There’s something deeply comforting about stories that bring food, family, and culture together—and Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? does exactly that. Written by Tyna Legault Taylor and illustrated by Michelle Dao, this beautifully crafted picture book takes readers on a fall adventure through northern forests, where a young boy named Joshua learns not only how to track moose but also how to connect with his Cree and Anishinaabe heritage through language, land, and food.
The story opens with Joshua’s excitement for tatkwakin (Swampy Cree) or dagwaagin (Ojibwe)—the fall season. It’s the time of year when his Kokum (grandmother) makes her famous moose meat stew for family feasts. But before the cooking can begin, there’s a lesson to be learned on the land. Joshua and Kokum head into the forest, following tracks through muskeg, streams, and lakes. As they search, Kokum teaches him how to recognize the footprints of red foxes, wolves, and black bears before finally discovering the heart-shaped prints of a mooz (moose).
This isn’t just a story about a hunting trip—it’s a story about heritage. Taylor, a member of Attawapiskat First Nation, infuses every page with Omushkegomowin (Swampy Cree) and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language, showing how culture lives through words, stories, and daily practices. The dual-language text (with Omushkegomowin words in brown and Anishinaabemowin in green) encourages readers of all ages to learn and speak these languages alongside the characters. A glossary and pronunciation guide at the back of the book make it easy for families and classrooms to join in the learning. https://www.instagram.com/tynalegaulttaylor/
Of course, at CanadianCookbooks.ca, we can’t help but linger on Kokum’s kitchen. The book ends with a traditional Moose Meat Stew with Dumplings recipe—an earthy, hearty dish that perfectly captures the spirit of the story. Check it out in our Recipe section. With moose (or venison or caribou), root vegetables, and homemade dumplings simmered together, the recipe invites readers to experience a piece of Kokum’s love and tradition firsthand. It’s not just about nourishment—it’s about gratitude, community, and carrying forward the knowledge of the land.
Illustrator Michelle Dao brings warmth and tenderness to the pages with a palette of autumn tones that glow like the setting sun through birch trees. Her artwork captures the quiet bond between grandparent and child, the stillness of the forest, and the joy of shared discovery. You can almost smell the stew bubbling on the stove as the final pages unfold. https://www.michelledaoart.com/
Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series, which highlights Indigenous knowledge through the eyes of a curious and respectful young boy. This installment celebrates fall’s bounty, the importance of sustainable harvesting, and the interconnection of food, land, and family. Go to https://www.portageandmainpress.com/Books/K/Kokum-Are-These-Moose-Tracks and purchase this adorable children’s book or win a copy in our Giveaway section.
Whether you read it aloud with children or explore its culinary connections in your own kitchen, this book is a celebration of Indigenous storytelling that nourishes the heart—and the appetite.
Contents and images used with permission from Highwater Press. Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? by Tyna Legault Taylor. Copyright 2025. https://www.portageandmainpress.com/Books/K/Kokum-Are-These-Moose-Tracks