This book is another poetic non-fiction picture book about Pacific salmon. This story is from the perspective of a salmon, a coho named Sumi, from birth to spawn... and eventually, death. All of the phases of Sumi's life are portrayed, from her trip down river to the ocean, to her time as a fully mature fish, to the obstacles between her and her spawning ground. I think this book is a great example of POV writing, as well as teaches more depth within the life cycle of the salmon, including what happens after the Salmon spawn.

The book outlines the stages of a Coho salmon's life from birth to death. The reader follows Sumi, a baby salmon born in a creek, on her journey to the sea and back to her birhplace to mate, lay eggs and then die.
The beautiful pictures and narrative story makes this book a good education tool. It teaches children how the pacific salmon is endangered and what kids can do to help. Also, if kids enjoy this book about salmon, there are other books about other fish referenced at the back of the book. It is appropriate for ages 5-10. ( )

A wonderful resource for children interested in our natural world and students studying Pacific salmon, Salmon Creek is a beautifully illustrated picture book about one Coho salmon: Sumi. Beginning when Sumi first feels and hears the creek around her, “Sumi was blind, but she could hear the wind whispering through the cedars. She could hear the creek stones lifting and falling as the salmon mothers built their nests. And if she pressed against the curve of her egg, she could hear her salmon mother singing. Home is the scent of cedar and creek. Home is the journey’s end.” Richly detailed illustrations show us the wildlife that frequents the banks of the stream (bears, raccoons, heron, ducks and eagles) and Sumi’s growth and travels from alevin to fry, smolt and finally a fully grown fish, ready to spawn.

The afterward includes illustrations of and information about the life cycle of the Coho salmon, a commentary regarding threats to wild salmon, additional resources, a glossary and suggestions for how kids can help.