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Dragon’s Tears
by Brent Gates


At Elk Falls on Vancouver Island, the children gather around the campfire, ready for one of Nana Kelly’s stories. She tells them of a time, long ago, when dragons were born from the love of forest creatures and the flames from the Great Spirit’s fire. As the wood burned low, that love and warmth filled the logs—and the Great Spirit transformed them into glowing dragon hearts and heads. Lifted by the fire, the heads floated toward the falls, where only the rushing water could give them bodies and give them life. But when the ancient forests were cut down, only one dragon remained. Lonely and full of sorrow, it wept—until one night, the dragon’s tear met a glowing ember . . . Momo, carrying her heart in her mouth, must find her way to the falls before her small body fades. With help from the Princess of Peace and a river full of salmon, Momo races against time to complete her transformation into a dragon. A story as old as the forests and the falls, Dragon’s Tears shows how love, courage, and the kindness of others can bring something beautiful back to life.

www.nanakellyseries.ca


Brent Gates is a Penelakut First Nations artist based in Campbell River, BC. Inspired by the Storytelling Traditions of his people, Dragon’s Tears is Brent’s first book and a reflection of the Stories that shaped him growing up. Brent credits his grandmother, Mary Capilano, for sparking his interest in storytelling. As a father of three, he has always encouraged his children to dream big and stay connected to nature and imagination. When he’s not sculpting dragons in his studio, Brent enjoys kayaking, hiking, and meaningful conversations. He lives with his sister, brother-in-law, their dogs, and Murphy the bird. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) as Brent Gates Barbarian Artist.


Contributors

Author
Brent Gates
Illustrator
Tyra Schad


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