Colouring / Activity Books

The National Indigenous Diabetes Association (NIDA) envisions diabetes-free communities. Their mission is to lead the promotion of healthy environments and to prevent and manage diabetes by working together with people, communities, and organizations. NIDA Elders partnered with Kayla Perry, registered dietitian with the Diabetes Integration Project, and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC) to present this colouring book, which features some traditional plants and animals (Our Relations) from our Elders’ territories and the lands in between.

The purpose of this colouring book is to provide an easy-to-read, visual resource with practical guidance that children and caregivers can use to learn about nutritional information from traditional foods and plants. This resource also shares some teachings and stories attached to these medicines. Traditional foods are plants or animals that are indigenous to the land, meaning they existed naturally on the land before settlers arrived. Food in the form of these plants, fruits, vegetables, or animals is a gift.

NIDA would like to acknowledge that the work for this project took place in the traditional territories of the Dakota, Anishinaabe, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation.

Educator Information
Recommended by the publisher for grades 1 and under.

Companion book to Nuttah and Kitchi National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, featuring Indigenous Teachings and Fun Activities for Everyone!

Both resources are written by Sandra Samatte, Ojibwe - Saulteaux - from Skownan First Nation Treaty 2 Territory and illustrated by Julian Grafenauer, Ojibwe from Rolling River First Nation. Come celebrate and explore with Nuttah and Kitchi on June 21st, the first day of summer as they experience all the exciting fun-filled activities and events that take place on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 2 to 5.

Find the companion book here: Nuttah & Kitchi National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

Sept 30th has become widely known as National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada.

This day was chosen as the date for National Truth and Reconciliation Day because September is when many Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools.

Join Nuttah and Kitchi as they honour and remember the tens of thousands of residential school survivors and the children who did not survive the residential schools.

Written by Indigenous author and educator Sandra Samatte, Ojibwe - Saulteaux - from Skownan First Nation Treaty 2 Territory and illustrated by Julian Grafenauer, Ojibwe from Rolling River First Nation.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 1 to 4.  

Additional Information
32 pages | Paperback

With its smart design, beautiful illustrations and perfect size to pop in a backpack, Take Me Outdoors is a fun, lively way to engage with the wild and natural world. Each of the five ‘adventure’ chapters help children to engage with their surroundings, from their own backgarden or local park, to a beach, forest or lakeside. As they complete lists, draw pictures and answer questions, they will be thinking carefully about the environment and nature as they experience it – what they can see, hear and feel, and how they can look after it. A final chapter allows them to compare their adventures, and there's also a useful glossary so they can learn new words and ideas. Fun, quirky and bursting with facts about birds, bugs and plants; the weather and the environment; expeditions and explorers; and the artists and writers who have been inspired by nature, this book is a must for children curious about the incredible world they live in. It's both a great keepsake and a tool for sparking creative writing.

Reviews
"A book to make going outside an inspiring adventure. This little paperback does much more than it says on the tin. . . It really should make young people see and think differently about the natural world around them, and packs in a great deal of information and stimulation." -- Andrea Reece, LoveReading4Kids

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.20" x 8.00" | Colour illustrations throughout 

The Métis Alphabet Colouring Book is an adaptation of Joseph Jean Fauchon’s popular children’s book of the same name. With enhanced cultural content, this colouring book highlights historical figures, significant events, places of interest and other aspects of Métis identity to take youthful readers beyond the alphabet to explore the richness of Métis history and culture. George Gingras’s images—which are meant to be coloured and are inspired by illustrations and photos—provide an engaging complement to the text. The Métis Alphabet Colouring Book strengthens Métis pride and identity while providing young readers with an informative reference book about the essence of being Métis.

Educator Information
Includes colouring pages and pages with factual text information. 

Additional Information
74 Pages | 8.5" x 11" 

A first of its kind, Pacific Northwest Indigenous Art Activity Book features playful educational activities for children. Each page features original Indigenous art alongside fun and challenging activities intended to develop reading, writing, colouring, and problem solving skills.

Additional Information
24 pages 

An official companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller, this guided journal contains more than 50 activities to support your anti-racism journey.

In This Book Is Anti-Racist, Tiffany Jewell and Aurélia Durand gave us an essential volume to understand anti-racism. Now, in the journal companion, understand your anti-racist self and dive further into the work. Within the vibrantly illustrated pages, you will find some familiar information along with new reflections and prompts to go deeper.

This anti-racist toolkit gives you space to learn and grow through activities centered around identity, history, family, your universe, disruption, self-care, privilege, art, expression, and much more, including:
- Create a map of you by drawing, collaging, sticking, and painting your many and favorite social and personal identities
- Discover how diverse your universe is by writing down the races and ethnicities of the people in your life
- Design your own buttons that share your beliefs, values, and what you stand for
- Write a letter to your future self to share your dreams and how you are growing into your anti-racism
- Make a plan and be ready for scenarios when you are confronted by racist comments, actions, and policies
- Brainstorm your anti-racist vision of what our communities will look like without racism and how we can get there

“Continue to stay awake, start taking action, and always lean into the work of disrupting racism. Together, we can abolish the system that continues to misuse and abuse power and collectively work for anti-racism.” —Tiffany Jewell

Reviews
"This journal gives children (and adults) tools to learn about identity, privilege, history, family, and much more. Through a range of activities, you can plan for future scenarios where you may come across racism and how you will handle it. A brilliant book for older children, teenagers and adults, it would be great for use in schools too!”—Diverse Kids Books Blog

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 11 to 15.

Find the accompanying resource here: This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.60" x 8.55" | Paperback

Alaskan Alison Bremner reclaims her ancestral language in this Tlingit coloring book featuring her original art. Alongside each drawing, each animal is identified by their English and Tlingit names. The English and Tlingit sentences below explain each animal’s cultural significance. Tlingit Animals is intended to teach younger generations Tlingit culture and language, in addition to developing reading skills and creativity.

Educator Information
24 pages colouring and language book Tlingit Indigenous Art

Printed in Canada

Additional Information
24 Pages

Each page offers traditional and cultural insights into the natural and supernatural worlds. Thought-provoking questions are intended to deepen personal development and our relationships with others. The corresponding animal on the next page allows readers to take the time to further reflect and connect with their creativity as they colour in the animals.

Additional Information
32 Pages

Tom Hunter's outstanding artwork and clever brainteasers provide entertainment and instruction for children, parents and teachers. Canada is home to hundreds of species of amphibians, reptiles and insects, as well as over 1,200 different kinds of larger animals: birds, fish and mammals. Hunter provides an introduction to many of these species.

Canadian Wildlife Activity Book: Volume One contains over 200 detailed illustrations, including the largest creature that has appeared on Earth: BC's blue whale, a mammal that weighs up to 120 tonnes. Canada is also home to North America's smallest mammal—the pygmy shrew, which weighs about the same as a soda cracker.

The Canadian Library Association calls this "a splendid activity book . . .drawings are accurate and the animals look as if they could step off the page . . . invaluable on a family camping holiday."

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
80 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Tom Hunter's outstanding artwork and clever brainteasers provide entertainment and instruction for children, parents and teachers. Canada is home to hundreds of species of amphibians, reptiles and insects, as well as over 1,200 different kinds of larger animals: birds, fish and mammals. Hunter provides an introduction to many of these species.

Canadian Wildlife Activity Book: Volume Two contains over 200 detailed illustrations, ranging from Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep to leopard frogs, which help children identify and appreciate their magnificent wildlife heritage.

The Canadian Library Association calls this "a splendid activity book . . .drawings are accurate and the animals look as if they could step off the page . . . invaluable on a family camping holiday."

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
80 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Native Elements - Colouring Our Drums: Northwest Coast First Nations and Art

We are all born to the beat of a drum, it is within us. Our drum beat is what leads us to find our own path through our journey in life. - Doug Horne, Coast Salish

Features:

Features 32 pages of original drum drawings from Northwest Coast Indigenous artists.  One page at the beginning of the book includes words and insights from the artists about drums.

Printed in Canada using non-toxic, vegetable based ink, and water based coating.

32 pages; measures 8.5" x 11".

Additional Information
This is a colouring book for adults and young adults; however, intermediate and secondary students would still enjoy colouring in the intricate drum drawings.

An Indigneous Art Colouring Book for Adults and Children.

IKWE is a colouring book by Anishinaabe artist Jackie Traverse. Featuring brand new works, the stunning images in IKWE celebrate the spiritual and ceremonial aspects of women and their important role as water protectors. 

“I had the privilege of going to Standing Rock twice. The strength and power that came from the women there inspired this book. To be a woman is to be a life giver and water protector. Even if you never have children, you have that sense, and the duty to honour and protect the water is within you,” writes Traverse.

Reviews
“The importance of celebrating Indigenous women and girls’ space and place within our collective journey toward healing, empowerment and reconciliation cannot be overstated. When we, as Indigenous women and girls, see ourselves reflected in positive and powerful ways, it renders emotional and spiritual transformative change in our lives. Jackie’s art, her book and her life fundamentally contribute to the positive imagery of Indigenous women and offers a sacred way to understand one another moving toward reconciliation in Canada.” — Nahanni Fontaine, NDP MLA for St. Johns, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba

“Jackie’s work is that medicine that connects us all to a time when the earth and her women were equally respected as sacred —life givers, leaders, teachers and healers. Her genius is to help make us remember.” — Leslie Spillett, Ka Ni Kanichihk, Winnipeg

“I first received Jackie’s colouring book as a gift. I was immediately struck by the feminine strength, beauty and resiliency in her drawings. The teachings she shares in the back of the colouring book add so much spiritual depth to her already powerful work! Hiy hiy mistahi Jackie for sharing your gifts of art and words, along with your cultural teachings with your drawings. — Lynette La Fontaine, Aboriginal nurse educator with Chee Mamuk, BC CDC

Additional Information
50 pages | 10.00" x 8.00"

Let them go outside and play! More parents are heeding the advice of specialists who urge them to do just that. By playing outside with friends, kids learn valuable interpersonal and negotiation skills and how to make decisions. Outdoor play teaches about the natural world, fosters creativity, and encourages physical activity.

101 Things For Kids To Do Outside is ideal for parents, teachers, and all those working with youth. This book is ideal for the children who like gaming, TV, movies, the soft couch, and even too many snacks. The kids who believe "there's nothing to do outside" can learn and be encouraged to experience the joy of outdoor play.

Each activity is described in language easy for a 6- to 9-year-old and illustrated with engaging graphics. Younger children may need direction, at least the first time. Large pictures display all the fun to be had. The activities range from 10 minutes to hours and hours of fun. Some require creativity, make-believe or physical exertion but they are all outside. Perfect for rainy days, sunshiny days, even snowy days.

Examples of the 101 activities are:
Weave a bird's nest
Set up a potion lab
Make nature rubbings
Build a crawl tunnel
Hold a mini Olympics
Build a human sundial
Make a nature walk bracelet
Capture animal tracks
Fly a homemade kite
Make a rain gauge
Make a snow maze.

Reviews
While the cover art is adorable, the photos inside are stunning! This book is full of creative, easy, and original ideas that your kids will adore.
— MaryAnne, Mama Smiles Blog

Great gift for any child... Would also be resourceful to any parent, teacher or caregivers... Plenty of fun ideas not only for children, but for families to enjoy together. And the most important thing -- with 101 Things For Kids To Do Outside, your kids will never be bored again.
— Lily Zunic, Craft, Learn and Play Blog

The hands-on guide, 101 Things for Kids to Do Outside, gives you more than enough activities, games and projects to get your children or students moving and learning in the great outdoors. Colorful illustrations and photographs combine with detailed and easy to follow instructions in order to spark lots of outdoor exploration... This book is great for parents and educators, but also for young people ages 5-12 to lead their own explorations.
— Raine Sillito, Green Teacher

Additional Information
224 pages | 8.25" x 8.50" | full colour throughout, line drawings, resources, index

Who are the Ojibway people, and how did they come to live in the lands of the Great Lake? Let Mishomis, or “Grandfather” in the Ojibway language, draw you a picture. In these delightful coloring books, the history of the Ojibway unfolds, beginning with the story of creation.

As Original Man (some will call him Anishinabe) walks the Earth, giving names to all things, Mishomis carries young readers along with Ojibway lore and wonder and with pictures asking to be brought to colorful life. The story follows the first five books of The Mishomis Book, telling of the Original Man’s grandmother, Nokomis; of the Earth’s first people; and of the Great Flood that changed everything. Thank Gitchie Manito for Turtle, on whose back the new world rests! Coloring along with Mishomis’s words, readers will be enchanted to learn the legends and discover the spirit of the Ojibway traditions and way of life.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 4 to 6.

This is a set of five coloring books that accompany the book The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway (sold separately).

Additional Information
111 pages | 11.00" x 11.00"