Salmon Run - by Annie Chen (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

​● A Junior Library Guild Gold Selection​
An exquisitely presented account of the life cycle of a Pacific salmon that is sure to entice young naturalists with its accessible design and inviting and informative text

She begins as a tiny orange egg . . . smaller than a pea! Salmon Run follows a Pacific coho salmon as she begins her journey in the freshwater rivers of Washington State, travels to the vast Pacific Ocean, and finally returns to the place of her birth to spawn and begin the cycle of life once again. During this arduous adventure that spans hundreds of miles, she will grow and change through five distinct stages of life: egg, alevin, fry, smolt, and adult. From river to estuary to ocean, she will hide from predators, search for food, and encounter a range of marine environments. With a careful balance of scientific accuracy and luminous illustrations, Salmon Run invites young readers to explore the remarkable life of this keystone species in the North Pacific ecosystem--and the magic of its journey home.

Review Quotes

​● A Junior Library Guild Gold Selection--JLG (8/14/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Beautifully illustrated, with color and design that communicate place, time, and character. [Salmon Run features] an effective design that captures the drama of the moment and solves the scale problem. . . Chen navigates egg to estuary beautifully, with color that supports the scientific information."

--Jason Chin, Caldecott Winner for "Watercress" (8/27/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"With its vibrant, immersive illustrations and fact-filled, fascinating story of one fish's life, Annie Chen gives us a wondrous gift -- a newfound love and appreciation for the resilient Coho salmon." --Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann Sibert Medalists, "Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifora". (8/27/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"[An] eye-opening picture book. . . Concise narration paints a spare but incredible scientific story; watercolors have the translucent feel of sun prints, even as they offer realistic renderings of watery settings."-- "Publishers Weekly" (8/7/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Through realistic and expressive watercolor illustrations, readers journey with an embryo on the banks of the Pacific Northwest's Duwamish River to adulthood in the Pacific Ocean and back. . . enough interesting facts here to delight most nature or animal lovers. Chen includes a panel of facts and terms in the back for those hungry for more. VERDICT A recommended purchase wherever animal books are extremely popular."

-- "School Library Journal" (6/1/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Annie Chen is a designer, illustrator, and scientist who recently graduated with a dual degree in biology from Brown University and industrial design from the Rhode Island School of Design. She grew up among the magical mountains, forests, and streams of northern Georgia and currently resides in Providence, Rhode Island. Salmon Run is her debut children's book. She loves salmon and hopes you will too after reading this book! You can find more about her at anniechen.earth.