I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience by Brook M. Thompson

I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience 

by Brook M. Thompson

Illustrated by Anatsasia Khmelevska

Published March, 2025

From Heyday

Hardcover

Picture Book 

Summary (from Storygraph)

For young readers, an inspiring story about a river, a successful Native-led movement for environmental justice, and the making of a scientist.
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. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come.

This book exposes readers to many different things. Readers will read a story of how tribal people fought for the safety of the salmon and the closing of several electric dams. They will learn factual information about salmon and lampreys as well as cultural information about how native ancestors have protected the river and the fish for generations.  The book is based on real life events of the native author who is also part of the neurodivergent community and has dyslexia. The font, Open Dyslexic, is used for the text of the book. This font is designed to make reading words easier for people with dyslexia. 

I Love Salmon and Lampreys is perfect for spring and Earth Day!