Fishing with Grandma is a picture book about two children and their Grandma who go on a fishing adventure together at the lake in their community. It explores Inuit fishing tools and traditional knowledge and teachings needed to successfully go ice fishing.

The book begins by exploring how the children and their Grandma prepare for their fishing trip, including how to dress appropriately. As they head out on their adventure, Grandma teaches the children how to check the ice to make sure it is safe for fishing and how to prepare a hole for jigging. After a successful day of fishing (and catching many Arctic char), the children and Grandma return to their community to share fish they caught with other community members. The story concludes when the children and their Grandma arrive home to enjoy a meal of fried fish with their family.

Inuktitut words are used throughout the story and there is a pronunciation guide in the back of the book to support pronunciation. Themes include honouring traditional knowledge, learning from Elders, sharing in community and honouring your identity and cultural practices.

This story can be connected and used in lessons throughout the Primary and Junior grades in various curricular areas. For example, it can be used to discuss the impact of seasonal changes in the Grade 1 Science curriculum (Earth and Space Systems strand). It can also be used in Social Studies for People and Environments: Global Communities. In Grade 2, it can be used to support students’ understanding of tradition and heritage as they investigate aspects of the interrelationship between the natural environment, including the climate, of selected communities. Additionally, this story can be connected to the Language curriculum to expand students’ vocabulary and build their background knowledge in any Primary or Junior grades.

As Grandma explains, “it is important to learn traditional skills and to know how to be prepared. Knowing what to bring, where to go and what to do will help you to always have successful trips.” This story provides educators with many opportunities to engage students in learning through an interesting narrative.

Michelle McKay is a member of the Peel Occasional Teacher Local.