Danielle S. Marcotte
November 02nd, 2023
The blue camas flower that grows in the Pacific Northwest Coast was historically used by First Nation communities as a food source for millennnia. That all changed when Irish settlers arrived as recounted in Danielle S. Marcotte’s kidlit novel, Blue Camas, Blue Camas (Heritage $22.95). The story revolves around a Lkwungen community and recently-arrived Irish settlers who had contrasting views about the land. Through captivating illustrations, the book portrays the imperiled Indigneous way of life, and emphasizes food rights, biodiversity and ecosystem preservation. It serves as a tool for discussions on these viral topics, fostering understanding and awareness among children and teachers. Marcotte is a bilingual children’s book author and retired journalist. She has published ten children’s books, as well as articles for French and English magazines and newspapers. 9781772034653
Image by Stephanie Bourgeois.
This is a wonderful wonderful book! I highly recommend it to explain cultural differences to youngsters aged 4-7. And the illustrations are magnificient.