The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom

by Leigh Joseph

Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials.  The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Join Held by the Land author Leigh Joseph and her children in The Land Knows Me, an educational, hands-on journey to discover all the wonderful uses of the plants around us. Through the Squamish traditions, you’ll learn how to ground yourself on the land, introduce yourself in the Squamish language to the land and plants, and the many teachings about plants, cultural stories, and learnings related to the plants seen on our walk. This essential and colorful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars and reflection questions alongside 16 plant profiles,     Ḵwiĺayus (kw-ill-eye-os), Red-Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineumḴ’emeláý (k-em-ill-eye), Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllumSéliýaý (s-elle-ee-eye), Low Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosaXápaýay (hey-pie-eye), Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicataḴwe7úpaý (kw-oh-pa-eye), Pacific Crabapple, Malus fuscaX̱ach’t (ha-ch-t), Fireweed, Chamaenerion angustifolium And more The Land Knows Me features detailed plant illustrations and kid-friendly botanical drawings, with plant names in both Squamish and English so children can learn a new language while discovering the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them. Nature reflection and mindfulness activities and basic recipes for plant-based foods like fireweed jelly and currant-infused honey offer even more opportunities for education and engagement around grounding oneself on the land. Follow the stream, cross the field, and step into a forest full of rich, botanical diversity rooted in history and tradition.

Genres: Childrens, Indigenous, Nature, Family, Nonfiction, Food, Education

80 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Nicole Bergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful picture book/nature walk. Beautiful illustrations. Some Squamish words too. Good fun.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Due to the new NetGalley download system, I was unable to download this book [due to the new download program being incompatible with my Kindle Fire], and it was NOT available on the new NetGalley reader. I had to wait [with fingers crossed] to see if would be available from my library; thankfully it was [with no wait!! YAY!!] and my review is below. **

In this lovely book, you and your littles will learn how to respect nature through the eyes of the indigenous culture of the Squamish people [ of which the author and the illustrator are a part of], joining an adult and three littles on a nature walk where learning is fun, exciting, and an invitation to awe.

This book has fantastic illustrations that really add to the story. There is also highlighted important words within the story that both teach and encourage a further look, Squamish words [with their phonetic pronunciations do we can all learn to speak this indigenous language], lots of information on the Squamish culture [and how nature figures into that], and the importance of slowing down and appreciating [and respecting] nature more. Add in activities to participate in, over 40 Squamish words to learn, gorgeous plant illustrations with information about them [at the end of the book], and a very helpful glossary and you will feel that you have learned something but in a very fun and colorful way.

Perfect for littles and adults alike, this will be a fun learning session for everyone, that will lead to nature adventures of their own.

Very well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Leigh Joseph, Natalie Schnitter - Illustrator, and Quarto Publishing Group - becker & mayer!/becker & mayer! Kids for providing the original ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having stumbled upon several publishers with specific audiences in the Indigenous North American worlds, it was a surprise to find this book coming from Quarto's empire, and with such a small catchment area for its readers. For them it is probably a marvel, but for anyone else, it is a step too far – this is clumsily awkward to absorb. It's about a family having a walk around looking at plants, and as befits their respect for the land and their kin all around them they are incredibly mindful and careful with everything. But their dialogue is stuffed with their specific Squamish language, which is actually quite boggling on the eye (it has a letter 7 in it, it seems) – and so little flows, with the literal translations and pronunciations to take on board, the narrative and the dialogue. After their short walk takes up some pretty little pages we get the nature notes for all the flowers, as in a proper echt spotter's guide, which again are pretty and are done very well, but prove once again that this is for a niche audience. If you're not stumbling over the Squamish this is a wonderful thing to see the culture respected and represented, and any young botanist from the Coast Salish areas will get much from this. But to repeat – it's not friendly enough for a general audience. It is probably a five star achievement, but I can imagine this being more universal and so I cannot give it that full mark – but nor does it really deserve the rating I myself would consider it worth for me.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Land Knows Me” is a walk through nature where a guide gently guides the children to learn about native plants and how the Squamish culture has traditionally used them. There are plants for eating, plants for healing, and plants for building. All of them have significance and are respected and honored.

The illustrations are colorful and simple, but when it comes to the featured plants there are detailed drawings with annotations. The back of the book features double-page spreads where the plant is shown on one side and the history and significance of the plant is on the other. Throughout the book plant names are in Squamish and English.

To fully understand the significance of the walk and the plants, it’s important for readers to slow down and take time with the story. Immerse yourself and walk alongside the children as they learn.

This story is great for young readers who enjoy nature and/or learning about indigenous wisdom.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group becker&mayer! kids, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pierre-Luc Landry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The documentary sections of The Lands Knows Me are the ones I enjoyed the most. The author's ethnobotanical knowledge is shared in a compelling way for readers young and not-so-young, and the illustrations are precise, colourful and exciting. I wasn't as moved by the story, which seemed redundant once I read through the pages dedicated to the plant profiles. The narrative itself felt too elliptical, and the "ruse" fell flat: it provided little more than a pretext to share the same information that is already mobilized by the liminal pages and the pedagogical dossier. It is nonetheless an important read for anyone, especially for settlers living on Coast Salish territory, and I can easily see how it can be of similar importance to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh kids who are so rarely represented in children's literature.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful adventure! This is an educational journey teaching us the many ways to use the plants around us, to respect nature and we also learn what a gift they are to everyone. This is a wonderful cultural journey with the indigenous Squamish culture. We get to hear, learn and understand the many teachings about the plants and their connections to the Earth. I love how it introduces us to a new culture in a creative way. We were excited to learn some new language and how to say it. The book gives a detailed picture description of 15 plants, encouraging us to learn more and share what we learned. The book encourages us to. learn and understand more about others and nature. Great to use in the classroom.
Enjoy with your family.

A million stars

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular! While this book is clearly written for a nature walk with quite young children, the appealing art and the extensive back matter about the plants mentioned create a language and plant learning resource that is rich in interest for older children and adults as well. I love this as a primer for learning Skwxwú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish language), but also for learning about the history and people of the Pacific Northwest. It's a tremendous beginning foraging guide -- foods, medicinal uses, dyes, and very specific information about how to safely identify and prepare wild plants. Finally, it's a gorgeous way to talk about sustainability and how to harvest with the greater ecosystem in mind.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful children's book that can be used at home or in the classroom to engage learners with botany, nature walks, and learning about Squamish culture. I appreciated the use of Squamish words and the inclusion of phonetic pronunciations. I loved that there was both a narrative about a nature walk and information at the end which includes sustainable harvesting recommendations and a plant guide with beautiful illustrations, Squamish cultural uses and significance, and safety tips. There's also a glossary at the end for the bolded words which can be used for learning about informational text features.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canadian, local, non-fiction picture book!
We adored this book, as it is local to us here in BC and really teaches us so much about the beauty of the land around us through a traditional, Indigenous lens.

We learned so much about the plants & trees here in British Columbia, and really appreciated learning the traditional words in Squamish. I liked how each plant page gave safety tips, how to harvest, uses, habitat, and the significance in Squamish culture.

This book really goes in depth, so is perfect for nature lovers, plant enthusiasts, etc. Children and Adults can really learn a lot from "The Land Knows Me."

[Isabella Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super informative & pretty to look at! I learned new things, which is always the goal. I wish I had more books right now about Southern CA Indigenous topics to add to the garden book box but this one about the Pacific Northwest works too!

Good information for kids about the Squamish language (did you know a 7 is used when writing to denote a hard stop/pause that’s not in the English language👀??), reciprocity, good nature/gathering practices, & sustainability. The illustrated plant guide at the back is really cool/helpful too.

I didn’t know till I read the author’s note that this is a book by a mother about taking nature walks with her kids 🥹❤️

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good to remember our connection to the land. This book highlights that while opening a door into a gukyyre about which we may nit know very much. I'm looking forward to my next walk in the woods.