• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Niitu and Chips are two best friends, one of whom just happens to be a seal. In this collection of comic strips, Niitu and Chips tackle everything from building the perfect fort to video games to how to eat only the marshmallows out of the breakfast cereal without Mom noticing.

Witty and heartwarming, these strips illustrate the ups and downs of childhood as seen through the eyes of a creative kid and his seal best buddy. Written in the sweet and silly tradition of Calvin and Hobbs, this collection is sure to cheer kids and adults alike.

Jaypeetee Arnakak is an Inuit linguist (one of only two Inuit linguists in Canada), and Inuit educator. Most of Jaypetee's career has been about the Inuit language. At Nunavut Tunngavik and later at Qikiqtani Inuit Association, he served as an Inuit Language and Education policy analyst and engaged in Inuit language and education discourse at the regional, territorial, and national levels as an analyst, commentator and advocate for Inuit language and education rights. He has also worked for the Nunavut Arctic College as an Adult Basic Education instructor, an Inuit Language instructor, and as an instructor for the Interpreter/Translator Program. He currently works full-time for Inhabit Education, Toronto Office, as a Senior Inuit Language Advisor and is involved in Nunavut curriculum development and as a designer/deliverer of Inuit language courses. He was also recently appointed as an executive director for NBES.

Babah Kalluk's profile page

"Young children will enjoy reading the book or having it read to them. They will be able to relate to some of Niitu’s behaviours and appreciate the Inuit influence in some of the illustrations which include Arctic scenery and Chips, an Arctic seal."—CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Niitu and Chips by Babah Kalluk is a delightful comic strip story designed for children in grades 4 to 7. Through engaging visuals and playful narratives, the comic explores a range of topics from playing video games to enjoying outdoor adventures and savouring marshmallows. It is crafted to enhance literacy skills in young readers aged 9 to 12, integrating English Language Arts concepts in a format that appeals to all ages.

The story follows the escapades of Niitu and Chips, two endearing characters who navigate everyday experiences with curiosity and humor. Each comic strip is a vibrant blend of storytelling and visual artistry, aiming to captivate young minds while fostering a love for reading and learning.
This comic strip series serves as an engaging educational tool, promoting literacy development and critical thinking in an accessible and enjoyable format for early readers.

David D., Indigenous Educator & Administrator, Indigenous Books for Schools