The Ferry to Aanaa

In this lyrical ode to summertime family reunions and Inuit traditions, Ceci braves two days of seasickness knowing she’ll step off the ferry into her grandmother’s arms.

A heartwarming picture book celebrates heritage, oral storytelling, unconventional road trips, and the joys of meeting up again with someone you love. There are many things that Ceci loves about traveling in the summer to visit Aanaa—the way her grandmother sings to the radio, or measures Ceci’s arms for a hand-knit sweater, or tells stories of the olden days while kneading sweet dough full of raisins. The only problem is the two-day ferry ride to get there, when Ceci’s churning stomach makes her miss out on the fun with the other kids on board. Luckily, Ceci’s family makes a stop at the home of Dad’s cousin, where she learns the story of the legendary hunter Alungmiu, who was able to endure difficult journeys because the destination made his heart burst with happiness. In the morning, on the ferry, Ceci and Dad enjoy an unforgettable sunrise together, knowing that Aanaa’s town is just one stop away. The author’s endnote recalls her own summers as a child in Greenland, where the lack of roads between towns meant traveling by ferry to visit family, a situation that is still a reality today.