Salmon Forest [Hardcover]

David Suzuki (Author), Sarah Ellis (Author), Sheena Lott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

One fall day, Kate goes with her father, a fish biologist, to the river where he works — a river in the Pacific rain forest — the “salmon forest,” as he calls it. Together they watch the sockeye salmon returning to the river to spawn, and witness a bear scooping up a salmon. Next, Kate and her dad run into a Native boy named Brett and his family fishing at a pool in the river. From her adventures, Kate discovers how the forest and the salmon need each other and why the forest is called the salmon forest. David Suzuki’s charming and informative text and Sheena Lott’s watercolors magically evoke the spirit and mystery of the West Coast rain forest.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Katie and her dad are hiking near a river when Dad announces, "Today we're going to find a story . . . . It's called The Salmon Forest." In a dialogue between father and daughter, the facts of a salmon's spawning cycle emerge. The facts unfold at a meandering pace that may leave some children restless, and other recent titles, such as Annette LeBox's Salmon Creek [BKL Ja 1 & 15 03], offer a clearer presentation of spawning. But the text includes lovely sensory descriptions, and the book offers a wider view of the fish's ecosystem than many other books on the subject. In clear, kid-friendly language, Katie and Dad discuss how the salmon and the forest ecosystem form an intricate web of dependency that includes flesh-eating fungi, maggots, and "all the poop" from the animals that feed on salmon. Vibrant watercolors of sun-dappled forest light and shimmering fish bodies add to the sense of atmosphere. A fine demonstration of the web of life for early-elementary science units. A salmon recipe and a glossary are appended. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

" wonderfully imagined the watercolour illustrations are sensitive and beautiful a very special and timely book." Magpies Vol 18, No 5, Nov 2003.David Suzuki s love and knowledge of the environment shines through. The watercolour illustrations are bright and lively. ABR Dec 2003 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greystone Books (August 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550549375
• ISBN-13: 978-1550549379
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,847,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A relaxed, realistic introduction to vital natural processes, October 25, 2005

By 

Jonathan Betz-Zall "Book Bopper" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Salmon Forest (Hardcover)

David Suzuki, this generation's John Muir, introduces children to a vital part of life in the Pacific Northwest, the salmon cycle. In the story, a wise father takes his daughter on a fishing trip, telling her that she will become part of the Salmon Story. Patiently allowing her to observe life and ask questions about what she sees, he gently presents many interesting facts without boring readers. The introduction to First Nations ("Indian") customs is especially effective in presenting this way of life as well-adapted to natural cycles. And making the final point: "we're all part of the same story", clearly presents David Suzuki's life work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Salmon Forest, January 13, 2009

By 

Kathleen Flaherty "the book keeper" (Sandpoint, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Salmon Forest (Hardcover)

Great story and beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors! It tells of the interconnection of all living things. I bought the hardcover edition for my grandkids whose father worked in Alaska at a salmon cannery for several years when he was younger. They will love it as much as they love eating salmon. I enjoyed the glossary in the back of the book and also the recipe that was included. Nice addition to the story.