Salmon Forest

Alice Kidd is an editor with The New Catalyst editorial collective in
Lillooet, B.C.

One bright autumn day, Kate and her father go to the river in search of
a story. Hiking along a salmon spawning stream, under the shade of the
forest, they encounter salmon at every stage of life from egg to
“millions of babies” to dying adult. They also meet many of the
other species connected to the salmon’s life: birds, bugs, bears,
trees, and humans.

As each new species is introduced, the story weaves from salmon as
predator, to salmon as prey, to salmon as fertilizer, always circling
back to the spawning grounds. What triggers the different aspects of the
salmon cycle and how the fish manage to return to their native stream
remains a mystery, although some answers are suggested. The final
segment with a fishing family brings us back to our own experience as
“salmon people.”

“Mysteries, merry-go-rounds and millions of babies” is an excellent
description of this story. The story is well told, with simple yet
satisfying explanations. The vivid watercolour illustrations are full of
detail and movement, nicely capturing the beauty and richness of the
watery world. As a bonus, a salmon recipe is included at the back of the
book.

Salmon Forest is an excellent introduction to the life of the salmon,
especially for those of us living in salmon country who want to share
this experience with our children. Highly recommended.