In this First Nation story, Tess learns from her grandmother that her “garden” is all of nature that surrounds her. As they pick plants and berries, they do so carefully and with respect. Tess discovers that if she cares for the Earth, it will provide for her just as it provided for generations past. The text of this book is complemented by beautiful watercolour illustrations that encourage students to appreciate our natural world.
This story can help students gain an understanding of First Nations cultures and the traditional knowledge that is passed down between generations. The book emphasizes the respect for the land that is synonymous with First Nation traditions. This story would also make an excellent introduction to a nature ecology unit and could be used to support a discussion about the interdependence between humans and their natural environment.
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