Hearthside Books & Toys

Each spring the Native America people of the Pacific Northwest celebrate First Salmon, which marks the arrival of the salmon that have provided them with food for centuries. But this spring, Charlie's heart is not in the celebration. First Salmon will never be the same without Uncle Joe. During the ceremony, Charlie remembers his late uncle and the good times they had together, skipping stones or taking out the cedar canoe. He remembers the things his uncle had taught him and the stories that he told. When one by one Charlie's people tell their own stories that honor the salmon, Charlie comes to an understanding that helps him see beyond his grief. Roxane Beauclair Salonen's moving story, with heartfelt illustrations by Jim Fowler, captures a special moment in the life of a boy, who is struggling with death of a loved one.