From Sea to Sea to Sea 2023 Edition

A picture book celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions. The Governor General Award-winning team behind When We Were Alone shares a story that honors our connections to our past and our grandfathers and fathers.

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.

Awards

• 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature -- illustrated books 
• 2022 Shining Willow Award
• 2022 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award winner
• 2023 Chocolate Lily Award

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Shares and teaches some Swampy Cree words throughout the story.

Notes from the author and illustrator, as well as a glossary of the Swampy Cree words used in the story and a pronunciation guide are included.

This book is available in French: Ligne de trappe.

Additional Information
48 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"

When you go for a walk in nature, who do you see? What do you hear?

Award-winning storyteller Nicola I. Campbell shows what it means “to stand like a cedar” on this beautiful journey of discovery through the wilderness. Learn the names of animals in the Nłe7kepmxcín or Halq’emeylem languages as well as the teachings they have for us. Experience a celebration of sustainability and connection to the land through lyrical storytelling and Carrielynn Victor’s breathtaking art in this children’s illustrated book.

Discover new sights and sounds with every read.

Reviews
"Stand Like a Cedar is a work of grace and dignity, a celebration of land, family, and knowing who you are and where you come from and being so grateful for everything you’ve been given. Bravo, Nicola Campbell and Carrielynn Victor for creating this treasure. I love it."—Richard Van Camp, author of Little You and A Blanket of Butterflies

"Campbell’s rhythmic writing is wonderful, conveying important messages about the environment and family. Victor’s vibrant renderings accompany the engaging text nicely. Bold illustrations portray elements such as weather, nature, and animals alongside evocative details like glowing skylines. An Indigenous girl shares vivid lessons in this lovely, thoughtful environmental tale." —Kirkus Reviews

"Stand Like a Cedar is a story that connects the journey of building connections through a journey in the wilderness. Through the blended use of the Nłeʔkepmxcín and Halq'emeylem languages, readers are exposed to the healing that takes place in nature. The lyrical storytelling celebrates the healing and strength that comes from building one’s connections to their own journey." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Learn the names of animals in the Nłe7kepmxcín or Halq’emeylem languages as well as the teachings they have for us.

Includes a glossary of phrases and a translation guide.

Includes a page of back matter on Coastal and Interior Salish Languages.

This book is available in French: Debout comme un grand cedre

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.12" x 7.75"

Thomas loves to tell stories. Big stories. Stories about how skilled he is on the land. But when one of his friends grows tired of his tall tales, Thomas has to prove how skilled he really is. Taking the challenge to spend a night alone in the forest, Thomas heads into the wilderness. The trees, who have heard his stories, watch him tear off their bark and litter as he goes. And so, while Thomas sleeps, they dance a dance that will leave Thomas with a very different kind of story to tell—if he can find his way home…

In this book, Masiana Kelly draws on the beauty of the Northwest Territories and the wisdom of Elders to illustrate the importance of treating the land around us with respect.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Themes: Indigenous, Nature Conservation, Litter, Teaching Honesty, Values and Virtues

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Hardcover 

Knowing our culture means knowing who we are. When we know who we are, we can walk in a good way.

It's been said when teachings are passed down from one generation to the next, good things can happen. Language is learned, knowledge is shared and culture is practiced. In this story of language preservation, author/illustrator and Anishnaabemowin language teacher Juliana Armstrong illuminates a number of Anishnaabemowin words along with their cultural connections, passed down from her Ojibway ancestors. Knowing our culture means knowing who we are. When we know who we are, we can walk in a good way.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8

This book shares Anishnaabemowin words, their cultural connections and how to say them, with the help of phonetics.

A story of Indigenous language preservation and revitalization.

This authentic book is written and illustrated by an Ojibway artist and Anishnaabemowin language teacher.

A teacher lesson plan is available: This Is What I've Been Told Teacher Lesson Plan

This book is available in French: C'est ce qu'on m'a dit

Additional Information
40 pages | 11.00" x 8.50"

When the world gets too loud and chaotic, a young boy’s grandfather helps him listen with wonder instead.

Kids laughing, sneakers squeaking, balls bouncing—for Thunder, the sounds of the school day often brew into overwhelming noise storms. But when Thunder’s mosom asks him what he hears on an urban nature walk, Thunder starts to understand how sounds like bird wings flapping and rushing water can help him feel calm and connected. Gentle, inviting illustrations by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley emphasize Mosom’s lessons about the healing power of the world around us.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7

Encourages nature appreciation and mindfulness.

Positive, affirming intergenerational (grandparent-grandchild) relationship that models consent and showcases the transmission of knowledge from elders to the new generation.

Themes: Indigenous Canadian; Environment; Emotions and Feelings; Nature

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.25" x 9.50" | Hardcover 

The first treaty that was made was between the earth and the sky. It was an agreement to work together. We build all of our treaties on that original treaty.

On the banks of the river that have been Mishomis’s home his whole life, he teaches his granddaughter to listen—to hear both the sounds and the silences, and so to learn her place in Creation. Most importantly, he teaches her about treaties—the bonds of reciprocity and renewal that endure for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.

Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Luke Swinson and an author’s note at the end, Aimée Craft affirms the importance of understanding an Indigenous perspective on treaties in this evocative book that is essential for readers of all ages.

Awards

• 2022 Indigenous Voices Award in the graphic novels, comics, and illustrated books category 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 10+ 

Target Grade: Grade 5

Reading Level: Lexile 920L

CCSS.ELA-Literacy Strand-Reading literature:
SL.3.1,1a,1b,1c,1d,2
W.3.1,1a.1b,1c,1d,1e
L.3.1,1a,1b,1c,1d.1e
RL.3.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9

This book is available in French: Mishomis raconte les traités: Tant que les rivières couleront 

Additional Information
60 pages | 4.00" x 6.00"

From Julie Flett, the beloved author and illustrator of Birdsong, comes a joyous new book about playtime for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 7.

Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates diversity and the interconnectedness of nature through an Indigenous perspective, complete with a glossary of Cree words for wild animals at the back of the book, and children repeating a Cree phrase throughout the book. Readers will encounter birds who chase and chirp, bears who wiggle and wobble, whales who swim and squirt, owls who peek and peep, and a diverse group of kids who love to do the same, shouting: We play too! / kimêtawânaw mîna

A beautiful ode to the animals and humans we share our world with, We All Play belongs on every bookshelf.

Awards

• 2021 Bull-Bransom Illustration Award Winner
• 2022 Best Book for Babies

Reviews
“Everyone loves to play! Award-winning author/illustrator Flett shares the joyful antics of young animals as they romp in much the same way as human children…This celebration of nature is sprinkled with words from the Cree language… [and] celebrate[s] our interconnection with the creatures who share our world.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Cree-Métis artist Flett starts with quiet, elegant portraits of animals….In spare compositions, [she] aptly underlines [the kinship between animals and people] by showing animals and humans embracing play in similar ways.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A beautifully illustrated book that introduces a series of young animals at play, then relates their activities to those of children … affirming our oneness with nature.”—Booklist

Educator Information
Recommended for babies, toddlers and children up to age 7.

This book is available in a board book format: We All Play (BB) 

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

From Dene artist and bioethicist Lisa Boivin comes this healing story of hope, dreams, and the special bond between grandfather and granddaughter.

When a little girl dreams about a bear, her grandfather explains how we connect with the knowledge of our ancestors through dreams. Bear, Hawk, Caribou, and Wolf all have teachings to share to help us live a good life. But when Grampa gets sick and falls into a coma, the little girl must lean on his teachings as she learns to say goodbye.

Masterful prose and stunning collage weave a gentle story about life and death that will touch the hearts of children and adults alike.

Awards

• 2022 Co-winner of the First Nation Communities READ PMC Indigenous Literature Award, Children’s Category winner

Reviews
"How we deal with loss, and the personal, cultural, and community ways we do that, is an urgent issue. Lisa Boivin's work is as soulful and compelling as it is beautiful!— Dr. Allison Crawford

"In We Dream Medicine Dreams, Lisa Boivin uses her powerful words and pictures to show us natural laws and teachings. These teachings about the medicine power of dreams, family, loss, and connection resonate with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. In sharing these teachings with us, Lisa has given all those that read her book a great gift that allows the ancestors to speak with our children. This little book full of stories and teachings, which are the core of who we are, will bring us back to our ancestral selves. I encourage everyone, young and old, to spend an evening with this charming masterpiece – you will not regret it." — The Honourable Yvonne Boyer, J.D., L.L.M., L.L.D.

“I highly recommend this book. Not only did I love the incredible illustrations, which would definitely appeal to children, I also loved how this gentle story would be a great starting point when talking to children in a classroom about family loss, death and grief.” — ETFO Voice

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 - 8.

Author Lisa Biovin’s background as a bioethicist makes her ideally placed to discuss the subject in a way that’s sensitive and also provide both healing and hope.

The bright colours and textured feel will appeal to children.

Additional Information
48 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

A baby board book from the bestselling artist behind Mi'kmaw Animals that teaches young readers Mi'kmaw concepts and a Mi'kmaw word for each day of the week.

From celebrated artist Alan Syliboy, this vital book for the youngest readers showcases seven of Syliboy’s popular Daily Drum artworks, each paired with a different day of the week. From Spirit Woman to Caribou to Round Dance, Mi’kmaw culture and teachings are offered up to newborns and toddlers in a vibrant and accessible book.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Includes references to Muin, the eight-point star, the round dance, and Spirit Woman.

Additional Information
10 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Boardbook