Preschool and Kindergarten

From award-winning creators Susan Verde and Steph Littlebird comes an empowering celebration of the strength, diversity, worthiness, and beauty of our bodies

Did you know your body is beautiful?

And not only is it beautiful—it is also unique, miraculous, wise, worthy, and 100% your own. New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde and acclaimed illustrator Steph Littlebird team up to celebrate all of the beautiful things our bodies can be and do: from mirroring the wonders in nature and carrying the stories of our ancestors, to speaking up for what they need, growing, dancing and more!

With an empowering, lyrical text and bold, vibrant illustrations, Body Beautiful feels like a hug for every body.

Reviews
"Verde implores readers to listen to their bodies while staying active to the best of their abilities. Her melodious text combines with Littlebird’s vibrant artwork for a joyous read-aloud. Respectful, empathetic, and exuberant."— Kirkus Review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover 

A stunning, poetic debut picture book from Pasha Westbrook about honoring one’s roots and the unbreakable bond of familial love, brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight.

Father braids my hair, just like his,

scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp,

love in every twist...

As a young girl’s father lovingly yet painstakingly braids her hair, he weaves a story about the strength and resilience of their ancestors, Freedmen who walked the Trail of Tears from Mississippi to Oklahoma.

In this enchanting picture book, past and present come together in a tale about endurance, history, and love. With beautiful, sweeping illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight and debut author Pasha Westbrook's lyrical writing, Braided Roots tenderly explores the unwavering love between a father and daughter.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

An affirming, heartfelt picture book about a Native American boy proudly growing out his hair and basking in the knowledge that braids are beautiful.

Each morning, Dad brushes the knots from his son’s long hair to braid it. The boy winces at the tugging, and at school he's teased for his braid. But he remembers the stories of how his father and grandpa were forced to cut their hair and forbidden from practicing their traditions when they were young, and how they fought to make it possible for him to wear his hair long. Although it can hurt, having long hair ultimately makes him feel brave and strong.

This powerful picture book by author-illustrator Weshoyot Alvitre examines the traumatic history of colonization and reclaims Native pride in long hair, delivering a tender father-son story that's perfect for fans of Hair Love and Love in the Library.

Reviews
“A young boy has been growing out his hair in order to wear it in brave braids…Alvitre's (Tongva) illustrations feature bold lines and soft colors, showing how bravery can take on many forms…An excellent title for classrooms, libraries, and at-home reading.” — Booklist

"A tender tale woven with themes of resilience, courage, and love for Indigenous men." — Kirkus

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.42" x 11.31" | Hardcover 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass comes a beautiful and lushly illustrated tale celebrating gratitude, reciprocity, and finding our place in the natural world, ideal for sharing with the youngest readers.

When young Bud sees people bustling around, intent on their chores and their screens, she is certain they must be doing important things—and she wants to be included. But wise Nokomis, her grandmother, shows her that there is a different way to find belonging, one that relies on stillness and observing the natural world. As Bud discovers the freely given gifts of the Earth, she wonders if she has something important to give back: What is her gift?

Infused with warmth, humor, and insight, and beautifully illustrated by Naoko Stoop, the first picture book by renowned author and Indigenous ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer inspires readers to treasure nature’s generosity and the gifts each one of us can share with the Earth.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover

The Grumpy Faces are a gang of whimsical woodland and Arctic creatures that care deeply about their habitats and encourage creativity wherever they go. In their first literary adventure, Polar Bear, Fox, and Wolf head out on a journey to find some snacks. On their way, they must learn how to be kind and understanding of each other, and work together toward their goal.

Cute and heartwarming, The Grumpy Faces are sure to bring a smile to every reader’s face, while also helping kids understand their emotions and how to navigate the differences they see in those around them.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

“Papa, what is a Potlatch?”  

Inspired by Ts’msyen Chief William Beynon’s historic notebooks on Potlatches in the Gitxsan village of Gitsegukla, Celebrating Potlatches pairs intergenerational storytelling with beautiful illustrations to honour Indigenous traditions. From the award-winning author of Oolichan Moon and the accomplished illustrator of Be a Good Ancestor, this book recounts the 1885 Potlatch ban and the resilience of the communities who fought to keep their traditions alive. 

Reviews
“Heartfelt and timely, Celebrating Potlatches gifts readers with cultural teachings through an intergenerational account of Indigenous resilience. This book is a beautiful tribute to the author’s great-grandfather, William Beynon, whose life’s work documenting oral histories of Sm’algya̱x-speaking Peoples and their Potlatches continues to be foundational to our cultural resurgence today.” – Sm Łoodm ‘Nüüsm (Dr. Mique’l Dangeli), Sm’algya̱x language expert and Assistant Professor of Indigenous Arts at the University of Victoria

“This beautiful book shares the importance of community, culture, and identity. As you make your way through the pictures and words, they bring you to an understanding of how important the Potlatch ceremony was and continues to be for Indigenous Peoples.” – Carolyn Roberts, educator, speaker, and author of Re-Storying Education

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Through this conversational historic account, readers can learn alongside the narrator as his Papa shares his wisdom about the rich history of the Potlatch.

Curriculum Connections

• Early literacy – listening, reading, and discussing
• Art – traditional Indigenous art, drumming, and regalia
• Social studies – the 1885 Potlatch ban, history of Indigenous Peoples, connection to community
• Social responsibility – uplifting ourselves and others, honouring traditions
• Indigenous knowledge and traditions – traditional teachings, Potlatch ceremonies, intergenerational storytelling

 

Two free, downloadable lesson plans—one for kindergarten to Grade 1 and one for Grades 2 to 3—provide connections to Social Studies curriculum.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 10" x 8.5" | Hardcover 

Charlotte has outgrown her moccasins! Still, there's nothing a trip to Grandma's can't fix in this heartwarming intergenerational story.

A sweet, celebratory picture book about family and culture by two debut Métis creators centered around Indigenous peoples' tradition of making moccasins, perfect for 3-7-year-olds.

Charlotte has outgrown her moccasins, so she and her Mom head to Grandma's for new ones. Grandma teaches Charlotte how to make her new mocs step-by-step, and she learns a valuable skill from her beloved elder in this heartwarming multigenerational story.

A contemporary celebration of Native culture, tradition, and family. A highly-relatable story for Indigenous kids and any kid that has ever outgrown their favorite thing to wear.

Back matter includes details about moccasins then and now, some additional facts about them, and information about how they have been made over time.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 11.31" | Hardcover 

Corbeau Blanc est née sur une île, dans un joli village. Pendant les premières années de sa vie, elle a grandi entourée de sa famille, de sa communauté et de la nature. Tout a changé quand elle avait six ans.

Maintenant adulte et mère de famille, Petit Loup quitte la ville pour retrouver l’île de ses ancêtres. Elle veut faire connaître à ses filles la beauté et les mystères du monde naturel et les rapprocher de leur culture. Sa mère, Corbeau Blanc, vient souvent leur rendre visite. Mais le plaisir de voir les fillettes s’amuser et apprendre ne l’empêche pas d’avoir le cœur lourd.

Corbeau Blanc est l’une des 150 000 enfants autochtones placés de force dans des pensionnats canadiens. Elle doit maintenant raconter son histoire à ses petites-filles. Parler de ces moments difficiles l’aide à trouver la guérison et unit la famille encore davantage. Corbeau Blanc retrace l’expérience de la mère de l’auteure dans un pensionnat. C’est un récit de survie, de guérison et d’unité familiale.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

This book is a part of the Petit Loup (Little Wolf) trilogy. It was translated from English to French by Nicole Laurendeau.

This book is available in English: White Raven

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8.

Join Joshua as his father teaches him about traditional food harvesting.

Joshua loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land?

In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.

Reviews
"Tyna Legault Taylor delivers a magical story of the seasons through Joshua’s sweet anticipation as he learns how to know when it is time to harvest katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak / mint from the land. In this beautifully illustrated book, Joshua gains important land-based traditional knowledges from his father about harvesting, medicines, and Indigenous food sovereignty and learns key words in Northern Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin as he discovers his relationships to land. With the inclusion of a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea and a glossary, this book will engage readers of all ages, but will be especially treasured by children who see themselves in Joshua’s curious and adventurous spirit!" — Barbara Parker, Associate Professor, Lakehead University

“Swampy Cree…and Anishinaabemowin words are interwoven seamlessly into the simply stated sentences. Dao’s vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and connection. Sharing land-based Indigenous knowledge, this is an informative picture-book-series opener.”—Booklist

“A warm and colourful tale that brings traditional teachings to life. This is a story from the home and the heart that the whole family will enjoy.”—Don Kelly, Gemini Award–nominated host of APTN's Fish Out of Water and Crazy Like a Lynx

“The lived experience of Joshua and his family...is a testament to the sacred connection between Indigenous people and the land. A great tool for all children to learn more about Indigenous people and Indigenous languages.”—Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Includes some Swampy Cree (n-dialect) words in brown and Anishinaabemowin words in green, but this is not a dual-language book.

The backmatter includes a Swampy Cree/Anishinaabemowin Glossary and a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea. 

Big Ideas: Land-Based and Place-Based Learning, Traditional Foods, Traditional Clothing, Traditional Medicine, STEM: Seasonal Cycles, STEM: Plants.

This book is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

An action-packed adventure featuring a stunt-penguin stuffed animal, this picture book by award-winning author Jesse Wente will appeal to movie fans young and old.

It's bird! It's a plane!

It's DANGER EAGLE!

Danger Eagle is brave.
Danger Eagle is bold.
Danger Eagle is . . . a penguin? 

No matter! Danger Eagle is up for any challenge, and there's nothing that one-of-a-kind this stunt-stuffie can't do… Or is there?

Read on to find out in this action-packed origin story!

Reviews
"Increasingly funny text and art ensue, striking a clever balance between fantasy and reality; the images feel like stills from an animated cartoon." —Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.40" x 8.25" | Hardcover 

Let Dragonfly lead you on a journey of inspiration!

Following your winged guide, visit the places and things that can help you find strength in the present and imagine your amazing future. Dream alongside everything from a giant construction site and a sewing machine to the river and a blanket of moss. After your travels, Dragonfly asks: What do you like to dream about? With its mixed setting in rural and urban environments and exploration of both the natural and modern world, Dreaming Alongside gives readers permission to daydream and think of what magic their lives have the potential to hold.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

This book is available in English and Plains Cree: Dreaming Alongside / ê-pawâtamahk.

Reading Levels: 
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: L 
Lexile measure: 900L 
Guided Reading Level: L

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Let Dragonfly lead you on a journey of inspiration!

Following your winged guide, visit the places and things that can help you find strength in the present and imagine your amazing future. Dream alongside everything from a giant construction site and a sewing machine to the river and a blanket of moss. After your travels, Dragonfly asks: What do you like to dream about? With its mixed setting in rural and urban environments and exploration of both the natural and modern world, Dreaming Alongside gives readers permission to daydream and think of what magic their lives have the potential to hold.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Plains Cree.
Translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.

This book is available in English only: Dreaming Alongside.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Read along with Bree, Dee, and Reed, and learn the Long ‘ee’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with Eager Beaver and learn the Long ‘ea’ Vowel. 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with June Bug and Duke and learn the Long ‘u_e’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback