I LOVE SALMON AND LAMPREYS: A NATIVE STORY OF RESILIENCE, Brook M. Thompson and Anastasia Khmelevska, Heyday, March 4, 2025, Hardcover, $20 (ages 4-8)
Learn the story of a Native-led movement that saw the successful removal of four dams in I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience, by Brook M. Thompson and Anastasia Khmelevska.
Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger.
People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. —Synopsis provided by Heydey
I Love Salmon and Lampreys is told from author Brook M. Thompson’s point of view. The author shares her experiences with salmon and lampreys and explains how they motivated her to become a scientist.
I Love Salmon and Lampreys not only covers the environmental impact dams had on the Klamath River, it also celebrates Native life and traditions.
Thompson’s text, which printed in a font that makes it easier for readers with dyslexia to read, is smooth and accessible. There’s a warm tone to it that mirrors her cultural pride.
Friendly illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska are brightly colored and have a lovely touch of whimsy.
Backmatter includes fun facts about salmon and lampreys, a map of the Klamath River Watershed and author’s note about the book.
About the creators:
Brook M. Thompson is a part of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes. She is a neurodivergent and Two-Spirit author with dyslexia. She has a BS in civil engineering from Portland State University and an MS in environmental engineering from Stanford University, and she will soon have a PhD in environmental studies from University of California, Santa Cruz, where she studies water, politics, restoration, and salmon. You can find out more about her at brookmthompson.com.
Anastasia Khmelevska is an illustrator based in Lviv, Ukraine. She has illustrated several children’s books, including My Invisible Zoo, Marella the Mermaid, and Anything Helps.
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