Natasha Donovan – illustratör

"A brilliant, powerful, must-read for anyone and everyone on planet earth." —Hannah Gold, author of The Last BearThe climate crisis is reaching a critical tipping point—and you might have heard of the countless amazing young people who are taking action and speaking up for change.Emma Reynolds shines a spotlight on sixteen incredible youth activists from around the world who are fighting to protect the planet and all life on Earth. From Autumn Peltier campaigning for clean water to Edgar Edmund Tarimo turning plastic waste into building materials—and many more—these inspiring true stories highlight the importance of taking charge and creating change.Beautifully illustrated by sixteen different artists and accompanied by facts and pictures that explain the science, Drawn to Change the World is for anyone who wants to learn more about the climate and nature crisis and what we can do about it, with extensive front matter and back matter materials.You are not too young and you are not too old to begin. We need everyone to help with the biggest challenge the human race has ever faced. We can do this if we work together.For after all, change starts with you!

How does a strange new place become home?When Ojiig moves to the city with his family, he misses everything they left behind. Most of all, he misses the sparkling night sky. Without the stars watching over him, he feels lost.His parents try to help, but nothing seems to work. Not glow-in-the-dark sticker stars, not a star-shaped nightlight. But then they have a new idea for how to make Ojiig feel better - a special quilt stitched through with family stories that will wrap Ojiig in the warmth of knowing who he is and where he came from. Join this irresistible family as they discover the power of story and tradition to make a new place feel like home.

Borders is a masterfully told story of a boy and his mother whose road trip from Alberta to Salt Lake City is thwarted at the border when they identify their citizenship as Blackfoot. Refusing to identify as either American or Canadian first bars their entry into the US, and then their return into Canada. In the limbo between countries, they find power in their connection to their identity and to each other. This much-anthologized story has been adapted into a gripping graphic novel by award-winning artist Natasha Donovan. A beautifully told tale with broad appeal, Borders resonates deeply with themes of identity, justice, and belonging.

To the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia, the sockeye salmon is more than just a source of food. Over its life cycle, it nourishes the very land and forests that the Skeena River runs through and where the Gitxsan make their home. The Sockeye Mother explores how the animals, water, soil, and seasons are all intertwined.

Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape—they’re so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can’t stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can’t bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez’s community find her before it’s too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don’t?

A great read and teaching tool for National Indigenous History Month!Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through Indigenous wonderworks, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.Each story includes a timeline of related historical events and a personal note from the author. Find cited sources and a select bibliography for further reading in the back of the book. The accompanying teacher guide includes curriculum charts and 12 lesson plans to help educators use the book with their students.This is one of the 200 exceptional projects funded through the Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter initiative. With this $35M initiative, the Council supports the creation and sharing of the arts in communities across Canada.

Book two in the award-winning Mothers of Xsan series, The Grizzly Mother uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life.To the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia, the grizzly is an integral part of the natural landscape. Together, they share the land and forests that the Skeena River runs through, as well as the sockeye salmon within it. Follow mother bear as she teaches her cubs what they need to survive on their own.

Return to the valleys of the River of Mists with author Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) and his award-winning, richly illustrative Mothers of Xsan series. “An incredible celebration of the deep connections that are essential to the relationships between mothers and their children”—The Globe and MailNox xsgyaak, the eagle mother, cares for her brood in the embrace of a black cottonwood with the help of her mate. Will both eaglets survive the summer in an environment that is both delicate and unforgiving?Learn about the life cycle of these stunning birds of prey, the traditions of the Gitxsan, and how bald eagles can enrich their entire ecosystem. Evocative illustration brings the Xsan's flora and fauna to life for middle years readers in book three of the Mothers of Xsan series.

Dez’s grandmother has passed away. Grieving, and with nowhere else to go, they’re living in a group home. On top of everything else, Dez is navigating a new relationship and coming into their identity as a Two-Spirit person. Miikwan is crushing on the school’s new kid Riel, but doesn’t really understand what Dez is going through. Will she learn how to be a supportive ally to her best friend? Elder Geraldine is doing her best to be supportive, but she doesn’t know how to respond when the gendered protocols she’s grown up with are being thrown into question. Will Dez be comfortable expressing their full identity? And will their community relearn the teachings and overcome prejudice to celebrate them for who they are?

To the Gitxsan of Northwestern British Columbia, Nox Ga’naaw is a storyteller, speaking truths of the universe. After Nox Ga’naaw, the frog mother, releases her eggs among the aquatic plants of a pond, the tiny tadpoles are left to fend for themselves. As they hatch, grow legs, and transform into their adult selves, they must avoid the mouths of hungry predators. Will the young frogs survive to spawn their own eggs, continuing a cycle 200 million years in the making?Book four of the Mothers of Xsan series follows the life cycle of the columbia spotted frog. Learn about why this species is of special significance to the Gitxsan and how Nox Ga'naaw and her offspring are essential to the balance that is life.

Follow along as award-winning author Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) introduces young readers to a pack of grey wolves. New pups have just begun to open their eyes, one of which is a striking black female. Every day, her ears grow larger, her eyesight gets sharper, and her legs stretch farther. As she learns to hunt, play, and run with her pack, instinct pulls her to explore beyond her home territory. Will the young wolf’s bold spirit help her find a new pack of her very own?Learn about the life cycle of these magnificent canines, the traditions of the Gitxsan, and how grey wolves contribute to the health of their entire ecosystem.

An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture BookMary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation''s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross''s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all."A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture BookMary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation''s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross''s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all."A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

A mighty river. A long history.For thousands of years, the Elwha River flowed north through the Pacific Northwest, sharing its gifts with the animals, plants, and people along its banks. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, who call themselves the Strong People, caught salmon from the river, taking only what they needed. River, forest, salmon, and Strong People nourished one another.Everything changed when strangers arrived in the 1790s. They did not understand the river’s gifts, and they saw the land and the river as theirs to tame. These strangers built dams, and the environmental consequences were disastrous.Yet this is not the story of a tragedy. Sibert honoree Patricia Newman and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan join forces to tell a tale of hope and renewal, showing how the Strong People, a national park, and others worked together to remove the dams and restore this precious ecosystem so that all could enjoy the river’s gifts once again.

A mighty river. A long history.For thousands of years, the Elwha River flowed north through the Pacific Northwest, sharing its gifts with the animals, plants, and people along its banks. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, who call themselves the Strong People, caught salmon from the river, taking only what they needed. River, forest, salmon, and Strong People nourished one another.Everything changed when strangers arrived in the 1790s. They did not understand the river’s gifts, and they saw the land and the river as theirs to tame. These strangers built dams, and the environmental consequences were disastrous.Yet this is not the story of a tragedy. Sibert honoree Patricia Newman and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan join forces to tell a tale of hope and renewal, showing how the Strong People, a national park, and others worked together to remove the dams and restore this precious ecosystem so that all could enjoy the river’s gifts once again.

“Despegue. ¡Una biografía que llega más allá de las estrellas!”—excelente, Kirkus ReviewsMary Golda Ross trabajaba en muchos proyectos clasificados como ingeniera aeroespacial del siglo XX, y gran parte de lo que hizo sigue siendo secreto hasta el día de hoy. Sin embargo, su trabajo tuvo una importancia enorme para el programa espacial de Estados Unidos, y rompió las barreras como mujer cheroqui en un campo dominado por los hombres. Descubre la historia de cómo una niña enamorada de las matemáticas del noreste de Oklahoma abrió el camino para sí misma y para las demás, recurriendo a valores tradicionales cheroquis durante toda su carrera. Con una prosa atractiva e ilustraciones llamativas, la aclamada autora cheroqui Traci Sorell y la ilustradora mestiza ganadora de premios Natasha Donovan presentan un retrato cautivador de la vida y el trabajo de Mary Golda Ross.An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book"A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."—starred, Kirkus ReviewsMary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation''s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work, now in Spanish.Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross''s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

“Despegue. ¡Una biografía que llega más allá de las estrellas!”—excelente, Kirkus ReviewsMary Golda Ross trabajaba en muchos proyectos clasificados como ingeniera aeroespacial del siglo XX, y gran parte de lo que hizo sigue siendo secreto hasta el día de hoy. Sin embargo, su trabajo tuvo una importancia enorme para el programa espacial de Estados Unidos, y rompió las barreras como mujer cheroqui en un campo dominado por los hombres. Descubre la historia de cómo una niña enamorada de las matemáticas del noreste de Oklahoma abrió el camino para sí misma y para las demás, recurriendo a valores tradicionales cheroquis durante toda su carrera. Con una prosa atractiva e ilustraciones llamativas, la aclamada autora cheroqui Traci Sorell y la ilustradora mestiza ganadora de premios Natasha Donovan presentan un retrato cautivador de la vida y el trabajo de Mary Golda Ross.An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book"A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."—starred, Kirkus ReviewsMary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation''s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work, now in Spanish.Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross''s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

★ Starred selection for CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens 2023!Hoarders. Scavengers. Clever foragers. Bringers of new life. Ravens have many roles, both for the land and in Gitxsan story and song. The sixth book in Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)’s Mothers of Xsan series transports young readers to Northwestern British Columbia, where they will learn about the traditions of the Gitxsan, the lives of ravens, and why these acrobatic flyers are so important to their ecosystem. Follow along as Nox Gaak, the raven mother, teaches her chicks what they need to survive with the help of her flock.

Learn about the life cycles of different kinds of bees in this enlightening picture book. As flowers and trees begin to bud and bloom, Nox Ap, the bee mother, emerges from her winter sleep. To the Gitxsan, she is nature’s gardener. Without her hard work as a pollinator, we could not enjoy the fruits of strawberries and huckleberries. Follow her life from the first thaw of spring to the end of autumn. In the seventh book of Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)’s Mothers of Xsan series, readers will discover the important role of the bumblebee, the honeybee, and the yellow jacket wasp in the Xsan ecosystem.

Miikwan and Dez are in their final year of high school. Poised at the edge of the rest of their lives, they have a lot to decide on. Miikwan and her boyfriend, Riel, are preparing for university, but Dez isn’t sure if that’s what they want for their future. Grief and anger take precedence over their plans after the remains of 215 children are found at a former residential school in British Columbia. The teens struggle with feelings of helplessness in the face of injustice. Can they find the strength to channel their frustration into action towards a more hopeful future? We Are the Medicine is the moving final volume of the best-selling Surviving the City series.

Discover the western red cedar tree’s life cycle in The Cedar Mother, a captivating children’s non-fiction picture book from the award-winning Mothers of Xsan series.Perfect for young scientists (ages 9–12), this latest release invites readers to explore the life cycle of the majestic western red cedar through a beautiful blend of STEM concepts and the traditional Indigenous knowledge and science of the Gitxsan.Meet Nox Sim Gan, the cedar mother. Her story spans centuries and anchors the very landscape. As the seasons shift, readers will observe the vital environmental changes that define her existence:Spring & Summer: Watch as she breathes life into the forest, creating oxygen and offering her soft, green leaves for medicinal tea.Autumn: Discover the "salmon forest" connection, where Nox Sim Gan nourishes herself through the surprising nutrient cycle of local rivers.Winter: See how she provides refuge for small creatures beneath her bark and shelter for birds within her massive limbs.This book delves deep into the secret web of life thriving beneath the soil, teaching readers about ecosystem interconnectedness. From the way she anchors the earth to the final cultural gift she leaves for the Gitxsan at the end of her long life, Nox Sim Gan’s story is a profound testament to the wisdom passed down through generations. Perfect for elementary classrooms, STEM curricula, and home libraries, this story offers a powerful lesson in how to respect and protect our natural world.

Borders is a masterfully told story of a boy and his mother whose road trip is thwarted at the border when they identify their citizenship as Blackfoot. Refusing to identify as either American or Canadian first bars their entry into the US, and then their return into Canada. In the limbo between countries, they find power in their connection to their identity and to each other. Borders explores nationhood from an Indigenous perspective and resonates deeply with themes of identity, justice, and belonging.