Telling the story of one family’s experience of Inuit custom adoption, Nala’s Magical Mitsiaq is the first title in the Community imprint from Inhabit Media, which involves members of the Nunavummiut community in the conception and development of its titles.

Qiatsuk and Nala are young sisters excited by the promise of sledding with their Ataata (father) in the morning. As their Anaana (mother) tucks them in, she sings a song describing how “Qiatsuk grew in my belly, while Nala grew in my heart.” When a blizzard forces them to cancel their plans and stay home, Nala asks her mother what that lyric means. Their mother explains that Qiatsuk is her birth daughter and Nala was brought into the family via custom adoption, a traditional Inuit practice that sees birth parents place their children with other families in the community. An open process, birth parents and other relatives often stay involved in the child’s life.

Author Jennifer Noah bases her story on her own experience of welcoming a daughter through custom adoption, and her connection to the subject matter is evident in her warm, sensitive delivery. Qin Leng’s illustrations, featuring bright colours and plenty of movement, complement the upbeat tone of the narrative.

This is a book that does more than simply explain an aspect of Inuit culture – it celebrates it. Noah’s use of child-friendly imagery and the reassuring message of equal acceptance and love for both children will resonate with readers of any background, while the liberal use of Inuktitut words honours the author’s heritage.