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

NEW Native American Picturebooks

by Rachel Hoople on 2024-12-06T09:00:00-05:00 | 0 Comments

The Train by Jodie Callaghan; Georgia Lesley (Illustrator)

Call Number: E CAL

ISBN: 9781772601299

Publication Date: 2020

Ashley meets her great-uncle by the old train tracks near their community in Nova Scotia. Ashley sees his sadness, and Uncle tells her of the day years ago when he and the other children from their community were told to board the train before being taken to residential school where their lives were changed forever. They weren't allowed to speak Mi'gmaq and were punished if they did. There was no one to give them love and hugs and comfort. Uncle also tells Ashley how happy she and her sister make him. They are what give him hope. Ashley promises to wait with her uncle by the train tracks, in remembrance of what was lost.

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck; Madelyn Goodnight (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GOO

ISBN: 9780063099890

Publication Date: 2023

In this happy, vibrant tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed yearly on November 15, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and artist Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) celebrate the joy and power of wearing moccasins--and the Native pride that comes with them. A perfect book for Native American Heritage Month and all year round! We're stepping out and kicking it up. Wearing beauty on their feet-- as art, as tradition, with style, with pride-- kids from different Native Nations know every day is a day to ROCK YOUR MOCS!

Mashkiki Road by Elizabeth S. Barrett; Jonathan Thunder (Illustrator)

Call Number: E BAR

ISBN: 9781681342382

Publication Date: 2022

Three young cousins explore the woods in search of medicines that heal and purify, also gathering advice from wise beings who offer life lessons cherished through generations. A journey on Mashkiki Road - the road where the medicines grow - yields cedar and sage and lessons cherished through generations.

In My Anaana's Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok; Lenny Lishchenko (Illustrator)

Call Number: E SAM

ISBN: 9781772272529

Publication Date: 2020

Nadia Sammurtok lovingly invites the reader into the amautik--the pouch in the back of a mother's parka used to carry a child--to experience everything through the eyes of the baby nestled inside, from the cloudlike softness of the pouch to the glistening sound of Anaana's laughter. Sweet and soothing, this book offers a unique perspective that will charm readers of all ages.

Mnoomin Maan'gowing / the Gift of Mnoomin by Brittany Luby; Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Illustrator); Mary Ann Corbiere (Translator)

Call Number: E LUB

ISBN: 9781773068466

Publication Date: 2023

In this bilingual book, an Anishinaabe child explores the story of a precious mnoomin seed and the circle of life mnoomin sustains. Written in Anishinaabemowin and English, the story opens at harvest time. A child holds a mnoomin seed and imagines all the life that made a single seed possible--Mayfly, Pike, Muskrat, Eagle and Moose, all had a part to play in bringing the seed into being. What will happen if the seed sprouts? Underwater leaves will shelter young fish, shoots will protect ducklings, stalks will feed larvae, in turn providing food for bats...until finally mnoomin will be ready to harvest again. We follow the child and family through a harvest day as they make offerings of tobacco, then gently knock ripe seeds into their canoe. On shore, they prepare the seeds, cook up a feast, and gratefully plant some seeds they'd set aside.

A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers; Jonathan Nelson (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ROG

ISBN: 9780063044555

Publication Date: 2023

With humor and heart and brought to life by Jonathan Nelson's warm, distinctive artwork, Kim Rogers's A Letter for Bob celebrates the treasured cars that carry us through our most meaningful childhood moments. Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie's family. Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway family. Bob has been there in sad and scary times and for some of the family's most treasured memories. But after many miles, it's time for the family to say goodbye to Bob... This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car--and all the stories and love carried along for the ride--will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car.

Tanna's Owl by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley; Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley; Yong Ling Kang (Illustrator)

Call Number: E QIT

ISBN: 9781772272505

Publication Date: 2020

When Tanna's father brings home an abandoned owl, she is not eager to take care of the needy, ugly little bird. Tanna must wake at 4:00 a.m. to catch food for the owl. She must feed it, clean up after it, all while avoiding its sharp, chomping beak and big, stomping talons. After weeks of following her father's instructions on how to care for the owl, Tanna must leave home for school. Her owl has grown. It has lost its grey baby feathers and is beginning to sprout a beautiful adult snowy owl coat. As she says good-bye to the owl, she is relieved not to have to care for it anymore, but also a bit sad. This heartwarming story based on the author's own life experience teaches young readers the value of hard work, helping, and caring--even when the thing you are caring for does not love you back.

The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo; Paul Lee (Illustrator)

Call Number: E HAR

ISBN: 9780152321970

Publication Date: 2000

Some cats are good luck. You pet them and good things happen. Woogie is one of those cats. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out? The first children's book from an acclaimed poet whose honors include the American Book Award and the William Carlos Williams Award Celebrates the special relationship between a young girl and her cat.

Keepunumuk by Danielle Greendeer; Anthony Perry; Alexis Bunten; Garry Meeches (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GRE

ISBN: 9781623542900

Publication Date: 2022

In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Weeâchumun (corn), the Native people wouldn't have helped. An important picture book honoring both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving.

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom; Steph Littlebird (Illustrator)

Call Number: E LIN

ISBN: 9781419759437

Publication Date: 2023

Our ancestors say our hair is our memories, our source of strength and power, a celebration of our lives. Mom never had long hair - she was told it was too wild. Nokomis couldn't have long hair - hers was taken from her. But one young girl can't wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.

Heart Berry Bling by Jenny Kay Dupuis; Eva Campbell (Illustrator)

Call Number: E DUP

ISBN: 9781774920558

Publication Date: 2023

On a visit to her granny, Maggie is excited to begin her first-ever beading project: a pair of strawberry earrings. However, beading is much harder than she expected! As they work side by side, Granny shares how beading helped her persevere and stay connected to her Anishinaabe culture when she lost her Indian status, forcing her out of her home community--all because she married someone without status, something the men of her community could do freely. As she learns about patience and perseverance from her granny's teachings, Maggie discovers that beading is a journey, and like every journey, it's easier with a loved one at her side.

Two pairs of shoes by Esther Sanderson

Call Number: E SAN

ISBN: 0921827156

Publication Date: 1990

Maggie received two pairs of shoes for her 8th birthday, one dressy and shiny black, one beautifully beaded and leather. She is told that she now must learn when and how to wear each pair.

Dragonfly Kites by Tomson Highway

Call Number: E HIG

ISBN: 9781897252642

Publication Date: 2019

Joe and Cody, two young Cree brothers, along with their parents and their little dog Ootsie, are spending the summer by one of the hundreds of lakes in northern Manitoba. Summer means a chance to explore the world and make friends with an array of creatures. But what Joe and Cody like doing best of all is flying dragonfly kites. They catch dragonflies and gently tie a length of thread around the middle of each dragonfly before letting it go. Off soar the dragonflies into the summer sky and off race the brothers and Ootsie too, chasing after their dragonfly kites through trees and meadows and down to the beach before watching them disappear into the night sky. But in their dreams, Joe and Cody soar through the skies with their kites until it's time to wake up.

Little People of the Dawn by Minquansis Sapiel

Call Number: E SAP

ISBN: 9798986298184

Publication Date: 2023

A beautiful Passamaquoddy story about a girl coming upon the little people while visiting an island in Maine. Lessons in maintaining Native languages, culture and traditions.

Too Much by Laurel Goodluck

Call Number: E GOO

ISBN: 9781665911269

Publication Date: 2024

A little boy wants a chance to shine on his own but discovers that being apart from his large and lively Native family isn't necessarily better in this heartwarming and humorous picture book. When Russell gets a part in the school play, he lights up like a shining star--and he can't wait to tell his big, boisterous Native family the exciting news. But catching their attention when they all get together feels impossible; no matter where they go, they seem to be too noisy, too many, and just too much! Russell decides to keep his big debut to himself and fly solo for once...but being alone may not be the answer. After all, there's no such thing as too much love, and when he needs them most, his great big family knows how to be just enough.

Being Home by Traci Sorell

Call Number: E SOR

ISBN: 9781984816030

Publication Date: 2024

Today is a day of excitement--it's time to move! As a young Cherokee girl says goodbye to the swing, the house, and the city she's called home her whole life, she readies herself for the upcoming road trip. While her mother drives, the girl draws the changing landscape outside her window. She looks forward to the end of the journey, where she'll eat the feast her family has prepared, play in the creek with her cousins, and settle into the new rhythm of home. With warm, expressive artwork and spare, lyrical prose, the story of a young girl's move toward rather than away from home unfolds.

When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): a Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers

Call Number: E ROG

ISBN: 9780063076792

Publication Date: 2024

Nothing welcomes spring like a wild onion dinner! As the dirt warms and green sprouts poke up, a Cherokee girl joins her family in the hunt for green onions. Together, they pick enough to bring to a feast, which is cooked with love and shared by their community. Idalisdayvhvga! Let's all eat!, this picture book celebrates the spring tradition of wild onion dinners--and the community and comfort that are shared when we gather.

A Family Tree by Staci Lola Drouillard

Call Number: E DRO

ISBN: 9780063242463

Publication Date: 2024

A modern-day twist to The Giving Tree, this book chronicles the changes brought upon a beloved family tree that must be uprooted and planted on new land. Grandma's garden was not just any garden. It was where a spruce tree, only as tall as baby Francis, reached her roots into the soil and stretched her branches toward the sky. Here, on the shore of Gichigaming, is where Francis and the sapling felt right at home. But when Grandma and Grandpa decide to move away, Francis wants to take the tree with them--can they Brimming with tenderness, traces the journey of one family, and a little tree, as they adapt to change by drawing on the strength of their roots.

The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette

Call Number: E VER

ISBN: 9781926886541

Publication Date: 2019

While picking berries with her mother, a little girl wanders too far into the woods. When she realizes she is lost, she begins to panic. A large grey wolf makes a sudden appearance between some distant trees. Using his sense of smell, he determines where she came from and decides to help her. Through a series of questions from the wolf, the little girl realizes she had the knowledge and skill to navigate herself--she just needed to remember that those abilities were there all along.

It's Powwow Time! by Martha Troian

Call Number: E TRO

ISBN: 9780063116665

Publication Date: 2024

It's Powwow Time! is for readers of Cynthia Leitich Smith's Jingle Dancer and Oge Mora's Thank You, Omu! Bineshii is looking forward to his first powwow. He wakes up and travels with his mother to the community event. He eats bannock and drinks strawberry juice as he watches the dancers perform. And ever so slowly, Bineshii works his way from the edge of the circle watching the dancers to inside the circle itself, dancing and celebrating with everyone else. Award-winning journalist Martha Troian's child-centered text and Hawlii Pichette's action-packed illustrations build excitement on the page as Bineshii's curiosity and confidence grows. It's Powwow Time! explores the rewards of being open to new experiences while also serving as a beautiful and informative introduction to a First Nations powwow.

Taos Pueblo Winter by The Taos Pueblo Tiwa Language Program; Leonard Archuleta (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ARC Board Book

ISBN: 9781570673450

Publication Date: 2023

The delightful board books, written without text, were created by the Taos Pueblo's Tiwa Language Program to preserve the Tiwa culture and revitalize the unwritten Tiwa language by teaching it to younger generations. Many other Indigenous languages also need to be revitalized, so it is the hope of the Taos Pueblo's Tiwa Language Program that other American Indian nations will find the books useful to teach their languages to their children. The beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations will also educate young children about the four seasons of the year.