Sizzie & Vaila

A penfriend project between two schools, one in the Yukon and one in the Shetland Islands, brings together Sizzie, a Yukon First Nations Nacho Nyak Dän girl, and Vaila, a native Shetlander. In their writing they share details of their lives, bringing out the similarities and differences between their two cultures. However, the friendship between shy, introspective Vaila and the more adventurous and bossy Sizzie soon becomes much more than just letter-writing. As the readers follow their stories they will learn more about the indigenous history, traditions, legends and languages of the Yukon and of Shetland, as well as joining the girls on their adventures. The energy in the vivid and vibrant illustrations brings the narrative to life and draws the reader into the two northern worlds. The books show that these places are on the same parallel in more ways than one, and that close friendships have no boundaries.