
Oh, my goodness, Ms. Saunders. I so rarely get personal messages through the website that yours was overlooked for all this time. I do apologize. Yes, if you’re interested in setting up a Zoom call, would that work for you? I’m about to hit the road for a very long road trip outside of Alaska, but I’ll be back in the second week of March. If we can meet sometime after that, it would be my pleasure. Please write me at [email protected].
Hello to the students!
Warmly,
Tricia