First Nations

This inspiring children's book -- a revised edition of the award-winning Flight of the Hummingbird -- is based on a South American Indigenous story about a courageous hummingbird who defies fear and expectations in her attempt to save the forest from fire. The illustrated story is supplemented by a natural and cultural history of hummingbirds, as well as an inspiring message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. The evocative artwork by internationally renowned Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas complements the optimistic tale that encourages everyone to take responsibility for their home and the planet.

Reviews
“This fable-like tale shows readers how one person can make a difference in everyday life… The illustrations are… beautifully representative of Native Haida art.”—School Library Journal

“A visually striking, dramatic book… An environmental parable it is, but could it not be a parable for life itself?”—The Globe and Mail

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5+. 

Based on a South American Indigenous story, The Little Hummingbird features:

• Stunning artwork in Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas’ iconic style
• An inspiring afterword from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai
• Scientific and cultural facts about hummingbirds

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.75" x 10.00"

Follow the adventures of Chuck as he gets lost on his first trip to the big city. Chuck encounters stray dogs and alley cats, kids on skateboards and rollerblades, and tall office towers. After realizing he is lost, Chuck relies on what he has learned to find his way back to his kookum's (grandmother's) condo.

Chuck in the City is Jordan Wheeler's second book for children. The award-winning Cree author and scriptwriter previously introduced young readers to Chuck in Just a Walk. Wheeler writes in a rhyming style that will capture and hold a child's attention.

Series Information
This is the second book in the Chuck series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Dancing with the Cranes gives an understanding of birth, life and death. Chi's momma is soon to have a baby, but Chi is having a hard time being happy about it. Chi misses Temma (her grandma), who has passed away. Chi's momma and daddy help ease the pain of losing Temma and help Chi to understand life and death as a part of nature. Chi soon finds herself feeling comforted, knowing Temma will always be a part of her and looking forward to the new baby who will be a part of their lives.

Educator Information
Recommended for 6 to 8.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.97" x 9.95"

In Just a Walk, a young boy named Chuck goes for a simple walk that turns into a day of crazy adventure. Chuck encounters animals, fish and birds that lead him on a wild journey through their various habitats.

Jordan Wheeler's whimsical rhyming will capture the young readers attention and Chuck's hilarious predicaments will keep all ages laughing for more.

Written to excite the young readers and to leave a smile on their faces.

Educator & Series Information
Just a Walk is an adaptation of a popular oral presentation developed as an interactive performance for children.

This is the first book in the Chuck series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Can a sewing project make a difference half-way across the world?

Lacey Little Bird loves spending time with Kahasi, an elder on her reserve who is like a grandmother to her. From Kahasi, Lacey is learning about their people, the Siksika Blackfoot tribe of Alberta, including the art of beadwork.

Lacey hears about a project to help grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren because their parents have died from AIDS. Even though Africa is far, far away, Lacey wants to help and emails the grandmothers with a plan to raise money by selling beaded purses.

What difference can a young Blackfoot girl from North America make in the lives of grandmothers in Africa? A lot, as Lacey discovers. Her decision to help will bring about amazing changes in her life and her community.

Lacey and the African Grandmothers is based on true events, real people, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign.

This is a Kids Power Book – our series inspired by real stories of young people who have taken action to make their lives, and their world, better.

Reviews
"This is a story of remarkable courage and initiative in a young person who wanted to help others less fortunate." — Canadian Teacher, January 2009

"Holler includes the wisdom of the elders as personified by Kahasi, Lacey’s grandmother. Reverence for the old ways, through such traditional crafts as beading and making moccasins, is also documented...It would make an excellent introduction to a study of children making a difference in the world, such as the ongoing work of Craig Kielburger." — CM Magazine, August 2010

Educator & Series Information
Recommended Ages: 9-12

Lacey and the African Grandmothers is a fictionalized story inspired by a true one.

Subjects:

• Character Education
  > Empathy
  > Strong Female Characters
• History & Social Studies
  > Global Cultures
  > Social Justice
• Reflecting Diversity
  > Cultural & Ethnic Diversity
  > First Nations & Indigenous Peoples

This book is part of the Kids' Power Series.

Additional Information
164 pages | 6.52" x 8.01"

A sweet story about a little Quail who, through the love of his family, learns life lessons about feelings, emotions and expressing oneself.

Written for children of all backgrounds, with colorful illustrations, this story shares the important message of healthy living.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This book is part of the Caring For Me Series.

Additional Information
20 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Paperback

This moving sequel to the award-winning Shi-shi-etko tells the story of two children's experience at residential school. Shi-shi-etko is about to return for her second year, but this time her six-year-old brother, Shin-chi, is going, too. As they begin their journey in the back of a cattle truck, Shi-shi-etko takes it upon herself to tell her little brother all the things he must remember: the trees, the mountains, the rivers and the tug of the salmon when he and his dad pull in the fishing nets. Shin-chi knows he won't see his family again until the sockeye salmon return in the summertime.

When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko gives him a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from their father. The children's time is filled with going to mass, school for half the day, and work the other half. The girls cook, clean and sew, while the boys work in the fields, in the woodshop and at the forge. Shin-chi is forever hungry and lonely, but, finally, the salmon swim up the river and the children return home for a joyful family reunion.

Awards

Reviews
"Shin-Chi’s Canoe is a story about a brother and sister sent to a residential school and the separation from their culture they experience. Shin-Chi finds comfort with a little cedar canoe and the dream of returning home like the salmon. The children both find peace and strength by connecting to Mother Earth and the water. The story acknowledges the residential school system's devastating events while highlighting Indigenous children's strength and resiliency." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended Grades: 2-10.

Recommended Authentic First Peoples K-9 resource.

This illustrated children's story is recommended for English First Peoples Grades 10 for units pertaining to childhood through Indigenous writers' eyes and the exploration of residential schools and reconciliation through children's literature.

This book is available in French: La pirogue de Shin-chi

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 8.13"

One late fall day, the boy told the old people that he was going fishing. When he returned home, he said that he had caught a whale.

Un matin, juste avant l’arrivée de l’hiver, le garçon dit à ses parents qu’il part à la pêche. Peu de temps après, il revient chez lui, tout heureux d’annoncer qu’il a pêché une baleine.

Educator & Series Information
This book is delivered in a triple-language format of English, French, and Mi'kmaq.

This book is part of Collection Wabanaki.

How the Petitcodiac River Became Muddy is a trilingual picture book that retells a Mi'kmaq legend.

This simple story details the Mi'kmaq explanation for an eclipse, why the lobster turns red when it is put in boiling water, and how the Petitcodiac River became muddy long ago. This legend draws on the original version by Michael Francis (1923-1995) of Elsipogtog, New Brunswick. Glooscap figures prominently in this remarkable story that is recommended for language programs.

Educator & Series Information
The French title is Comment la riviÞre Petitcodiac devint boueuse. The Mi'kmaq title is Ta'n Tel-kisi-siskuapua'qsepp Petikotiak Sipu. Allison Mitcham tells the English version. Serena Sock provides the Mi'kmaq translation, and Marguerite Maillet provides the French translation. The dynamic art illustrations are created by Raymond Martin.

This book is part of Collection Wabanaki.

Additional Information
22 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

This is a celebration of the contemporary powwow, which provides a rhyming verse to attract young children to the fun one can enjoy at a powwow. Boyden skillfully takes the main points of a powwow and creates anticipation in the charming verse.

Powwow's coming, hear the beat?
Powwow's coming, dancing feet.
Powwow's coming, hear the drum?
Powwow's coming, everyone!

Frustrated as a schoolteacher not being able to find good instructional materials on American Indians, Linda Boyden has bypassed the tired stereotype of Indians on horseback or hunting game and placed them in today's setting of a powwow. 

Powwow's Coming provides children with a foundation for understanding and celebrating the enduring culture and heritage of American Indians. Boyden's exquisite cut-paper collage and engaging poem visually place readers within the scenes of a contemporary Native American community while offering a thoughtful look at powwows and their meanings to the Native participants.

Maintaining the Dene storytelling tradition of passing along the teachings to their children, John Blondin relayed the story of The Legend of the Caribou Boy as he heard it from his father, George Blondin a respected Elder and storyteller. Now written down in dual language the legend is passed on to you. Discover one small part of Dene history and the lessons that have been passed on for generations.

A young boy is having trouble sleeping at night. he is being called to fulfill his destiny, a destiny which lives on today in the traditions and culture of the Dene people and their relationship to the caribou and the land on which they live.

The multimedia CD included allows readers to hear and see the Dogrib legend in Dogrib and English on a Mac or PC computer or insert it into a CD player to listen to the story in either language.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 10.00" x 8.00"

Yamozha and His Beaver Wife is a story based upon an oral legend of the Dene people. Yamozha stories entertain but also teach and pass on knowledge. In this story, Yamozha forgets his promise to his wife and as a result she turns into a giant beaver. He chases her all over Denedeh but is unable to catch her. This story tells of how this great medicine man shaped the land in the Dogrib region and surrounding areas into what it is today. 

Additional Information
48 pages | 12.30" x 10.02"

This book provides a wonderful way to learn about First Nations cultures while counting! The traditional teachings are interesting and informative. Counting concepts, from numbers 1 to 21, promote harmony and goodwill.

Educator Information
The 1234 book gives children a chance to count while learning about Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island.  

Additional Information
45 Pages | 11” x 8.5”

A beautiful and visionary book, Ancient Thunder celebrates wild horses and the natural world of the prairies. Using an extraordinary technique, Leo Yerxa, an artist of Ojibway ancestry, makes paper look like leather, so that his illustrations seem to be painted on leather shirts. The art is accompanied by a rich song of praise for the wild horses that came to play such an important role in the lives of the First Peoples. 

Years in the making, the book is truly a work of art — one that reflects Yerxa's sense of nature and the place of the First Peoples within it.

Awards

• In 2008, Ancient Thunder was the award recipient for First Nation Communities Read.
• Winner of the Governor General's Award

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 and up (Grades k and up)

Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Visual Arts

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.30" x 10.80"

After ten-year-old Shawna moves to the West Coast with her mother, she misses everything from back home, including her school friends and the wide prairie skies of Manitoba. But most of all she misses Meshom (her grandfather). Delightfully, he arrives for her birthday and brings with him a surprising Little One with many important lessons to teach her.

Additional Information
58 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"