Book Review: Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons

Reviewed by Alex Hebert

Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons is a new book that is part of a series called: Joshua Learns from the Land. Young Joshua connects with the land, plants, and animals of his Traditional Territory in northeastern Ontario. With the help of his Omushkego Cree and Anishinaabe family, he learns to hunt, fish, and harvest and gather food in every season.

This colourful and warm book invites the reader into this story about Joshua learning from his father about traditional food harvesting as they gather katakipanik/gaaminomaagobagak (mint) from the shores or Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek. The first word is in red in the text and is Omushkegomowin and the second word is in Anishinaabemowin in green.

Joshua has a lot of questions for his dad, just as any other curious child would have. His dad explains what is harvested in the various seasons. When the days grow longer, and the air feels warmer, Joshua sees the green leaves on the birch and maple trees. In the trees, the robins and blue jays are there and now, it is finally time to gather mint.

The author, Tyna Legault Taylor, is from Attawapiskat First Nation. For her master’s research, she explored food justice and ongoing healing through stories of Cree food knowledge and land-based practices (Indigenous food sovereignty) in Attawapiskat First Nation.

The illustrations in this book are adorable created by Michelle Dao who is Vietnamese Canadian.

I loved that this book included a recipe for Mint iced tea.

Mint From the Land Iced Tea (excerpt from Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons)

Ingredients:

1 cup freshly gathered mint from the land (or garden)

8 cups water

Honey to taste (optional)

Method: Rinse freshly gathered mint leaves. Place water in a pot and bring to a boil. Place rinsed mint leaves in the boiling water and remove pot from heat. Steep for ten minutes. Strain the tea mixture into a heat-proof pitcher to separate the leaves from the tea. Stir in 2 to teaspoons of honey (optional). Chill the tea in the refrigerator. Add ice and fresh mint leaves. Share and enjoy!

My mom and I made this with mint that was gifted to my mom from her co-worker. When we sampled the tea, I preferred it with honey, and she did not.

This book also has a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Omushkegomowin and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story. I notice more books are including words to learn in efforts to preserve Indigenous languages.

Other books that will be a part of this new series include Kokum, Are These Moose Tracks? and Mom, Is It Time for the Spring Niska Feast?.

Tyna Legault Taylor, Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons. Winnipeg: HighWater Press, 2025.

ISBN: 978-1774921227