Former Sudburian Danielle Daniel released her newest picture book in the “Sometimes I Feel Like” series this week.
Following the massive success of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a River,” “Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak” explores the nature and beauty of trees.
Twelve lyrical poems look at twelve different trees, from early spring to deep winter. In each poem, a child identifies with a feature of the tree — such as the smooth trunk of a birch whose bark has peeled away or the strong branches of a spruce that shelter small birds.
The poems provide an opportunity to learn about each tree, inspiring us to look afresh at the trees around us and get to know them better.
In an author’s note, Daniel shares her belief, similar to that of her Algonquin ancestors, that trees are sentient beings with much to give and teach us.
Daniel is an award-winning author and illustrator whose journey into artmaking and book publishing has gone hand in hand with all she has learned — and continues to learn — about her Indigenous ancestry and her relationship with the land.
Her picture books include “Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox” (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award), “Sometimes I Feel Like a River” and “Once in a Blue Moon.” Daniel lives on Manitoulin Island with her family.
Illustrator Jackie Traverse is Ojibway from Lake St. Martin First Nation.
She graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba and works as a multidisciplinary artist. She draws inspiration from her culture for her award-winning art, which often speaks to the realities of being an Indigenous woman. Traverse lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
