Any time is a good time to read more indigenous stories, but as we get closer to Thanksgiving in particular it’s nice to take some time to learn about the people who were here before colonists came, and who still practice a traditional relationship with the earth.
The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom by Leigh Joseph and illustrated by Natalie Schnitter, takes readers on a walk in the Pacific Northwest to learn about plants and animals important to the Squamish people.
The book follows a family on a plant walk, talking about what they bring for themselves and for the plants they are going to visit. Because the plants and animals are considered family, it’s respectful to greet them and bring them gifts, especially if you’re going to harvest some of the plants for medicine or food.
They see and harvest various plants and talk about their uses, such as wild rose petals being good for bug bites to relieve itching, or crab apples and the bark of the tree being used in both food and medicine. Cottonwood buds are used to make a salve for achy bodies, and salal berries are great for drying into fruit leather.
Illustrations are colorful and cute and show how different plants and animals share habitats in the forest.
The overarching theme is that nature is a community just like the human community, and plants and animals rely on each other just as we rely on them. It also touches on the importance of cross-generational discussion and the passing on of knowledge about the plants that are important to a culture.
The book includes words in Squamish and how to pronounce them, as well as their meanings in English. There are also tips for readers who might want to go on their own plant walk, such as noticing what plants and animals are around and thinking about places in nature that are special to you.
There are also some sidebars with extra context such as talking about how Squamish people give thanks for the plants and what a nurse log is.
At the back of the book there are tips for harvesting wild plants sustainably, as well as field notes about the different plants that are included in the book. These notes include the plant’s habitat, how it is used by the Squamish, how to harvest and any safety tips. There are also recipes for things like honey infused with red currant berries.
Even if you don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, The Land Knows Me is a lovely introduction to indigenous culture and how people and plants and animals are connected for kids ages 6-11. This book focuses on spring plants, but it’s a nice read any time of year to get you thinking about and looking for useful plants where you live.
About the book: 80 pages, hardcover paper over boards. Published 2025 by becker & meyer kids. Suggested retail price $18.99.
Leave a Reply