Having stumbled upon several publishers with specific audiences in the Indigenous North American worlds, it was a surprise to find this book coming from Quarto's empire, and with such a small catchment area for its readers. For them it is probably a marvel, but for anyone else, it is a step too far – this is clumsily awkward to absorb. It's about a family having a walk around looking at plants, and as befits their respect for the land and their kin all around them they are incredibly mindful and careful with everything. But their dialogue is stuffed with their specific Squamish language, which is actually quite boggling on the eye (it has a letter 7 in it, it seems) – and so little flows, with the literal translations and pronunciations to take on board, the narrative and the dialogue. After their short walk takes up some pretty little pages we get the nature notes for all the flowers, as in a proper echt spotter's guide, which again are pretty and are done very well, but prove once again that this is for a niche audience. If you're not stumbling over the Squamish this is a wonderful thing to see the culture respected and represented, and any young botanist from the Coast Salish areas will get much from this. But to repeat – it's not friendly enough for a general audience. It is probably a five star achievement, but I can imagine this being more universal and so I cannot give it that full mark – but nor does it really deserve the rating I myself would consider it worth for me.

“The Land Knows Me” is a walk through nature where a guide gently guides the children to learn about native plants and how the Squamish culture has traditionally used them. There are plants for eating, plants for healing, and plants for building. All of them have significance and are respected and honored.

The illustrations are colorful and simple, but when it comes to the featured plants there are detailed drawings with annotations. The back of the book features double-page spreads where the plant is shown on one side and the history and significance of the plant is on the other. Throughout the book plant names are in Squamish and English.

To fully understand the significance of the walk and the plants, it’s important for readers to slow down and take time with the story. Immerse yourself and walk alongside the children as they learn.

This story is great for young readers who enjoy nature and/or learning about indigenous wisdom.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group becker&mayer! kids, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I can’t wait to get a copy of this book. It was very informative and shared the message about how Indigenous people value nature and give back for what they take. I learned about many different plant species and their value. I’d love to take a nature walk with my students and share this book before hand to make them more aware of the beauty and usefulness surrounding them.

The book was beautifully written. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!

The Land Knows Me written by Leigh Joseph and illustrated by Natalie Schnitter, is a beautiful book about plants, and our relationship with them, from the Pacific Northwest, teaching you how to correctly say each word in Squamish. It features information about cultural practices, traditions and language, as well as information about how to look after the plants mentioned and a glossary of terms. This book includes beautiful illustrations and accessible information, perfect for all classrooms in the USA and Canada.

Informative read about Squamish people (indigenous people to the pacific NW) and the land/culture. The illustration to this book is fantastic.

This is a sweet book that introduces children to traditional indigenous foraging practices. I especially appreciated the more detailed information about the plants highlighted in the book at the end. It would have been nice to have plants that were all in the same season though, as they were supposedly harvesting spring, summer and late season plants on the same walk.

Written with an Indigenous lens by an ethnobotanist and member of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation. This story follows a nature walk with questions, activities and reflections throughout as we learn about plants and the surrounding ecosystem while learning about Squamish culture and language. The title covers plants, the surrounding ecosystem and connection to the land. With notes for sustainable harvesting and caring for the land and in depth plant profiles in the second half of the book. Perfect for incorporating into your science curriculum.

this is so beautiful and very informative! i love learning other people's culture. i will be purchasing thisd for my toddlers for our homeschool class

*The Land Knows Me* by Leigh Joseph is an immersive journey into the natural world through the lens of Squamish culture. This book invites children to connect with the plants around them, teaching them how Indigenous peoples traditionally view their relationships with plant life—whether it’s for food, medicine, or materials. Through a blend of Squamish language, cultural stories, and hands-on exploration, young readers will discover the many ways plants have been used for generations.

The book emphasizes learning by doing, encouraging children to engage with living plants while learning their names in both Squamish and English. With colorful illustrations and fun activities like crafting, mindfulness, and plant-based recipes, *The Land Knows Me* makes discovering nature both educational and enjoyable. The final section includes a plant directory with safety tips, harvesting guidance, and kid-friendly botanical drawings, making it a great resource for parents and teachers eager to share this knowledge with their children. Whether you’re exploring a forest, crossing a field, or walking down the street, this book will help you see the plants around you in a new, more meaningful light.