Comment from alf collier

Exceptional

Please take a six, not just for this poem, but all the others in your A-Z Book. It is just fantastic to read a poem that never misses a beat in meter, and still manages to keep the story flowing with direction!! My thanks for this fantastic read!!!

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 25-Apr-2017

The six is humbly accepted. It is so nice to have someone appreciate the effort that goes into all that finger tapping. - Wendy

Comment from Rlegel99

Excellent

Poem about the Iditarod and a boy who dreams of competing. The artwork works well with this piece. This poem flows well. Thank you for sharing this piece of poetry.

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 27-Apr-2017

Thanks for taking the time to review the piece. I will pass on your comment to the artist too. - Wendy

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Another good one for your book Wendy. I've heard of this sled race, and this is a lovely tale as Na-Natsiq trains his dogs and waits till the time 'when he's grown' and be part of the big race.
Nicely told,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 27-Apr-2017

Thanks Valda, sorry for the delayed response but I decided to tackle the hundred or so messages that appeared in my in box. I'm so glad you are a dog lover. ; ) - Wendy

Comment from ~Dovey

Excellent

Hi Wendy,

I'm thrilled that you included an Alaskan in your book. What great fun to teach of the Iditarod. When there isn't enough snow, they move the start of the race to Fairbanks.

Excellent job on this one!

Kim

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Thanks Kim. I was kinda waiting for your review to pass judgement on it myself. I am glad you think I did Alaska proud. I found his first name in an online list of Native Alaskan names. It mentioned that as a rule they didn't use last names, but inclusion in formal society - meaning, for government purposes - they adopted them. Do you know of any resource I can go to that lets me know what Na Natsiq means? Thanks for the kind words and the review. - Wendy

reply by ~Dovey on 24-Apr-2017

Hi Wendy,

Natsiq means seal (referring to the ringed seal) in the Inuit (Eskimo) language. I couldn't find any references to the Na at the beginning of the name. The next time I'm in the local bookstore, I'll try to remember to take a look in one of the local books to see if I can find a reference.

Kim

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Wendy,

I enjoyed your poem for the Na entry. Good job on the selection of this as topic. I have read of this race & you describe it well. Good job on the rhymes & smooth flow of lines, too. The picture is perfect. Will your book have the same pictures?

Good job & thanks for sharing. Jan

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Hi Jan, thanks for stopping by to review. Yes, she is cranking them out about as fast as I can think them up. We probably will pow wow and add a few things here and there, but these are the real ones. They don't travel well by email and the actual illustrations are much brighter. I'm so glad you enjoyed both. - Wendy

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written poem. A night in the life of Na-Natsiq and his sixteen dogs travel onbtje ice over Alaska until he finds a place where he can take a rest in the three hour night.

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Thanks for the read and review Sandra. Kids should always have a dream, right? - Wendy

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Great job with this post for your book and the challenge, Wendy. I enjoyed reading the poem and the author's note as well as the fine artwork. Marilyn

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Thanks for the encouragement Marilyn. I will pass on the love to my artist, Lynn. - Wendy

Comment from rspoet

Excellent

This is an excellent poem of Na-Natsiq and the Alaskan Iditarod
with excellent rhymes and meter
it reads nicely and will be enjoyed by children
while they'll learn something of Alaska and the race
Perfect choice of art work to match poem
Well done,
Good luck with the book

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Thanks for the read, review, and encouragement. - Wendy

Comment from CD Richards

Excellent

Great meter, excellent rhyme, and a really good telling of the story of this famous Alaskan dog race. I imagine at the end there are some incredibly tired dogs and mushers. Well done, Wendy, and thanks for sharing. Craig

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

I do like that the dogs are checked at each of the 25 mandatory check stations that are fully staffed with vets and care givers. I'm glad you enjoyed. - Wendy

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

This is a great educational tool for children, Wendy. Your poem is packed with great information about this dog sled race. Your poem lets a child know that there are those in the world who live a different life and have different customs, and that is what makes the world go 'round. We are all different.

Well written with excellent rhyming and lovely presentation. The artwork is terrific. This is another great addition to your book. "The worlds most well known" ... world's. Great write, Wendy! -- Connie

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 24-Apr-2017

Thanks Connie. I appreciate your pointing out the spag too. I should never post that late at night but I wanted to put the poem to bed -should have been me. Glad you liked it so much. - Wendy

reply by bichonfrisegirl on 24-Apr-2017

Even when I'm wide awake and proof read, I still miss them sometimes too.