Wild Bog Tea

by Annette LeBox, Harvey Chan (Illustrator)

This story beautifully describes the gradual development of a bog. A boy and his grandfather visit a newly formed bog and observe bog orchids, sandhill cranes, and wild plum; then they go home and make wild bog tea. As the narrator grows into a man, he continues to visit the special place with his grandfather, and they watch it mature into a full-fledged bog. Finally, after his grandfather’s death, the man revisits the bog and remembers the years of his boyhood.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2001

About the author

Annette LeBox is an environmental activist and award-winning author of six picture books and two YA novels. Her latest picture book is Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate, illustrated by Crystal Smith and published by Groundwood Books. Mother Aspen was published in September, 2024. As a founding member and director of the Pitt Polder Preservation Society, Annette was a major stakeholder in the conservation of two British Columbia Regional Parks: Blaney Bog and Codd Wetlands.

Her picture book, Salmon Creek, was awarded the British Columbia Book prize for illustrated literature in 2002. Circle of Cranes, a YA novel, by Dial Books, Penguin U.S. was shortlisted for the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. Her latest picture book, Peace is an Offering won the 2016 BC Book Prize for Illustrated Literature. Formerly from Ontario, Annette lives in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. She is married to Michael Sather.

Reviews

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story set in the Blaney Bog in Maple Ridge Canada,follows the life of a man and a bog through the eyes of the man's grandson. When the man was little, he would row a patched up boat through the "baby bog", a marsh with cattails and reeds. As the years rolled by, the marsh dried up and moss crept in the edges, and peat was formed. On the day the grandson was born the man discovered bog orchids. He told his grandson the orchids were a sign of the celebration of his birth. As the grandson grew, he spend many hours in the bog with his grandfather, learning the plants and animals and dancing with the cranes. Before they went home, they tucked sprigs of Labrador Tea in their pockets and made tea when they arrived. Eventually the grandson goes off to live in the city, and the grandfather's life moves on. The author's note at the end describes more fully how a bog is formed, it's ecosystem, and it's importance in the environment, and how it can end as well.

[Tyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice illistrations in pencil and paper tearing. Gave definitions of Bogs, how they are formed and what lives in them. Related human life and changes compared to the bog life cycle.

helps teach ecosystems and life cycles.

[Marmot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with a really neat sketched style, and a sweet story that me and my youngest child enjoyed together. One of the better books we've gotten from the library lately!