Robin Wall Kimmerer‘s “The Serviceberry” (Indigo-Chapters, Amazon.ca, Bookshop.org) is on my list of books to read during my study leave, and seemed like a good one to start with. The book is quite small (112 pages, including a few pages of lovely illustrations by John Burgoyne), though I hadn’t been aware of that when I bought it. I ordered the book as soon as I learned it would be available, based on how much I appreciated her previous one, “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” (Indigo-Chapters, Bookshop.org). I had not read any reviews nor much background (such as the fact that the book originated from an essay), so the dimensions were a surprise!

I wasn’t sure how much I’d get out of the tiny tome in terms of my professional development, but I love Kimmerer’s writing, and thought it might be an easy read. In some ways, it was – it didn’t take long to finish – but it shares serious ideas. Kimmerer did not disappoint me as an author – she has a rare gift for sharing stories, facts, ideas, and suggestions in clear and beautiful writing, applying light humour or revealing weighty points as appropriate.