Berry Picking at Four Mile Bay: English Edition (Nunavummi Reading Series)
#1 in Nunavummi Reading Series
What’s inside...
A story about tradition and multi-generational relationships based on the author's life growing up in Coppermine (now Kugluktuk), reflecting on childhood memories and special moments spent with family during berry picking trips. The book features gorgeous illustrations and evocative language that immerses readers in the Arctic tundra. It emphasizes the importance of community and includes a sweet dedication to time spent with family. The author was discovered in a writer's workshop by Inhabit Education Books aimed at finding and developing Inuit authors. The illustrator, based in Toronto, has worked for multiple reputable publications and an Inuktitut glossary is included in the endpages.
Discussion points
What do you think it would feel like to pick berries in Four Mile Bay?
Which part of the adventure did you enjoy the most and why?
How do you think the characters felt during their berry picking journey?
What have you learned about teamwork from the story?
If you were to go berry picking, who would you take with you and what would you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the story’s setting, imagining themselves in the natural surroundings described in the book.
Discuss the emotions of the characters at different points in the story, asking how your child would feel in the same situations.
Highlight the importance of collaboration and ask your child about times when they have worked together with others to achieve a goal.
Use the story's themes to connect with your child’s own experiences, whether it's picking berries, experiencing nature, or participating in a group activity.
End your discussion by planning a fun, related activity, like going berry picking or creating berry-themed art.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation and Teamwork
Explanation: The children in 'Berry Picking at Four Mile Bay' work together to gather berries, demonstrating the importance of collaboration to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their day-to-day interactions, learning to work with others in school projects or shared activities at home.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Nature
Explanation: The story focuses on the beauty and bounty of the natural environment around Four Mile Bay, teaching children to appreciate and care for the world around them.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children foster a sense of responsibility towards nature, encouraging them to participate in outdoor activities and environmental conservation efforts.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The book highlights aspects of local culture through the activity of berry picking, a traditional practice in many cultures.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and explore different cultural traditions, enriching their own understanding and acceptance of diverse communities.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Berry picking is depicted as a task that requires patience and effort, qualities that are rewarded when the characters enjoy the fruits of their labor at the end.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital in teaching children the value of persistence and hard work in achieving desired outcomes, whether in academic tasks or personal projects.