Michelle Dao
Michelle Dao (she/her) is a Vietnamese Canadian illustrator based just outside Toronto, Ontario, who has primarily worked in animation. She is a graduate of Seneca College’s Illustration program, specializing in children’s illustrations and media. Michelle has a passion for creating enthralling worlds, charming characters, and dreamy colour palettes.
Kids Books (1)
Synopsis:
Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8.
Join Joshua as his father teaches him about traditional food harvesting.
Joshua loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land?
In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.
Reviews
"Tyna Legault Taylor delivers a magical story of the seasons through Joshua’s sweet anticipation as he learns how to know when it is time to harvest katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak / mint from the land. In this beautifully illustrated book, Joshua gains important land-based traditional knowledges from his father about harvesting, medicines, and Indigenous food sovereignty and learns key words in Northern Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin as he discovers his relationships to land. With the inclusion of a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea and a glossary, this book will engage readers of all ages, but will be especially treasured by children who see themselves in Joshua’s curious and adventurous spirit!" — Barbara Parker, Associate Professor, Lakehead University
“Swampy Cree…and Anishinaabemowin words are interwoven seamlessly into the simply stated sentences. Dao’s vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and connection. Sharing land-based Indigenous knowledge, this is an informative picture-book-series opener.”—Booklist
“A warm and colourful tale that brings traditional teachings to life. This is a story from the home and the heart that the whole family will enjoy.”—Don Kelly, Gemini Award–nominated host of APTN's Fish Out of Water and Crazy Like a Lynx
“The lived experience of Joshua and his family...is a testament to the sacred connection between Indigenous people and the land. A great tool for all children to learn more about Indigenous people and Indigenous languages.”—Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Includes some Swampy Cree (n-dialect) words in brown and Anishinaabemowin words in green, but this is not a dual-language book.
The backmatter includes a Swampy Cree/Anishinaabemowin Glossary and a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea.
Big Ideas: Land-Based and Place-Based Learning, Traditional Foods, Traditional Clothing, Traditional Medicine, STEM: Seasonal Cycles, STEM: Plants.
This book is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series.
Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover
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