The most magical things can come in tiny packages! In the Arctic, tales of tiny people who live on the land abound. This children's story follows the adventures of an orphan named Ava who is left to fend for himself by the adults in his village. One day, cold and alone, Ava stumbles upon a group of magical dwarves who finally show him how it feels to have a home of his own.
Co-authored by CBC personality Alan Neal and accompanied by Jonathan Wright's ethereal watercolour illustrations, this contemporary tale of Arctic magic will ignite the imaginations of young readers.

Neil Christopher is an educator, author, and filmmaker. He first moved to the North many years ago to help start a high school program in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. It was those students who first introduced Neil to the mythical inhabitants from Inuit traditional stories. The time spent in Resolute Bay changed the course of Neil’s life. Since that first experience in the Arctic, Nunavut has been the only place he has been able to call home. Neil has worked with many community members to record and preserve traditional Inuit stories. Together with his colleague, Louise Flaherty, and his brother, Danny Christopher, Neil started a small publishing company in Nunavut called Inhabit Media Inc., and has since been working to promote Northern stories and authors.

Neil Christopher's profile page

Alan Neal is a Canadian journalist and playwright whose first project involving the creatures of Inuit myth was on a film Neil Christopher was making in Iqaluit years ago about the demon Mahaha. Alan’s tasks then included coaching child actors, wrangling dogs, and performing the role of Grip #3. Although the film never did get finished, Alan fell in love with both the stories and the beauty of Iqaluit. He currently hosts the CBC radio program All in a Day in Ottawa, and has also hosted the programs Ontario Today, Bandwidth, and Fuse.

Alan Neal's profile page

Jonathan Wright is an illustrator and animator living in Iqaluit, Nunavut. He graduated from Sheridan College in Ontario and has illustrated for a variety of newspapers, magazines and books.

Jonathan Wright's profile page

• Honour Book for Silver Birch Express Award