• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3

In her third book inspired by First Nations’ stories, children’s author and illustrator Caroll Simpson explains the significance of community values. She introduces readers to a world of creatures like Sea Lion, Killer Whale, Dogfish and Kingfisher. Her dramatic tale of young twins and their transformation shows how working together keeps a community healthy.

When new twins are born in a mythical Pacific Coast village, everyone celebrates because the birth of twins is a rare occasion; twins are the children of the salmon. But when the twins grow selfish and greedy, Thunderbird transforms them into a Two-Headed Sea Serpent. Can the Serpent’s heads learn to work together? The question becomes more important when the salmon don’t run up the river and the villagers start to go hungry. The Serpent’s heads have to co-operate with each other to solve the mystery and restore the salmon run.

Written for children aged 3 to 10, this charming story is illustrated with Simpson’s distinctive colour paintings that celebrate First Nations culture. A glossary of mythical creatures and sea life provides informative teaching points and invites further exploration of West Coast cultures.

Caroll Simpson taught Native art and drama to grade-school children for many years before buying a remote fishing lodge, called Ookpik Wilderness Lodge, in the northern interior of British Columbia. Located on Babine Lake, it is accessible only by boat in the summer months and by snowshoes during the winter.

Caroll spends the off-season writing and painting. She sees her work as a celebration of the legends and art of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. Her love for the art and history of the First Peoples of North America started when she was a young girl. She began studying Indian history and made her first moccasins at age 10, graduating to making leather clothing by the time she was 13. She still does leatherwork, and she has also made cradleboards for more than 30 years. Her love and respect for First Nations traditions is matched by her love for animals and nature.

Caroll Simpson's profile page

"I don’t fancy myself an art connoisseur; therefore, I was happy to see a list of resources for those interested in learning more about First Nations art, history, and mythology. There is so much potential for further study, add-on activities, and discussion for homeschoolers or for elementary school classrooms. I highly recommend this gorgeous book for children ages 3 to 8 years old." —Mother Daugher Book Reviews

“I want to say that if anyone has any hesitation in booking Caroll for their school or library they need to hesitate no longer! Caroll's presentation, with beautiful photos of her cabin, the wilderness surrounding it and the local wildlife enthralled everyone. Her personal stories about visiting the aboriginal people to gather material for her books was fascinating and humorous. When her books were read and her beautiful paintings filled the screen, the children and adults in the audience were in awe, and they hung on to every word. In summary, Caroll is a terrific writer, a wonderful artist and a very entertaining speaker, one which which any school or library, would greatly enjoy having as a visiting author.” —Laurie Shaw, Acting Librarian, Kenora Catholic District School Board

"Salmon Twinsis an original tale steeped in Pacific First Nations tradition and inspired by well-known First Nations art sources such as Hilary Stewart, Bill Reid, Franz Boas, Cheryl Shearar, and Pat Kramer. Simpson’s illustrations are rich in depth and colour and show a definite respect for and understanding of First Nations culture, art, and people." —April Hilland, The Deakin Review of Children's Literature