I wasn’t sure what to expect when I flew out of Ottawa, heading due north to Baffin Island last week. I had seen plenty of images of Nunavut and the Arctic on TV but they had not prepared me for the vastness and coldness of it all. Through the foggy plane window, a treeless, snow covered rocky landscape stretched as far as I could see. For miles there seemed to be nothing but rock and snow. It was both eerie and beautiful.

The coldness of the landscape is definitely made up for with the warmth of the people living in Nunavut. From the Book Week volunteers who guided me around, to the people I met on the snow-banked streets of the northern-most communities, everyone was welcoming, kind and incredibly helpful.

My talks schedule added a whirlwind pace to the week, as I averaged about four presentations at two or three locations a day. There was usually enough time for me to wander outside for about an hour before it got too dark to see or I was due to speak again. This actually worked out well, as the talks were the most rewarding part of my visit.

All across the Baffin region of Nunavut, from Iqaluit to Pond Inlet and over to Igloolik, the students I met were curious, full of life and eager to talk comics with me. Many hadn’t read Max Finder Mystery before, or my new comic Wild Ride, so it was a lot of fun introducing them to the characters and then showing them how a story idea is created, written and illustrated.

Throughout my talk, I encouraged the young people to write and draw their own stories. From the number of students who brought up their own illustrations for me to see, it’s clear Nunavut is bursting with talent.

A definite highlight of my trip was speaking to teacher candidate students and staff at Nunavut’s Arctic College. I spoke with them about the literacy value of comics and other alternative literacies (video games, CCGs, etc.) It was a great chance to engage with the teachers of tomorrow and have a lively discussion on ways to help students discover the power of reading.

After visiting the communities of Clyde River and Pond Inlet on Baffin Island, I flew across Igloolik, where I was treated to my first Arctic skidoo ride. Thanks to Nancy, Igloolik’s coolest ipod-wearing librarian, I had a bumpy, bone-chilling, but fantastically fun ride to my readings.

She even let sit on the skidoo while it warmed up!

After a week of touring, talking and meeting, it was time to go home. Weather reports were calling for a storm to blow over the Baffin region, threatening to show me how cold it really gets in the Arctic.

Thankfully, the weather took pity on my poor wimpy Ontario winterized bones. The storm held off until I was airborne once again, this time travelling south back to Toronto.

I had a great time during my short visit to Nunavut. I’d like to thank all the librarians and school teachers who met me, guided me and fed me during in the week that I was there. It was an honour to meet you and your students.