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Native American Heritage Month Recommended Reads for Children |
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Fry bread : a Native American family story
by Noble Maillard
A celebration of the long-cherished Seminole Nation tradition of sharing fry bread during family meals combines evocative verses with vibrant artwork by the award-winning illustrator of La Princesa and the Pea. Illustrations.
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We are grateful : otsaliheliga
by Traci Sorell
"Follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences of otsaliheliga, or gratitude, for the blessings and challenges that each season brings; complete with the Cherokee syllabary"
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We are water protectors
by Carole Lindstrom
When a black snake threatens to destroy the earth, one young water protector takes a stand to defend the planet's water, in a tale inspired by the many indigenous-led conservation movements across North America
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Bowwow powwow : bagosenjige-niimi?idim
by Brenda J. Child
"When Uncle and Windy Girl attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Uncle's stories inspire visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. In these magical scenes, Windy sees veterans in a Grand Entry, and a visiting drum group, and traditional dancers, grass dancers, and jingle-dress dancers--all with telltale ears and paws and tails. All celebrating in song and dance. All attesting to the wonder of the powwow."--Provided by publisher
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Chooch helped
by Andrea L. Rogers
"A Cherokee girl introduces her younger brother to their family's traditions--begrudgingly!...Sissy's younger brother, Chooch, isn't a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does..their parents say he's just 'helping.' Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When Oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps...'Hlesdi!' Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears"
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Thunder Boy Jr.
by Sherman Alexie
A first picture book by the National Book Award-winning author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian follows the experiences of a young boy who longs to earn a name of his own that reflects something special that he has done. Illustrated by the Caldecott Honor-winning artist of Viva Frida.
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Being home
by Traci Sorell
"Moving back to their ancestral land, a joy-filled Cherokee girl draws the changing landscape as they travel along, looking forward to the end of the journey were she'll be with family and settle into the new rhythm of home. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations."
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My powerful hair
by Carole Lindstrom
In this empowering story about family history, self-expression and reclaiming your identity, a young girl cannot wait to grow her hair long to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her. 100,000 first printing. Illustrations.
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Molly of Denali : little dog lost
by Book Author
A series of books at different reading levels retell key moments from episodes of the PBS Kids television show, Molly of Denali, in which Molly and her family run the Denali Trading Post and general store in their small Alaskan wilderness town. Molly's life and adventures are enhanced, illuminated, kept-on-track and flat-out saved by maps, calendars, charts, weather reports, historical archives, photos and more. TV tie-in. Original. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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The used-to-be best friend / : The Used-to-be Best Friend
by Dawn Quigley
"Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn--about how good Jo Jo isat cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly. Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore"
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Ancestor approved : intertribal stories for kids
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
A volume of interconnected stories and poems set at a Native American Dance for Mother Earth Powwow celebration in Ann Arbor, Michigan, includes contributions by such new and veteran writers as Joseph Bruchac, Dawn Quigley, and Traci Sorell
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Rez dogs
by Bruchac, Joseph
When the COVID-19 pandemic starts, Malian, a young Wabanaki girl, is quarantined with her grandparents on the reservation, where she befriends a local dog and learns about her ancestors and how they always survive together. Simultaneous eBook.
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Healer of the water monster
by Brian Young
While spending the summer with his grandmother, eleven-year-old Navajo Nathan Todacheenie ends up on a quest to enter the Third World and heal a Holy Being suffering from radiation poisoning as well as save his uncle Jet, who has returned from military service in desperate need of a traditional ceremony that he does not want
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I can make this promise
by Christine Day
"When twelve-year-old Edie finds letters and photographs in her attic that change everything she thought she knew about her Native American mother's adoption, she realizes she has a lot to learn about her family's history and her own identity"
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Finding my dance
by Ria Thundercloud
A professional Indigenous dancer, the author shares her dance journey, from dreaming of her future to performing as a professional, in this debut picture book filled with eye-catching illustrations that bring her graceful movements to life. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
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Sharice's big voice : a native kid becomes a congresswoman
by Sharice Davids
Rich, vivid illustrations by Ojibwe Woodland artist Pawis-Steckley are delivered in a graphic style that honors Indigenous people. The bold artwork adds impact to the compelling text. (Kirkus starred review) The prose is reminiscent of an inspirational speech ("Everyone's path looks different"), with a message of service that includes fun biographical facts, such as her love of Bruce Lee. Pawis-Steckley (who is Ojibwe Woodland) contributes boldly lined and colored digital illustrations, inflected with Native symbols and bold colors. A hopeful and accessible picture book profile. (Publishers Weekly) This picture book autobiography tells the triumphant story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she'd be in Congress. And she never thought she'd be one of the first Native American women in Congress. During her campaign, she heard from a lot of doubters. They said she couldn't win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from. But here's the thing: Everyone's path looks different and everyone's path has obstacles. And this is the remarkable story of Sharice Davids' path to Congress. Beautifully illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, an Ojibwe Woodland artist, this powerful autobiographical picture book teaches readers to use their big voice and that everyone deserves to be seen--and heard! The back matter includes information aboutthe Ho-Chunk written by former Ho-Chunk President Jon Greendeer, an artist note, and an inspiring letter to children from Sharice Davids
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Who was Sitting Bull?
by Stephanie Spinner
Profiles the life and accomplishments of Sitting Bull, tribal chief and holy man of the Lakota Sioux tribe during a period of fierce conflict with the United States government
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