A Children's Book Creating Art from the Stories of Salmon

When I start pulling out the turtlenecks and cozy socks, it’s a sure sign that Fall is setting in around the Comox Valley.

The trees are still mostly green and kids aren’t even back in school. But, both the tiny person and I are counting the days until our very favorite nature spectacle of the year – the Fall salmon run.

During those late October and early November days, we spend a whole lot of time in our water pants and wool sweaters at the edge of Morrison Creek or the Tsolum River watching these incredible migrants head home to preserve the species and continue to be the cornerstone of Vancouver Island’s ecosystem.

If you couldn’t tell, we are a wee bit in love with salmon.

So, when I recently discovered A Salmon’s Sky View, self-published by Victoria teacher Carol McDougall, we both had a moment there when we wished the rains and the salmon had already returned (I know, don’t rush the loss of daylight).
This lovely book tells the story of a salmon from egg to its final push upriver, giving kids the chance to guess which type of creature the salmon is spotting at the different stages of life.

Don’t let its self-published feel fool you – it’s a wonderful gem that brings the salmon spawn to life.

While the story alone is interactive and engaging, what I love the most is that – at the end – McDougall leads readers through a fantastic Waldorf-inspired salmon watercolor project that is truly warm and connective.

I’ve always found watercolor a great, soothing process for kids. But, it has seemed like a Spring kind of thing. To use the wet watercolor technique on a Fall project brings a whole new vibe to it all… and we loved it.

McDougall, a fine arts teacher, has created something quite special in A Salmon’s Sky View with a simple look at the lifecycle of fish from a creative perspective.

You can pick up your copy at Planet Kids in Courtenay or the independent book seller in your town.

Tags: Book Review, children's books, Comox Valley, family, Kids, literacy, migration, Our Big Earth Media Co., Salmon, Vancouver Island

Category: ARTS & LITERACY, Rainy Day Book Club