Maakusie Loves Music

Jaaji, who is Inuk and Mohawk, and June, who is Métis—both musicians who perform together as Canadian indie rock duo Twin Flames—frame this history of music in the Arctic via Inuk child narrator Maakusie. Underlining the way music in the arctic regions has changed quickly, the child discusses how their anaanatsiak was raised with traditional Inuit music, including katajjaniq (throat singing), ajaja (songs about hunting and community life), and playing the qanirvalauti (jaw harp). Beats next highlight how settlers and, later, new technology changed the music in each region. Foregrounding landscapes and figures, Campeau’s illustrations add vibrancy to the text’s educational lean, which incorporates an English translation and pronunciation guide for italicized Inuttitut words on each page. A glossary concludes this book about tradition, change, and how “music is a language all on its own.... It helps us to communicate and understand each other.” Ages 7–9. (July)