Skip to content

Book honours sockeye

Collaboration: Fact-based tale gets touch of fantasy
46089salmonarmBBDeanna-NataliaKawatskicol
Sales pitch: Natalia and Deanna Kawatski at the Salute to the Sockeye

The shores of Adams River were crowded on the weekend as thousands of people viewed millions of sockeye salmon returning to their spawning grounds.

Among the many people on-site were North Shuswap author Deanna Barnhardt Kawatski and her daughter Natalia, who have co-authored a book that pays homage to the sockeye’s cycle of life.

Deanna will share her latest book, Samira, the Singing Salmon at the Shuswap Writer’s Group coffee house, to be held at Choices Restaurant at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 A children’s book, it was written in honour of the sockeye salmon returning home to the Adams River this fall.

Natalia’s bright detailed paintings add another dimension to this whimsical story, based on the actual journey of the salmon, but with the added dimensions of fantasy and song.

Mother and daughter will talk about their collaboration and creation of a book worked on over a four-year period.

Kawatski is the author of seven books, including Wilderness Mother, Clara and Me, Stalking the Wild Heart, and Burning Man, Slaying Dragon. Copies of Samira, the Singing Salmon will be available.

Deanna will also be in Salmon Arm Wednesday night for the launch of Big Trees Saved and other Feats – The Story of the Shuswap Environmental Action Society. It was written to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Shuswap Environmental Action Society.

The event features live music, a multimedia presentation, speakers, including Deanna, and refreshments. It takes place at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the hall at First United Church.

For more information on Samira the Singing Salmon, visit Deanna’s website at www.deannabkawatski.com