This story is about a giant who goes through life alone until he finds a stranded little hunter that he adopts as a son, and then takes him on his journeys with him. This book has a very cool storyline that enhances the need for a father/son relationship. This book would be appropriate for an elementary level reader. ( )

When a great giant named Inukpak comes upon a human hunter in this Inuit folktale, he mistakes him for a child because of his small size, and decides to adopt him. The hunter doesn't want to argue with a giant, and goes along for the ride on Inukpak's shoulder, seeing many wonderful things. Eventually, as the two continue their adventures together, they become great friends...

One of many high quality titles produced by Inhabit Media, an Inuit-owned publisher based in Nunavut, specializing in books with an Inuit theme, On the Should of a Giant pairs an engaging story from author Neil Christopher with appealing artwork from illustrator Jim Nelson. The tale is somewhat episodic, with no overarching quest narrative or problem to be solved, but no less enjoyable for that, while the artwork is quite expressive. I appreciated the inclusion of an afterword, discussing the different kinds of giants in Inuit lore. Recommended to all young folklore enthusiasts, those who enjoy giant tales, and to anyone looking for children's books with an Inuit cultural backdrop. ( )

Inukpak, “pronounced ‘ee-newk-pak,’” is a giant so large that he mistakes a whale for a small fish, a polar bear for a lemming, and a full grown human for a tiny child. When a lost Inuit hunter encounters him for the first time, the hunter finds himself unwillingly adopted by the giant—because who’s going to argue with someone that big? Perched on Inukpak’s huge shoulder the hunter learns what the arctic looks like from a gigantic point of view.

This beautifully illustrated tale also has an informative introduction and a five page afterword, “More about Arctic Giants,” so the reader can tell the really big ones like Inukpak, from merely large giants. There’s also information about giant polar bears, and when you might be standing on sleeping giant without knowing it. ( )

An interesting tale of a hunter swept up into the life of a giant and they go on to share adventures together. I've never heard a story similar. My 6 year old has asked me to read it several times. It's full of humor and I enjoyed the native names and words shared in the book. I've enjoyed exploring these new folk tales outside of the Greek mythology I was already familiar with. These stories from other cultures have been fun to share with my children, I feel like it gives them a wider perspective. ( )

On the Shoulder of a Giant is about a great giant named Inukpak. Inukpak was so big he could just walk across the ocean and the water didn't go above his knees. He was very friendly. One day he saw a hunter that he mistook for a child and picked him up and put him on his shoulder. They traveled that way for a while. The hunter was afraid to tell the giant that he wasn't a child, but a man. By this time they were pretty far away from the hunters home, so he just stayed with him. Eventually they became friends and traveled everywhere together.