New Native American Children's Books - CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature - Research Guides at University of Cincinnati

NEW Native American Children's Literature

by Rachel Hoople on 2023-07-21T09:00:00-04:00 | 0 Comments

The Apple Tree by Sandy Tharp-Thee; Marlena Campbell-Hodson (Illustrator); Patrick Rochford (Translator)

Call Number: E THA

ISBN: 9781937054038

Publication Date: 2015

A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, and as soon as a seedling appears he can see the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree isn't so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling, especially after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? Story in English with Cherokee translation.

Muskrat Will Be Swimming by Cheryl Savageau; Robert Hynes (Illustrator)

Call Number: E SAV

ISBN: 9780884482802

Publication Date: 2006

When she confides her troubles to her grandfather, he tells her about his own childhood experiences with teasing. As the story unfolds, the grandfather shares a traditional Seneca story that helps Jeannie to find strength in her Native identity and a new appreciation for the different roles that animals play in nature. This is a quiet book that celebrates family and place and the teachings of Native people. Muskrat Will Be Swimming is based on a real incident in Cheryl Savageau's life.Muskrat Will Be Swimming will help inspire classroom conversations about: Teasing and bullying Storytelling traditions and customs in Native and non-Native families The Seneca creation story and creation stories in general Traditions of the Sky Woman in Native stories Contemporary Native American families and building connections to tribal identity Native identity and mixed-blood ancestry Significance of dreams in Native culture The role of animals as teachers in Abenaki culture Animals of the forest The Abenaki view towards the natural environment The value of experiences in the natural world for children's growth F&P Text Level R

Unstoppable by Art Coulson; Nick Hardcastle (Illustrator)

Call Number: B THO

ISBN: 9781543504064

Publication Date: 2018

In the autumn of 1912, the football team from Carlisle Indian Industrial School took the field at the U.S. Military Academy, home to the bigger, stronger, and better-equipped West Points Cadets. Sportswriters billed the game as a sort of rematch, pitting against each other the descendants of U.S. soldiers and American Indians who fought on the battlefield only 20 years earlier. But for lightning-fast Jim Thorpe and the other Carlisle players, that day's game was about skill, strategy, and determination. Known for unusual formations and innovative plays, the Carlisle squad was out to prove just one thing -- that it was the best football team in all the land.

Shaped by Her Hands by Anna Harber Freeman; Barbara Gonzales; Aphelandra (Illustrator)

Call Number: B MAR

ISBN: 9780807575994

Publication Date: 2021

The untold story of a Native American Indian potter who changed her field. The most renowned Native American Indian potter of her time, Maria Povika Martinez learned pottery as a child under the guiding hands of her ko-ōo, her aunt. She grew up to discover a new firing technique that turned her pots black and shiny, and made them--and Maria--famous.

Meet Christopher by Genevieve Simermeyer; Katherine Fogden (Photographer)

Call Number: j978.004 SIM

ISBN: 9781571782175

Publication Date: 2008

Join Christopher and his family at the annual I'n-lon-shka Dances on the Osage Reservation, where they gather for outdoor feasts, dress in their traditional outfits, and dance with the entire community. Go fishing at the lake with Christopher and his brothers, hear him play the trombone in music class, and learn the Osage language as he learns it, too. Watch Christopher's mum practise finger weaving, and meet his grandmother, who works at the Osage tribal museum. Learn the stories of Osage ancestors, those who hunted buffalo and lived in hide-covered lodges, and those who first learned to drive cars and pilot airplanes.

I See Me by Margaret Manuel

Call Number: E MAN Board Book

ISBN: 9781894778855

Publication Date: 2009

Eating and sleeping are two popular pastimes for babies, but that's not all they do. I See Me provides a tender snapshot of what a child's day--or hour--might look like. Each adorable image includes an English caption with space below for parents to translate the word into their own language.

The First Day by Katherena Vermette; Irene Kuziw (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VER

ISBN: 9781553795216

Publication Date: 2014

Makwa's family just moved to the city, and it's his first day at a new school. He doesn't know anybody, he doesn't have any friends, and everything is so new and scary. Can Makwa find the courage to overcome his fears and enjoy his first day? In this relatable story, a young Anishinaabe boy learns that things that seem scary at first are often not so bad after all. A pronunciation guide for the Anishnaabemowin words can be found at the back of the book.

The Forever Sky by Thomas Peacock; Annette S. Lee (Illustrator)

Call Number: E PEA

ISBN: 9781681340982

Publication Date: 2019

One night, a beautiful show of lights fills the sky. Niigaanii explains that the northern lights are the spirits of the relatives who have passed on. The boys imagine different relatives dancing, lighting up the sky with their graceful movements. And then they see her: Nooko is one of the elders leading the dance. She has a message for them. One they can share with their parents and their uncle and everyone else who remembers her. One that lends power to the skies and brings smiles to the stargazers' faces.

Nibi Is Water by Joanne Robertson

Call Number: E ROB

ISBN: 9781772601329

Publication Date: 2020

A first conversation about the importance of Nibi, which means water in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), and our role to thank, respect, love, and protect it. Babies and toddlers can follow Nibi as it rains and snows, splashes or rows, drips and sips. Written from an Anishinaabe water protector's perspective, the book is in dual language: English and Anishinaabemowin.

Minnesota Native American Lives: Charles Albert Bender by Eden Bart (Editor)

Call Number: B BEN

ISBN: 9781634893657

Publication Date: 2020

Charles Albert Bender invented the slider. He was a World Series-winning pitcher and the first Minnesotan inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He grew up poor on a farm where he worked in the fields. He lived far away from his home and family while attending an Indian boarding school in Pennsylvania. Charles Albert Bender worked hard all his life and defined his success by the amount of effort he put into something.

Do All Indians Live in Tipis? Second Edition by NMAI

Call Number: j970.00497 NAT

ISBN: 9781588346193

Publication Date: 2018

How much do you really know about totem poles, tipis, and Tonto? There are hundreds of Native tribes in the Americas, and there may be thousands of misconceptions about Native customs, culture, and history. In this illustrated guide, experts from Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian debunk common myths and answer frequently asked questions about Native Americans past and present.

Powwow by Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane

Call Number: j394 PHE

ISBN: 9781459812345

Publication Date: 2020

Journey through the history of powwow culture in North America, from its origins to the thriving powwow culture of today. As a lifelong competitive powwow dancer, Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane is a guide to the protocols, regalia, songs, dances and even food you can find at powwows from coast to coast, as well as the important role they play in Indigenous culture and reconciliation.

The Range Eternal by Louise Erdrich; Steve Johnson (Illustrator); Lou Fancher (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ERD

ISBN: 9781517910983

Publication Date: 2020

The story of a girlhood lived in the glow of a woodstove from one of the country's most distinguished and beloved authors, now back in print At the heart of a home in the Turtle Mountains sits a woodstove. It is where Mama makes her good soup, where she cooks a potato for warming hands on icy mornings, where she heats a stone for warming cold toes at night. It warms the winter nights and keeps Windigo, the ice monster, at bay.

A Walk to the Great Mystery by Virginia A. Stroud (Illustrator)

Call Number: E STR

ISBN: 9780803716360

Publication Date: 1995

While exploring the woods with their grandmother, a Cherokee medicine woman, two children learn about the spirit of life that is all around them and within them as well.

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck; Jonathan Nelson (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GOO

ISBN: 9781623542924

Publication Date: 2022

In this Native American story, Kara and Amanda are best-friend cousins. Then Kara leaves the city to move back to the Rez. Will their friendship stay the same? Kara and Amanda hate not being together. Then it's time for the family reunion on the Rez. Each girl worries that the other hasn't missed her. But once they reconnect, they realize that they are still forever cousins. This story highlights the ongoing impact of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act on Native families, even today.

The Cloud Artist by Sherri Maret; Merisha Sequoia Clark (Illustrator)

Call Number: E MAR

ISBN: 9781937054748

Publication Date: 2017

Born with the gift of painting with the clouds, Leona, a little Choctaw girl, uses the Oklahoma sky as her canvas to the delight of her people. When a traveling hawker hears about her talent and invites her to join the carnival, the Cloud Artist must make a decision about what kind of artist she wants to be.

Urban Tribes by Lisa Charleyboy; Mary Beth Leatherdale

Call Number: j305.897071 URB

ISBN: 9781554517503

Publication Date: 2015

Young, urban Natives powerfully show how their culture and values can survive--and enrich--city life. Much of the popular discourse on Native Americans and Aboriginals focuses on reservation life. But the majority of Natives in North America live off the rez. How do they stay rooted to their culture? How do they connect with their community? Urban Tribes offers unique insight into this growing and often misperceived group. Emotionally potent and visually arresting, the anthology profiles young urban Natives from across North America, exploring how they connect with Native culture and values in their contemporary lives. From a young Dene woman pursuing a MBA at Stanford to a Pima photographer in Phoenix to a Mohawk actress in New York, these urban Natives share their unique perspectives to bridge the divide between their past and their future, their cultural home, and their adopted cities. Unflinchingly honest and deeply moving, contributors explore a wide-range of topics.

Mary and the Trail of Tears by Andrea L. Rogers; Matt Forsyth (Illustrator)

Call Number: J ROG

ISBN: 9781496587145

Publication Date: 2020

Twelve-year-old Mary and her Cherokee family are forced out of their home in Georgia by U.S. soldiers in May 1838. From the beginning of the forced move, Mary and her family are separated from her father. Facing horrors such as internment, violence, disease, and harsh weather, Mary perseveres and helps keep her family and friends together until they can reach the new Cherokee nation in Indian Territory. Featuring nonfiction support material, a glossary, and reader response questions, this Girls Survive story explores the tragedy of forced removals following the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Powwow Summer by Marcie R. Rendon; Cheryl Walsh Bellville (Photographer)

Call Number: j394.3097 REN

ISBN: 9780873519106

Publication Date: 2013

Life is a circle, just like the seasons, from youth through old age. The circle of the year brings seasonal rituals: a winter of preparation followed by a summer of powwows. Sharyl and Windy Downwind and their children travel from their home on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota to powwows all around the region. For the past year, their oldest daughter, Shian, has been honored as junior princess for Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School. At the Leech Lake Memorial Day gathering, Shian will hand over her crown to the next princess. Later that summer, the family attends the Red Lake Fourth of July powwow seeking healing and comfort. Windy is mourning his mother, who recently passed away, and also honoring her by dancing at the powwow. At ceremonies and in daily life, Windy and Sharyl celebrate Anishinaabe culture by teaching their children traditional skills, dance steps, and lifeways, all part of the circle of community and the seasons and life.

Nibi Emosaawdang / the Water Walker by Joanne Robertson; Shirley Williams (Translator); Isadore Toulouse (Translator)

Call Number: E ROB

ISBN: 9781772601008

Publication Date: 2019

The dual language edition, in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and English, of The Water Walker, the award-winning story of a determined Ojibwe Nokomis (Grandmother) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Nokomis walked to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men, and youth, have walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations.

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell; Madelyn Goodnight (Illustrator)

Call Number: E SOR

ISBN: 9781580899482

Publication Date: 2022

River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again? River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community. Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors.

Girls Dance, Boy Fiddle by Carole Lindstrom; Kimberly McKay (Illustrator)

Call Number: E LIN

ISBN: 9781894717823

Publication Date: 2015

What incredible pluck! Why does young Metisse insist on playing her fiddle for Grandmother's birthday when everyone knows girls are supposed to dance and leave the fiddling to the boys? It could be because Metisse feels the rhythm of tradition in more than one way.

Kiki's Journey by Kristy Orona-Ramirez; Jonathan Warm Day (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ORO

ISBN: 9780892394104

Publication Date: 2017

Kiki and her parents travel back to the Taos Pueblo reservation where she was born to learn more about their Tiwa Indian heritage. Kiki is a city girl who calls Los Angeles home. But home is also a place filled with expressions of her family's Tiwa Indian heritage. Her parents left the Taos Pueblo reservation long ago, and Kiki hasn't been back since she was a baby. She hardly even remembers what the Pueblo is like, until she returns with her parents during spring break. Suddenly, Kiki feels like a tourist in a place that should feel like home.

Nibi's Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco; Chief Lady Bird (Illustrator)

Call Number: E TEN

ISBN: 9781643794822

Publication Date: 2021

When Nibi, an Indigenous girl, turns the tap in her house, only mucky brown water comes out. That starts her on a search for clean water to drink. Though she must face polluted rivers, unfriendly neighbors, and her own temporary discouragement, Nibi's joyful energy becomes a catalyst for change and action as her community rallies around her to make clean drinking water available for all. The hopeful tone and lively read-aloud quality of the text open the door to conversations and action with young children, while the distinctive, delightful artwork conveys the themes of vitality, resistance, and resilience.

The Pencil by Susan Avingaq; Maren Vsetula; Charlene Chua (Illustrator)

Call Number: E AVI

ISBN: 9781772272161

Publication Date: 2019

Kirkus Reviews Susan and her sister, Rebecca, love watching their mother write letters to people in other camps. Their mother has one precious pencil, and she keeps it safe in her box for special things. One afternoon, their mother leaves the iglu to help a neighbour, and Susan, Rebecca, and their brother Peter are left with their father. They play all their regular games but are soon out of things to do--until their father brings out the pencil! As Susan draws and draws, the pencil grows shorter and shorter. What will their mother think when she comes home?

You Hold Me up / Gimanaadenim by Monique Gray Smith; Danielle Daniel (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GRA

ISBN: 9781459827196

Publication Date: 2021

Encourage children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other's well-being in their everyday actions. You Hold Me Up prompts a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with others. With vibrant illustrations from celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, this is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

Where Wonder Grows by Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrator); Xelena González

Call Number: E GON

ISBN: 9781947627468

Publication Date: 2022

When Grandma walks to her special garden, her granddaughters know to follow her there. Grandma invites the girls to explore her collection of treasures--magical rocks, crystals, seashells, and meteorites--to see what wonders they reveal. As her granddaughters look closely, the treasures spark the girls' imaginations. They find stories in the strength of rocks shaped by volcanoes, the cleansing power of beautiful crystals, the mystery of the sea that houses shells and shapes the environment, and the long journey meteorites took to find their way to Earth. This is the power of Grandma's special garden, where wonder grows and stories blossom.

We Sang You Home / Kikî-Kîwê-nikamôstamâtinân by Richard Van Camp; Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VAN

ISBN: 9781459836365

Publication Date: 2022

In this sweet and lyrical picture book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhythmic text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith; Nicole Neidhardt (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GRA

ISBN: 9781459825222

Publication Date: 2020

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives.

Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie; Julie Flett (Illustrator, Illustrator)

Call Number: E SAI

ISBN: 9781771648073

Publication Date: 2022

Still This Love Goes On combines Flett's breathtaking art with vivid lyrics to craft a stunning portrait of a Cree worldview. At the heart of this picture book is a gentle message about missing our loved ones, and the promise of seeing each other again.

Singing Sisters by Katherena Vermette; Irene Kuziw (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VER

ISBN: 9781553795209

Publication Date: 2014

Ma'iingan loves to sing and her family loves to hear her beautiful voice. Her little sister wants to sing just like Ma'iingan, but Ma'iingan doesn't want her to. As rivalry erupts between the siblings, can Ma'iingan find the humility to share her talent with her sister? In this relatable story, a young Anishinaabe girl learns to put aside her pride and sibling rivalry to share her love of singing with her sister.

Amik Loves School by Katherena Vermette; Irene Kuziw (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VER

ISBN: 9781553795230

Publication Date: 2015

Amik loves going to school, but when he shares this with his grandfather, he finds out Moshoom attended residential school. At Moshoom's school, students were forbidden from speaking their language. It sounds very different from Amik's school, so Amik has an idea... In this heartwarming story, an Anishinaabe child shows his grandfather how his school celebrates the culture that residential schools tried to erase.

The Good Rainbow Road by Simon J. Ortiz; Michael Lacapa (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ORT

ISBN: 9780816529353

Publication Date: 2010

This is the story of two courageous boys and of how they saved their village. Their village is called Haapaahnitse, Oak Place, and it lies at the foot of a mountain. Once there was a lake and a stream nearby, but they have dried up. Once rain and snow came, but no more. Not only did the crops wither and die, even the hardy oak trees have become brittle sticks. The land has become barren and dry. They are sent on a westward trek to the home of the Shiwana, the Rain and Snow Spirits, to ask them to bring the gift of water to the village again. The brothers cross deserts and mountains on an arduous journey until they are finally stopped short by a treacherous canyon filled with molten lava. The Good Rainbow Road tells how the brothers overcome this last challenge and continue on to their destination.

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day; Chelsea Clinton; Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator); Gillian Flint (Illustrator)

Call Number: B TAL

ISBN: 9780593115817

Publication Date: 2021

Maria Tallchief loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. She refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, becoming America's first prima ballerina. Many famous American ballets were created for Maria!

A Kid's Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis; Arlene Hirschfelder

Call Number: j970.00497 DEN

ISBN: 9781556528026

Publication Date: 2009

Hands-on activities, games, and crafts introduce children to the diversity of Native American cultures and teach them about the people, experiences, and events that have helped shape America, past and present. Nine geographical areas cover a variety of communities like the Mohawk in the Northeast, Ojibway in the Midwest, Shoshone in the Great Basin, Apache in the Southwest, Yupik in Alaska, and Native Hawaiians, among others. Lives of historical and contemporary notable individuals like Chief Joseph and Maria Tallchief are featured, and the book is packed with a variety of topics like first encounters with Europeans, Indian removal, Mohawk sky walkers, and Navajo code talkers.

If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell; Winona Nelson (Illustrator)

Call Number: j974.402 NEW

ISBN: 9781338726367

Publication Date: 2021

What if you lived when the English colonists and the Wampanoag people shared a feast at Plimoth? What would you have worn? What would you have eaten? What was the true story of the feast that we now know as the first Thanksgiving and how did it become a national holiday? Chris Newell answers all these questions and more in this comprehensive dive into the feast at Plimoth and the history leading up to it. Carefully crafted to explore both sides of this historical event, this book is a great choice for Thanksgiving units, and for teaching children about this popular holiday.

The Day the Earth Rose Up by Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo

Call Number: E BEA

ISBN: 9781939053398

Publication Date: 2022

When seven Lakota sisters venture deep into the forest to gather chokecherries, they are surprised and chased by a giant bear. As they huddle together on a rock ledge and pray for help, the earth rises up, taking them out of reach of the bear. A great eagle rescues the Seven Sisters by taking them to the Star Nation, where they become the Pleiades star formation we see in the night sky.

Science and Technology by Emory Dean Keoke; Kay Marie Porterfield

Call Number: j500.8997 KEO

ISBN: 9780816053971

Publication Date: 2005

Science and Technology shows how American Indians developed science and created technology by observing the world around them. The people of Mesoamerica invented the zero, created accurate calendars, and developed writing systems. Native peoples used chemical processes to make chocolate and pottery, devised number systems, and predicted the movements of the stars and planets. Today a number of American Indians are entering careers as scientists, doctors, and engineers, carrying a rich heritage of curiosity, observation, and invention forward into the future.

Medicine and Health by Emory Dean Keoke; Kay Marie Porterfield

Call Number: j610.8997 KEO

ISBN: 9780816053964

Publication Date: 2005

Medicine and Health covers the many contributions American Indians made to the world in these areas. Early Native peoples learned which plants and animals provided them with the best nutrition. They invented treatments for their illnesses, performed operations on people - including brain surgery and skin grafts - and used antiseptics to prevent infection. In many ways, their medical and health practices were ahead of those of Europeans when settlers first came to the Americas. Ancient American Indian medical discoveries continue to save lives today.

Food, Farming, and Hunting by Emory Dean Keoke; Kay Marie Porterfield

Call Number: j641.3008997 KEO

ISBN: 9780816053933

Publication Date: 2005

By the time European conquistadores and colonizers arrived in the Americas, starting in 1492, American Indians had already invented sophisticated hunting and fishing technology. They gathered hundreds of plants for food, fiber, and medicine, and first domesticated three-quarters of the food crops raised in the world today. Food, Farming, and Hunting covers the many contributions that American Indians have made throughout history, including the various tools used in hunting, such as bolas, bows and arrows, and camouflage, and the different methods of fishing for each culture.

Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants by Dawn Quigley; Tara Audibert (Illustrator)

Call Number: J QUI

ISBN: 9780063015401

Publication Date: 2022

First grader Jo Jo Makoons knows how to do a lot of things, like how to play jump rope, how to hide her peas in her milk, and how to be helpful in her classroom. But there's one thing Jo Jo doesn't know how to do: be fancy. She has a lot to learn before her Aunt Annie's wedding! Favorite purple unicorn notebook in hand, Jo Jo starts exploring her Ojibwe community to find ways to be fancy. The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes.

Children of Clay by Rina Swentzell; Bill Steen (Photographer)

Call Number: j970.004 SWE

ISBN: 9780822596271

Publication Date: 1992

Like their Pueblo ancestors, Gia Rose and her family treat the clay with respect. They believe that Clay-Old-Woman, the spirit of clay, watches over their work and that she lives and breathes within each piece of pottery. Many things have changed at Santa Clara Pueblo, but the making of pottery remains the same. It is still done completely by hand, using clay taken from the earth and other natural materials.

Native American Thought of It by Rocky Landon; David MacDonald (As told to)

Call Number: j609.7 LAN

ISBN: 9781554511549

Publication Date: 2013

Everyone knows that moccasins, canoes and toboggans were invented by the Aboriginal people of North America, but did you know that they also developed their own sign language, syringe needles and a secret ingredient in soda pop? Depending on where they lived, Aboriginal communities relied on their ingenuity to harness the resources available to them. Some groups, such as the Iroquois, were particularly skilled at growing and harvesting food. From them, we get corn and wild rice, as well as maple syrup. Other groups, including the Sioux and Comanche of the plains, were exceptional hunters.

The Raven Mother by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson; Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

Call Number: j598.864 HUS

ISBN: 9781774920039

Publication Date: 2022

Hoarders. Scavengers. Clever foragers. Bringers of new life. Ravens have many roles, both for the land and in Gitxsan story and song. This book transports young readers to Northwestern British Columbia, where they will learn about the traditions of the Gitxsan, the lives of ravens, and why these acrobatic flyers are so important to their ecosystem. Follow along as Nox Gaak, the raven mother, teaches her chicks what they need to survive with the help of her flock.

Returning to the Yakoun River by Sara Florence Davidson; Robert Davidson; Janine Gibbons (Illustrator)

Call Number: E DAV

ISBN: 9781774920213

Publication Date: 2022

Every summer, a Haida girl and her family travel up the Yakoun River on Haida Gwaii, following the salmon. While their father fishes, the girl and her brother spend their time on the land playing and learning from Tsinii (Grandfather).

A Walk on the Shoreline by Rebecca Hainnu; Qin Leng (Illustrator)

Call Number: E HAI

ISBN: 9781772272697

Publication Date: 2020

Young Nukappia can't wait to get out to his family campsite on the shoreline. After spending all year in the south with his adoptive parents, Nukappia always looks forward to his summer visits with his birth family. After spending one night in town, Nukappia and his uncle Angu begin the long walk down the shore to the family summer campsite, where all of Nukappia's cousins and aunts and uncles are waiting for him. Along the way, Nukappia learns that the shoreline is not just ice and rocks and water. There is an entire ecosystem of plants and animals that call the shoreline home. From seaweed to clams to char to shore grasses, there is far more to see along the shoreline than Nukappia ever imagined.

What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses by Richard Van Camp; George Littlechild (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VAN

ISBN: 9780892391851

Publication Date: 2014

Author Richard Van Camp has always been curious about horses. He is a member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation, a Native North American tribe that uses dogs instead of horses, because it's too cold for them up in Canada! One wintry day, he decides to do some investigating. Our friendly guide invites us to accompany him on his playful search for the most beautiful thing about horses. He asks his family, his friends, and even the artist, George Littlechild, what is the most beautiful thing they know about horses.

When Turtles Grew Feathers by Tim Tingle; Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Call Number: j398.2089 TIN

ISBN: 9781939160218

Publication Date: 2013

When Rabbit boastfully challenges Turtle to a race, he gets his comeuppance and Turtle gets a little assist from his winged friend, Turkey. In the process, we learn why Turtle's shell is cracked and why you never see Rabbit racing Turtle today. The bold and vibrant illustrations capture not only the grasslands of the High Plains but also the demeanor of its animal inhabitants and the humor of the tale.

Johnny's Pheasant by Cheryl Minnema; Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Call Number: E MIN

ISBN: 9781517905019

Publication Date: 2019

An encounter with a pheasant (which may or may not be sleeping) takes a surprising turn in this sweetly serious and funny story of a Native American boy and his grandma "Pull over, Grandma! Hurry!" Johnny says. Grandma does, and Johnny runs to show her what he spotted near the ditch: a sleeping pheasant. What Grandma sees is a small feathery hump. When Johnny wants to take it home, Grandma tries to tell him that the pheasant might have been hit by a car. But maybe she could use the feathers for her craftwork? So home with Grandma and Johnny the pheasant goes . . . It's hard to say who is most surprised by what happens next--Grandma, Johnny, or the pheasant.

The Just Right Gift by Katherena Vermette; Irene Kuziw (Illustrator)

Call Number: E VER

ISBN: 9781553795193

Publication Date: 2014

Migizi loves Gookom so much. He wants to let her know by giving her the perfect gift to cheer her up while she is in the hospital. The gift should be as sweet as her kisses and as warm as her smiles. He asks his family and friends for help, but none of his ideas are quite right. Can he find her the perfect gift? In this touching story, a young boy tries to find the perfect gift to show his grandmother how much he cares about her.

Just Like Grandma by Kim Rogers; Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ROG

ISBN: 9780063049246

Publication Date: 2023

Becca watches her grandma create, play, and dance--and she knows that she wants to be just like Grandma. Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, "Let me try," Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful. Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma. And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma.

Remember by Joy Harjo; Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

Call Number: E HAR

ISBN: 9780593484838

Publication Date: 2023

Remember the sky you were born under, Know each of the star's stories. Remember the moon, know who she is. Remember the sun's birth at dawn, That is the strongest point of time. So begins the picture book adaptation of the renowned poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected.

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CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature

NEW Native American Children's Literature

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CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature

NEW Native American Children's Literature

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