When I'm a Moshom

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Corrie Hill

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-174-3

40 pp.

Ages 3–7

May 26 2026 

 

This is a story of remembrance and celebration. It's also a story of expectation and promise.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

The narrator remembers all the lovely memories he has with his moshom, his grandfather. He begins each memory with:

When I'm a moshom,

A long, long time from now,

before stating what he promises to do, "Just like Moshom did." He will watch his grandchildren in their activities, whether dancing, swimming, playing hockey, or doing gymnastics. But he will also share with them activities important to him. And so many of these shares are traditions and cultural legacies from past generations, whether hunting for muskrat, making bannock, telling stories, or speaking to them in Swampy Cree. There is also the feelings that Moshom extended to him, from a deep love to respect and pride. The narrator has not forgotten his moshom's legacy of teachings and devotion, and he intends to do the same for another generation, for his own grandchildren. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

David A. Robertsona is the author of picture books like The Song That Called Them Home (2023) and Little Shoes (2025), both illustrated by Maya McKibbin; middle grade novels like The Misewa Saga series (2021–2015); graphic novels including Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story (2021); and YA (e.g., Strangers, 2017). While his skill at writing different genres for a variety of audiences is clearly evident, David A. Robertson excels at embedding his stories in the traditions of his Indigenous culture. He does the same in When I'm A Moshom. Not only do we learn about that which his grandfather taught him and shared with him, we see a pride in a legacy of culture. From visiting his community, teaching traditions of celebration and food, and sharing in ceremonies, both moshoms, past and future, embrace the richness of their cultures and strive to impart it to their grandchildren. But it's not heavy-handed sermonizing. Instead, it is the gifting, almost a bequest, of that which is treasured and appreciated. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

While David A. Robertson's words are based in reminiscences of his moshom, When I'm a Moshom is not a story of sadness of loss. It is one of hope and promise for the future. It's a man looking to a time when he can emulate the memories he had with a beloved grandfather and create lasting ones with his own grandchildren. Illustrator Corrie Hill, a member of the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River, ensures that expectation of legacy in her digital artwork. While her art may seem restrained with its clean lines and shapes, Corrie Hill endows her illustrations with joy and family in simple touches. It could be hand-holding, a hug, a smile, laughing eyes, or attention. Because of the depth of heart in her artwork, I am in awe that When I'm a Moshom is her debut picture book.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

When I'm a Moshom is a story that looks to the past to guide in the future. It's looking to that which was lived and experienced to help advise that which will be. Here, the narrator remembers his moshom and the ways his moshom made him feel loved and cherished. Through his actions and communications, his moshom made sure the child felt like he mattered. Whether taking them fishing, speaking to them in Swampy Cree, smudging them, or teaching them to play cribbage, this grandfather and this future moshom know what it means to be a caring elder and unexpected mentor to his grandchildren. How fortunate to be the nôsisimak of either moshom.

Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?: Celebrating Fall

Written by Tyna Legault Taylor

Illustrated by Michelle Dao 

HighWater Press

978-1-774921470

40 pp.

Ages 5–8

October 2025 

 

When Tyna Legault Taylor introduced Joshua in her series Joshua Learns from the Land, her focus was on traditional and seasonal practices of her Indigenous family and ancestors. In Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? (2025), Joshua looked forward to summer and gathering mint for his mother's mint iced tea, though there were other seasons filled with activities like fishing, foraging, and hunting. That picture book celebrated all the seasons while Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? focuses on the fall alone with the boy spending time with his Kokum (grandmother) tracking animals. 

From Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

Joshua and Kokum have a special intergenerational relationship. But Tyna Legault Taylor's dedication indicates that it was even more memorable as Joshua's Kokum was the author's mother, Mary (Okimawinninew) Legault. And when fall comes, Joshua is delighted to join his Kokum or Nookomis (grandmother in both Omushkegomowin [Swampy Cree language] or Anishinaabemowin [Ojibwe language] respectively) in hunting moose, all for her delicious moose meat stew.

From Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

As the two explore forests close to streams, muskeg and lakes, they watch for tracks. Dressed safely in orange and walking quietly, the two find multiple footprints. First there are the tracks of the red fox (osawakaysho / miskowaa waagosh), then the wolf, and the black bear before the moose tracks are spotted. With each animal track found, and all identified in both Omushkegomowin (Swampy Cree language) and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language), Kokum reminds Joshua of the attributes of each. There's the fox's tail that is used for balance, the wolf that runs on its toes, and the black bear that stocks up on food in the fall. 

From Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

Finally, they spot the tracks of a moose; in fact, they spot the tracks of a cow moose and a calf. And though Kokum uses her birchbark call, the day ends without finding a bull moose. Still, there is a full fall of hunting, fishing and foraging, and ultimately they bring home a bull moose for stew and a new pair of moccasins. 

From Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

I know that many teachers and parents will use this book for teaching Indigenous traditions and fall activities, but I think it's important to see Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? and the series as more. There is a great story here of a charming grandmother-grandson relationship, of an outing into the natural world to learn about animals, while picking up some words of Omushkegomowin and Anishinaabemowin. Tyna Legault Taylor, a member of Attawapiskat First Nation (Kattawapiskak), gives readers a lot to think about, discuss, and appreciate.

From Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

As she did in Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons, illustrator Michelle Dao drops us into the natural world through her use of colour and shape, and welcomes us in joining her characters on their hike. Her blend of golden shades with some reds and greens reflect the striking character of the season outside, while her characters give us the joy of togetherness and discovery.

 

I hope we get to enjoy more seasonal visits with Joshua and his family in the Joshua Learns from the Land series. After all, I know we'd love to experience winter or spring or summer activities with the boy and his moshom or perhaps his nimâmâ, and enjoy vicariously his jaunts outdoors and his exploration of traditional Indigenous practices.

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

Written by Tyna Legault Taylor

Illustrated by Michelle Dao 

HighWater Press

978-1-774921227

36 pp.

Ages 5-8

May 2025 

 

A boy and his father walk the land through the seasons. With each season, there are new things to forage or fish or gather but always the child asks his Notawe/Baabaa, "Dad, is it time to gather mint?" That mint, a key component in his mother's teas, both cold and hot, drives this child to ask each time they head out to walk the land.

From Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

The text of Joshua's story is told in English but it is peppered with translations into Omushkegomowin, Swampy Cree, as well as Anishinaabemowin which is Ojibwe. As Joshua learns about the land and its plants and animals, so too do the readers in multiple languages.

 

Although Joshua would love for it to be summer (nipin in Swampy Cree, niibin in Ojibwe) when he can gather mint (katakipanik, gaaminomaagobagak in Swampy Cree and Ojibwe respectively), it is still fall when this story begins. His father (Notawe, Baabaa) reminds him that now it is a time of hunting, gathering Labrador tea (the plant), and fishing for whitefish.

From Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

As he and his father venture out into the season of winter, Joshua asks again and is reminded of those winter activities like snowshoeing, fishing for lake trout and herring, and gathering cedar branches for tea and for cleansing the indoor air. 

From Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

When winter turns to spring and the animals and the plants respond to the warming temperatures, Joshua is reminded that it is a time for hunting geese and gathering spruce buds and fishing for lake trout. Alas, it is still not time to gather the mint.

 

But when it finally is summer, Joshua rejoices, not just for the pickerel they'll fish and the sweetgrass, blueberries and cranberries they pick but for that much-anticipated walk with his father and the inevitable mint iced tea–recipe included–that his mother will share with the family.

From Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?, written by Tyna Legault Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Dao

There are many picture books about the seasons, but Tyna Legault Taylor's story has a richness of Indigenous heritage that makes it unique. Tyna Legault Taylor, a member of Attawapiskat First Nation, ensures a completeness of the year of seasons with the abundance of activities that Joshua and his dad enjoy together with the changing weather and circumstances. She brings us to Joshua's traditional lands in northeastern Ontario and to the culture of his Omushkego Cree and Anishinaabe family.

 

Michelle Dao, a Vietnamese Canadian illustrator, gives both a storytelling flavour and a non-fiction character to Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? Her digital artwork conveys the deep relationship between Joshua and his father, as well as the rest of the family, but also details the important elements that are hunted, fished, or gathered through the seasons.

 

Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? is but the first book in the Joshua Learns from the Land series, with the second book set to be released this October. 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.

 

• • • • • • •

 

Joshua Learns from the Land

 

Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons (May 2025)

Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks?: Celebrating Fall (October 2025)

Mom, Is It Time for the Spring Niska Feast?: Celebrating Spring (forthcoming)