Journey to the far northeast coast of Turtle Island where you will explore the community of Nunatsiavut in Raeann Brown’s debut picture book Bedtime in Nunatsiavut.

Nya always has questions for Anânak before bed, always questioning why she cannot do certain things. Anânak always responds with a gentle wondering about perhaps doing these things in her dreams and then gives her a kunik to help her drift to sleep. In her dreams, Nya transforms and travels all over Nunatsiavut.

Raeann Brown was inspired by her childhood in Nunatsiavut, particularily her dreams, to create a beautiful picture book for the children of her home community and the children of Turtle Island. I love how the story is very repetitive, creating a cozy, warm and welcoming feeling for all readers. The repetition allows the readers to predict what will happen with each turn of the page and even join in the telling of the story.

The beautiful images throughout the story exude love. Nya and Anânak sharing their cozy bedtime routine as well as the gorgeous bursts of colour each time we enter Nya’s dreams create an ethereal felling. Readers get to travel all over Nunatsiavut with Nya in her dreams, learning more about the elements that make the northeastern coast of Labrador home.

There is incredible back matter created by Rebecca Ash to further the learning and understanding of the story. There is a map of Nunatsiavut, a glossary of Inuttut words and a reading guide for parents and educators. 

A beautiful story to connect readers with the Nunatsiavut Inuit community.