Exploring Alaska: Resource Post

Do you want to do your own exploration of Alaska? I’ve compiled a list of books, activities, blog posts, videos, and websites that helped us with our project. Bear with me as this list is quite extensive, but I’m providing it in the hopes to help you create your own virtual journey through Alaska.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Alaska: An Overview
Books:
Alaska (Welcome to the U.S.A.) by Ann Heinrichs
Denali National Park and Preserve (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen (Both this book and Alaska (Welcome to the U.S.A.) are not widely available for purchase. They are however, widely available in public libraries. So, if you want to use these books, check your library first.)
Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun by Deb Vanasse
The Salmon Princess: An Alaska Cinderella Story by Mindy Dwyer
Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights by Debbie S. Miller
A Child’s Alaska by Claire Rudolf Murphy
Videos: 
Travel Alaska YouTube Channel – We watched several videos on the Travel Alaska Channel to see all the different areas of the state. Some of the videos are ads, but those are clearly marked. The others are a great overview of this beautiful state.
Websites:
Nature Walk: Denali, Alaska at Imagine Childhood – Take a virtual nature walk through Denali in the wintertime
Activities:
Alaska-themed Creative Family Fun Night
Alaska state coloring page via Crayola.com

Moose
Books:
Moose (Animals That Live in the Forest) by JoAnn Early Macken

It’s a Baby Moose! (Baby Mammals)
by Kelly Doudna
Amazing Animals: Moose by Kate Riggs 
Elusive Moose by Joan Gannij
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss
Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Activities:
Moose Silhouette Paintings
Moose craft and If You Give a Moose a Muffin activities from Crayon Freckles
If You Give a Moose a Muffin muffin-tin meal from Coffee Cups & Crayons

Sled Dogs and The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Books:
Mush! Across Alaska in the World’s Longest Sled-Dog Race by Patricia Seibert
Douggie: The Playful Pup Who Became a Sled Dog Hero by Pam Flowers
Wind-Wild Dog by Barbara Joose
Dogteam by Gary Paulsen
Websites:
Iditarod – The Last Great Race – The is the official website of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. You’ll find videos, photos, a history of the race, and a very extensive education section.

Native Alaskans
Books:
Eskimo Boy: Life in an Inupiaq Village by Russ Kendall (This is another book that is not available to purchase new, but it was too good of a resource not to include. Look for it in your public library.)
Kitaq Goes Ice Fishin
by Margaret Nicolai
The Eagle’s Gift by Rafe Martin
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott

The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale by Lydia Dabcovich
Activities:
Totem pole project and writing prompt from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational
Totem pole craft from No Time for Flashcards

For the Older Kids (Elementary-Aged & Beyond)
Books:
Dogsong by Gary Paulsen 
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Activities:
The book,Hands-On Alaska: Art Activities for All Ages by Yvonne Y. Merrill, was full of art and craft ideas that would be appropriate for your older children. The projects were based on traditional Alaska Native art. The projects are amazing, and the instructions will help you make masks, jewelry, and many more works of art.

Other topics to consider:
Northern lights, grizzly bear, bald eagle, the tundra, glaciers, totem poles, salmon, and snow

I hope these resources help you in planning your own exploration of Alaska (or just to find some awesome new books to read). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me or ask in the comments. Have fun!