My Ittu: The Biggest, Best Grandpa

My Ittu: The Biggest, Best Grandpa by Laura Deal and Thamires Paredes is an ode to grandpas and their special connections with their grandchildren.

Maniq has just come home after spending time with her Ittu and she has so much to tell her mother. She tells her all about the very best parts of Ittu.

My Ittu is a beautiful book that would make a perfect gift to a grandparent from a grandchild. I love how Laura Deal makes Ittu larger than life in Maniq’s eyes because so often grandpas are like that. They seem to be able to do everything and have a knack of making time with them so magical.

I really love how the story gives readers a glimpse into what life is like in the far north. Ittu drives a snowmobile and ice fishes in the winter and he drives a boat and tells stories in the summer. They prepare mattaq together using a traditional blade, making perfect squares. I also loved all the Inuktitut words Laura Deal includes in the story as well as the pronunciation guide at the back to help non-speakers enjoy the story. It’s wonderful when we can expose readers to different cultures and languages in stories that are accessible and entertaining.

Thamires Paredes illustrations are larger than life! I just love how Ittu is so big and bold, just as Maniq describes him. Thamires Paredes captures the warmth, fun and love of a grandparent throughout the illustrations.