Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons

by Tyna Legault Taylor, Michelle Dao (Illustrator)

Overview

Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8.

Joshua loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land?

In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781774921234
Publisher:	HighWater Press
Publication date:	06/05/2025
Series:	Joshua Learns From the Land , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Tyna Legault Taylor (she/her) is a member of Attawapiskat First Nation located on the Traditional Territory of the Omushkego James Bay Cree of Treaty 9 in Northern Ontario, Canada. She lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with her son, Joshua, and husband, Darryl. She is pursuing her PhD in Health Sciences at Lakehead University, with a focus on water justice and water sovereignty in Indigenous communities. Tyna also received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Lakehead University. Her master's research explored food justice and ongoing healing through stories of Cree food knowledge and land-based practices, as well as Indigenous food sovereignty in Attawapiskat First Nation.

Michelle Dao (she/her) is a Vietnamese Canadian illustrator based just outside Toronto, Ontario, who has primarily worked in animation. She is a graduate of Seneca College’s Illustration program, specializing in children’s illustrations and media. Michelle has a passion for creating enthralling worlds, charming characters, and dreamy colour palettes.

What People are Saying About This

Don Kelly

A warm and colorful tale that brings traditional teachings to life. This is a story from the home and from the heart that the whole family will enjoy.

Phil Fontaine

The lived experience of Joshua and his family in Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? is a testament to the sacred connection between Indigenous people and the land. The book is also a great tool for all children to learn more about Indigenous people and Indigenous languages.

Barbara Parker

Tyna Legault Taylor delivers a magical story of the seasons through Joshua’s sweet anticipation as he learns how to know when it is time to harvest katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak / mint from the land. In this beautifully illustrated book, Joshua gains important land-based traditional knowledges from his father about harvesting, medicines, and Indigenous food sovereignty and learns key words in Northern Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin as he discovers his relationships to land. With the inclusion of a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea and a glossary, this book will engage readers of all ages, but will be especially treasured by children who see themselves in Joshua’s curious and adventurous spirit!

Dr. Tabitha Robin

Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? is a celebration of family, food, and living with the land. Through Joshua, we discover the beauty and abundance of the seasons: rabbit fur, whitefish, moose, geese, and mint. The use of Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin keywords throughout is an incredible gift, and a further invitation to living with the land. A delightful story that makes you hungry for more.

Editorial Reviews

With clear, vibrant illustrations...[a] picture book that draws you in thanks to Joshua's evident delight in learning with his family. A fun addition to any child's library.

The Walleye

Cheerful cartoon images. Gently rhythmic narrative. Refreshing in its uplift of Indigenous languages.

Kirkus Reviews

This colourful and warm book invites the reader into this story about Joshua learning from his father about traditional food harvesting. The illustrations in this book are adorable.

AnishinabekNews.ca - Alex Hebert

For teachers of young students who are just learning the way seasons work, Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? would be a fabulous and sensitive introduction, with an Indigenous emphasis on language–two languages in fact–and traditional practices of hunting, fishing, gathering and more.

CanLit for LittleCanadians

Swampy Cree…and Anishinaabemowin words are interwoven seamlessly into the simply stated sentences. Dao’s vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and connection. Sharing land-based Indigenous knowledge, this is an informative picture-book-series opener.

Booklist

2025-04-19
A Native child delights in a beloved tradition.

Joshua loves gathering mint with his father each summer. As the seasons progress, he periodically asks, “Dad, is it time to gather katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak from the aski / aki again?” Not yet! Fall is when they hunt moose and partridge, while winter is for ice fishing, snaring rabbits, and gathering cedar. In spring, the family makes spruce tea, fishes for rainbow trout, and hunts geese. Legault Taylor (Attawapiskat First Nation) writes her tale in English, with Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin terms and phrases interspersed, offering young people the unique opportunity to read a trilingual Native story. As Joshua and his family move through the year toward summer, Dao’s cheerful cartoon images emphasize their reverence for the land. The tale concludes with the characters finally harvesting mint along the lakeshore and enjoying mint iced tea with relatives. Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words forland,dad, andmint are repeated often in the gently rhythmic narrative, helping readers to build recognition for the Native words. The tale closes with a glossary and a recipe for mint iced tea.

Refreshing in its uplift of Indigenous languages.(Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews