November is National Native American Heritage Month, and there’s never been a better time to add one of these amazing children’s books (or all 11) to your collection. These shelf-worthy stories showcase Indigenous characters, stories, writers, and illustrators. After all, the diversity of children’s literature is very important…… This is true even for the youngest book lovers. Cardboard books and picture books with different faces, cultures, and narratives that allow some children to see themselves on the pages and give others the opportunity to explore the world beyond their own experiences is a cornerstone of building empathy.
Through these 12 children’s books, you and your child will be invited to learn about modern Native Americans and Native families, appreciate Native folk tales, discover history, and celebrate a rich culture.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Author: Kevin Noble Mellader, illustrated by Juana Martínez-Neal
In this award-winning children’s book, author Kevin Noble Maillard (a member of the Seminole Nation) shares the many reasons why fried bread isn’t just a delicious staple of Native American cuisine. Through simple and sweet words and pictures, readers can enjoy a cheerful and sensual celebration of the place of fried bread in Aboriginal culture, representing art, history, a sense of home, and more. There are also detailed author’s notes that provide more context and reflection…Coupled with Maillard’s own family fried bread recipe, this provides a great opportunity to take the story from paper to the kitchen! (3 to 6 years old)
Hemwell
Author:Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu、Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson,illustrations:Daniel Sousa
Based on the critically acclaimed animated short film of the same name, Kapaemahu tells the story of four mythical Mahu characters who sail from Tahiti to Hawaii to share the gift of science and healing with the people of Waikiki. (Māhū is a Hawaiian term used to describe a person who embodies both male and female spirits.) According to this Native Hawaiian legend, the islanders then built a monument to them consisting of four boulders that were imbued with healing powers. Written in both English and Olelo Nihau, this gorgeous book not only looks fantastic, but it also reads fantastically. (4 to 8 years old)
Bowwow Powwow
Written by Brenda J. Child, illustrated by Jonathan Thunder, translated into Ogby by Gordon Jourdain
Bowwow Powwow is a fun and engaging book that introduces young readers to the wonders of powwow, a traditional Native American ritual filled with singing, dancing, and feasting. In this story, the Wind Girl and her dog-itchy boy eagerly appreciate the sights, sounds, stories, and traditions of the end-of-summer rituals. Then, when the wind falls asleep, the ritual comes alive again…This fun and award-winning book, created by Brenda Child, a member of the Red Lake O&Buwe Nation, introduces all children to Aboriginal culture and fascinating stories. In addition, the story is told in English and Ojbwey, with historical annotations for added insight. (3 to 7 years old)
Still This Love Goes On
Writer: Buffy St. Mary Illustration: Julie Flett
Buffy Sainte-Marie is an award-winning Canadian-American Native American singer-songwriter, songwriter, social activist, and author. Beautifully illustrated by Indigenous artist Julie Flett, her adorable children’s book is described as a love letter to families, families, and Indigenous traditions. Essentially, Still This Love Goes On is about missing the people we love…and the unwavering hope that we will be able to see each other again. Kids will love the sheet music for their favorite songs included, as well as notes on the inspiration for songs, books, and illustrations. (3 to 7 years old)
Little You and We Sang You Home
Richard Van Camp Screenwriter, Julie Flett illustrated
The award-winning Little You is exactly what a cardboard book should be: simple and cute. Here, Richard Van Camp of the Dogleb Nation of Canada’s Northwest Territories teamed up with fellow First Nations Julie Flett to deliver a tender ode to precious newborn and parental love. Sweet stories (and maybe even sweeter modern and minimalist artworks) let your precious packages know how special they are to you. Van Kemp and Follett have collaborated again to create We Sang You Home, another gem of a cardboard book that continues to reveal the wonders of new parents when welcoming their babies. (0 to 2 years old)
We Are Water Protectors
Carol Lindstrom Screenwriter, Michaela Golder illustrated
This powerful, uplifting, and award-winning picture book is essentially a poetic call to action for our youngest Mother Earth enthusiasts. Here, an Indigenous child – a protector of water – shares why water is for the planet’s past, present and future…And her people are so important. The story begins with the protagonist’s community fighting to stop the “Black Snake” oil pipeline that threatens their water supply and history, and continues to illustrate how a body of water affects the wider world. Written and illustrated by Native Americans, We Are Water Protectors conveys a strong and compelling message about environmental abuse, but in a way makes the little ones feel empowered to know that they are “stewards of the planet!” (3 to 6 years old)
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Writer: Tracy Sorel Illustration: Fran Lessak
This modern story of Native Americans follows the lives of the Cherokee family in each season, sharing many things they are grateful for, like polenta and corn husk dolls in the winter and crayfish in the summer. The award-winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga is a warm and vibrant celebration of family and culture, written by Traci Sorell, a Cherokee citizen. Throughout the book, the reader can see fragments of Cherokee vocabulary (e.g., otsaliheliga means gratitude), history, and values. This book and its illustrations inspired by folk art are truly a beautiful way to convey the importance of gratitude to all children. As a bonus, the book also contains a glossary and a complete Cherokee phonetic list (symbols that represent language) for readers to explore. (3 to 7 years old)
First Laugh – Welcome, Baby!
Written by Rose Tach and Nancy Bo Vlad, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson
In the Navajo family, a baby’s first laugh is a big deal. In fact, that long-awaited giggle was a formal welcome to the family, triggering the official “first laugh ceremony”. We met an indigenous family who were anxiously waiting for their new cherub to let out a mouth-watering laugh…Through words and illustrations, young readers will notice Native American words such as nima (mom) and cheii (grandfather), as well as traditional hairstyles, blankets, turquoise jewelry, and more. Co-created by Navajo native Rose Tahe and illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (also a Navajo person), the story is a lighthearted and fun celebration of Native American traditions. The book’s endnotes highlight the more traditional rituals that celebrate babies around the world. (2 to 5 years old)
Rabbit’s Snow Dance
Written by James and Joseph Bruchak, illustrated by Jeff Newman
Created by the Native American father-son duo, Rabbit’s Snow Dance is more than just a silly read for kids to read aloud. It’s a modern retelling of an Iroquois folktale about the importance of patience and listening to friends. In the story, the rabbit uses traditional Iroquois drums, songs, and dances in an effort to get the snow to fall early…Much to the chagrin of his forest animal companions. Confusion ensues, but so do important lessons. Kids love catchy songs and unravel the mystery of why rabbits have short tails! (3 to 5 years old)
My Heart Fills with Happiness
Monique Gray Smith screenwriter, Julie Fly illustrated
My Heart Fills with Happiness is a delightful cardboard book written and illustrated by two Indigenous Canadians that features Indigenous characters throughout. Here, readers are invited to revel in the little things in life that bring joy and cultural connection, such as holding hands, singing, playing drums, dancing in moccasins, listening to stories, and the smell of baking bannock in the oven. (“Bannock” is another word for fried bread.) This charming and vibrant cardboard book is not only a quiet celebration of native culture, but also a story of profound universal significance about how everyday comforts often lift our spirits. Most. (0 to 3 years old)
Sweetest Kulu
Written by Selina Karuk, illustrated by Alexander Nyonakis
In her book Sweetest Kulu, Inuit-Canadian Celina Kalluk tells the story of all the animals and elements of the Arctic who come together to greet and present a newborn baby with the adorable nickname “Kulu.” (Kuru is a nickname in Inuktitut, the indigenous language of North America.) However, these gifts are not baby rattles and cute blankets. Instead, newborns are endowed with traditional Inuit values such as gentleness, self-belief and generosity. For example, Kuru’s story and dreamlike illustrations, nestled in the arms of a polar bear and wrapped in a lush green earth, come together to create a lyrical bedtime poem that shows how the Earth is beautifully intertwined with all of its creatures. (3 to 7 years old)