Johnny Marks

Books by This Editor

Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy

boy swimming with fish underwater
Illustrated by: Michaela Goade
Age Level: 3-6

Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy?" is a children's story that teaches about respect for nature, animals and culture. After a Tlingit mother gives her son a dried piece of salmon with mold on the end, he flings it away in disgust, committing a taboo. This offends the Salmon People, who sweep him into the water and into their world, where the name him Shanyaak'utlaax or Salmon Boy. It comes from an ancient Tlingit story that was edited by Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora and Richard Dauenhauer.