The Quiet Bird on the Sill

The Quiet Bird on the Sill: New Canadian Children’s Fiction from Inuit Storyteller Eva Suluk, Nurturing Empathy and Supporting Northern & Prairie Arts

Published by the Arts Incubator Winnipeg, The Quiet Bird on the Sill invites young readers into the reflective world of eight-year-old Carl, who learns that some of life’s deepest lessons require a gentle heart and quiet observation. Every day, Carl observes his elderly neighbour, Mrs. Robinson, engaging in a silent, unusual ritual: she carefully places a carved wooden bird on her windowsill in the morning, retrieving it only after dusk.

While other children on Elm Street mock the routine, Carl perceives a richer, unspoken narrative, sparking genuine curiosity and compassion. Through Carl’s perspective, readers embark on a crucial journey exploring the profound importance of empathy in children’s literature, the value of respecting private moments, and the quiet dignity found in rituals that often defy surface-level understanding. This poignant tale, perfect for young hearts and minds, gently reminds us that true kindness means embracing what we don’t fully comprehend, and that the most meaningful connections are sometimes learned in silence.

Find The Quiet Bird on the Sill on Kobo and other major bookstores now.

ISBN: 978-1-0698063-0-7

Meet Eva Suluk: Inuit Storyteller from Arviat, Nunavut

Hailing from Arviat, Nunavut, Eva Suluk is an interdisciplinary artist and author whose creative practice is deeply inspired by her ancestral lands. As an accomplished hunter, filmmaker, and traditional drum dancer, Eva expertly weaves the ancient wisdom of her culture with modern artistic expression. Her powerful stories are born from her experiences on the land, where her hunting adventures and profound love for Inuit culture continuously guide her creative spirit and contribute vital Indigenous voices to Canadian literature.

Nurturing Cultural Capacity: Supporting Storytelling from the North to Northwestern Ontario

This publishing effort proudly supports the expansion of cultural expression and literacy across Canada, from the Arctic to the Prairies. This work, originating from the collaborative Art Borups Corners Storytelling Club program, champions the incredible creativity of Indigenous storytellers like Eva Suluk. The interdisciplinary arts and capacity building initiative, held in the summer of 2025, received essential resources from several leading cultural institutions. We extend our sincere appreciation for the dedicated funding provided by the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects grant, the foundational support from the Arts Incubator Winnipeg Hub, the global mission of Global Dignity Canada, and the professional development provided by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design Creative Entrepreneurship Program. A special thanks goes to the Local Services Board of Melgund and the many community members who made this celebration of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario arts possible.

Key Subject Areas: Indigenous Children’s Literature, Inuit Storytelling, Empathy and Compassion, Canadian Publishing, Intergenerational Relationships, Arviat Nunavut, Arts Capacity Building.