Recent Reads - Dear Dandelion
Do you ever read children’s books just for fun? I know someone who used to gift them to lawyers, believing they served as gentle reminders of the principles of goodness we learn as children. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy adding a few to my reading list each year. When I see one that catches my eye, I often request it from the local library. There’s something delightfully refreshing about simple, meaningful stories—they add a touch of whimsy to my reading routine. I also tend to appreciate the beautiful illustrations, which bring the stories to life.
Âmî Osâwâpikones (Dear Dandelion) is a lovely story book written and illustrated by a Canadian Author, SJ Okemow. She worked with individuals at the Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity to bring this project to life as part of the “Animating Our Stories” program.
Description: A debut picture book that celebrates self-love, care, and resilience with one of the most widespread plants—the dandelion. Both a love letter to the dandelion and a call to love ourselves in a difficult world, Âmî Osâwâpikones reminds us that we are not defined as others see us. Following our young protagonist and the dandelions through the seasons, we are reminded that we are resilient, we are healers, we are funny, and we are loved.
I can’t claim to be between the ages of 4-7, but I felt that the author found a solid balance - providing an enjoyable journey through the seasons as a dandelion while including an author’s note which highlights a few items for adults.
Including:
- The dandelion was brought over in the mid-1600s by settlers
(I will add that the resources I’ve read all indicate that they were brought on purpose as a valuable food and medicine). - That although dandelions are not native to this land, they provide much value to the ecosystem here. (They are considered a naturalized species - a non-native plant, animal, or organism that has been introduced to a new area and has successfully established itself in the local environment. Unlike invasive species, naturalized species do not necessarily cause harm to the ecosystem, economy, or human health—they simply coexist and reproduce in the new habitat without requiring human cultivation or assistance.)
- That society is obsessed with lawns and controlling landscapes, and she hopes “people will rethink why some plants are considered weeds and start to see the beauty of their resilience.”
I am personally feeling very drawn to the dandelion this year, so this book has left me even more excited for their return in the Spring. The bees that were featured in most of the illustrations also resonated with me, reminding me of our honeybees who are patiently waiting out the winter until they can again visit our local flowers. And our native bees too, like the sweet queen bumblebees sleeping underground.
She also associated a number of words with the dandelion that I feel are more appropriate than the unwarranted titles they are typically given. Woven throughout the book were labels of joy bringer, brave, strong, courageous, precious, bouquet of light, gift, soft, graceful, inviting, rooted, patient, magic, healer, giving, kind, generous, resilient. Beautiful words.
And the book also provided opportunity to learn words of other languages, specifically Plains Cree (y dialect):
- Âmî (Ah-me) - Dear, or a term of endearment
- osâwâpikones (Oh-sa-wah-pi-cones) - Dandelion
- wâpikwaniy (Wa-pick-wah-nee) - Flower
- sîpihkâw (Si-pi-kah) - Resilient
- kisâkihitin (Ki-sa-gi-tin) - I love you
Dandelions will always have a place in my lawn, on my table, and in my heart. 😉
“Even when things are hard, you still bloom.” - SJ Okemow
Want to read it yourself (or get a copy for a child or lawyer)?
If you’d like your own copy and want to support Deep Woods Dietitian projects, please use this affiliate link. Or grab a copy from your local bookstore.
Remember: Public libraries are always a fantastic option too — you can borrow it instead! 😄