Carolyn Peterson Benjamin Libros

Double Trouble Cat and Dump is a story about real-life experiences of twins growing up during the 1940s; in an extended family unit. Only twins really understand what it's like to be twins. They communicate in special ways. Something as simple as a smile, a glance, or gesture is all it takes for them to get the meaning of what's being communicated between them. In the story, the twins are each other's best friend and playmate. Oh, the adventures they had at Aunt Sarah's house! Aunt Sarah, their favorite aunt, loved babysitting the twins because she was always waiting to see what they would get into next. True to form they did not disappoint!This illustrated picture book will give kids a little peek into what it's like to be a twin. Double Trouble is a fun picture book of twin adventures and twin bonds.

Among the vanishing cultures of the world, the Ainu of north-east Asia are notable for their rich oral literature. In 1922, Chiri Yukie collected thirteen beautiful Ainu chants, marking the first time Ainu literature was written down by an Ainu. This book offers new English translations of her remarkable work, originally composed in yukar form, a chant style used by female storytellers in Hokkaido. These narratives explore the relationship between humans and the spirit world, with each yukar narrated by a spirit such as a fox, whale, or frog. Central to these tales is the owl god, Kotankor Kamui, whose songs articulate the covenant between humans and the spirits that provide sustenance. Other stories emphasize nature's balance, the respect owed to animal spirits, and the heroism of Okikirmui. In the early 20th century, Chiri Yukie, a descendant of female storytellers, began documenting these chants to preserve them. She developed a system for representing the Ainu language in the Roman alphabet and translated key tales into Japanese. Although she died young, her work became a sensation, introducing Ainu culture to a broader audience and inspiring efforts to preserve Ainu beliefs. This translation aims to maintain the richness of Chiri's original texts while providing a clear introduction to her life and the Ainu language, offering readers insight into this sophisticated spiritual tradition.