Yellowknifer’s debut children’s book sparks love for northern animals

Lifelong Yellowknifer and biologist Dana Harris has published her debut children’s book about a baby muskox’s search for his mother across the tundra.

Titled Maww! Maww! — a sound resembling “mama” — the story follows Lenny the muskox as he meets a variety of northern animals, including foxes, tundra swans, caribou, and bears.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, with a brief stint in Ontario to earn her biology degree, Harris has always loved being outdoors and immersed in nature.

Since becoming a mother in 2021, she has spent countless hours reading to her children, which eventually inspired her to write a story of her own.

“I wanted to write a story that features some of the really cool animals I’ve seen through my work as an environmental person,” said Harris. “You read so many stories about giraffes, elephants, or lions, but those aren’t animals we see here unless we’re at a zoo or lucky enough to travel.”

Harris said she wanted to showcase wildlife her children might actually encounter growing up in the North.

“And for kids who aren’t from here, they can pick up these books and think, ‘Oh, the North is really cool!’” she said.

As a first-time author, Harris believes three things make a great children’s book: beautiful illustrations, rhythmic text, and hidden details for readers to find.

“I know you’re not supposed to, but I definitely judge books by their covers, especially for kids’ books, because you read them so many times, and you want something pretty to look at,” she said.

The book is illustrated by Lianne Plamondon, who studied graphic design and illustration at the Alberta University of the Arts and has lived in Yellowknife since 2016. She’s also the founder of Wild Creative, a local boutique design studio.

“It’s my first time working with her, and right off the bat she just climbed into my brain and knew exactly what I wanted,” said Harris. “She nailed it perfectly.”

After three years in the making, Harris said she’s thrilled to see her book finally on store shelves.

“One of my first customers, he’s four years old, told me it inspired him to write his own story and draw his own little pictures,” she said. “I hope it inspires other kids to get creative and use their imagination too.”

Harris said she doesn’t have immediate plans to write another book, but the process was fun and rewarding.

“I just hope it sparks conversations about the incredible animals that call the North home,” she said.

Harris will be signing copies of Maww! Maww! During the annual Northern Book Fair at the Yellowknife Visitor Centre on November 8, from 10 am to 2 pm.