• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

For many days, there had been no food in the Inuit camp where Brother and Little Sister lived . . . They had set out early that morning, hoping to find some food they could bring back to share with their people."

Sister Lightning and Brother Thunder are children at play, dancing across the great arctic sky in this touching story about the search for a home.

Returning to camp, the children find their people have left without them. Through the long, cold night, they huddle near a fire and talk into the night. Unable to decide which of their animal cousins they should stay with while they wait for the return of their people, the children decide to live amongst the stars instead. Their journey to the sky is a homecoming in which they rediscover the beauty of play.

Orphans in the Sky is a moving account of the courage and loyalty experienced by two lonely orphans who find a home in the sky.

Born in the United States, Jeanne Bushey, along with her husband and two daughters, set out for Iqualuit in 1973 and later moved to Yellowknife. She has been a kindergarden teacher and also has an interest in drama. Jeanne has written several children's, including; The Polar Bear's Gift, Orphans in the Sky and Holiday Hang-Ups (an activity guide). Although she has now moved to coastal British Columbia, she hopes to keep the events of her life in the Arctic alive in her writing for years to come.

Jeanne Bushey's profile page

Vladyana Krykorka has illustrated and designed over 30 books for children. Her work has received numerous awards, including the Toronto Public Library’s recognition of Baseball Bats for Christmas as one of the 100 best children’s books of all time. In the last two years she has conducted art workshops in several Quebec Arctic communities, working with Inuit teachers in the creation of their own books and class materials, as well as textile printmaking techniques.

Vladyana Krykorka's profile page

"Gently told in a clear, matter-of-fact language that's always welcome. . . . Krykorka's vibrant illustrations are highlights of the book."
-- Quill & Quire

"Shimmering, surreal, colour illustrations."
-- Globe & Mail