Indigenous books

Ages 3–8

Jeannette Armstrong

Dancing With the Cranes by Jeannette Armstrong — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Melanie Florence

Missing Nimama by Melanie Florence — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Lisa Bruce

Engines, Engines by Lisa Bruce — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Desiree Gillespie

A journey through the circle of life by Desiree Gillespie — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Unknown Author

This simple story in Cree and English explores a young child's relationship to his kôhkom, his grandmother, as they go for a walk in the bush to pick rosehips.

Ages 3–8

Sylvia Olsen

Which Way Should I Go by Sylvia Olsen — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Rebecca C. Benes

Native American picture books of change by Rebecca C. Benes — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Rudy Henry Wiebe

Steeped in aboriginal myth and lore, Hidden Buffalo is also the tale of how a whole tribe can turn its gaze from the horizon to see to the wisdom of a child.

Ages 3–8

Bonnie Murray

"Thomas needs to make a wheeled vehicle for science class. When his father helps him build a Red River Cart, Thomas learns another fascinating aspect of his Metis history."--Jacket.

Ages 3–8

Suzie Napayok

Akuluk is not excited about visiting her grandparents in Nunavut, until she sees all the animals that the tundra has to offer, and learns about hunting for wild eggs.

Ages 3–8

Judith Morecroft

Malu Kangaroo by Judith Morecroft — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 0–3

Richard Van Camp

A board-book love song to a new baby, with Julie Flett’s art. Short lines meant to be read in a lap.

Ages 0–3

Richard Van Camp

Parents tell a baby how they sang that child into the family. Van Camp and Flett again, this time about arrival and belonging.

Ages 3–8

Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora Dauenhauer

A Tlingit story of a boy who learns respect for salmon, illustrated by Michaela Goade. Sealaska Heritage.

Ages 3–8

Xelena González

A grandfather shows a child the circles in gardens, family, and time. Adriana M. Garcia’s art. American Indian Youth Literature Honor.

Ages 3–8

Tomson Highway

Two Cree brothers follow the caribou and sing. English and Cree, with John Rombough’s illustrations.

Ages 0–3

Richard Van Camp

A blessing for a newborn — community, land, and the child who just arrived. Orca board book.

Ages 3–8

Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula

Adventure begins when Grandma takes her two grandchildren out for a trip to the lake. After showing the kids how to prepare for a fishing trip, Grandma and the kids enjoy a day of jigging in the ice for fish. Grandma shows them everything they need to know to complete a successful fishing trip, from what clothes to wear, to how to drill and clear holes in the ice, to how to make a traditional Inuit jigging rod. By the end of the day, the kids have a yummy meal of Arctic char, and they have also learned everything they need to know to go out on the lake on their own.

Ages 3–8

Darryl Baker

Jake wants his puppy Kamik to grow into a sled dog. Uncle’s lessons, Qin Leng’s drawings. Inhabit Media.

Ages 3–8

Brenda J. Child

Windy Girl dozes at a powwow and dreams the dancers as dogs — funny, then back to the real drum. Ojibwe. Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Ages 3–8

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Jenna wants to jingle dance at the next powwow but her dress has no jingles. Neighbors and aunties help, one row at a time. Muscogee (Creek).

Ages 3–8

Miranda Belarde-Lewis

A photo portrait of Lydia Mills, a Tlingit girl in Southeast Alaska, from the National Museum of the American Indian “Young Native Americans Today” series.

Ages 3–8

Susan Secakuku

A photo portrait of Mindy, a Hopi girl, from the NMAI “Meet Native America” series.

Ages 3–8

Genevieve Simermeyer

A photo portrait of Christopher, a young Mohawk (Akwesasne) boy, from the NMAI “Meet Native America” series.