Healing and Wellness

As a child of two military parents, Deb Haaland moved around a lot when she was young before finally settling in Albuquerque to be near family. But she persisted, studying hard and eventually earning a law degree. An enrolled member of the Pueblo Laguna nation, Deb was one of the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress, where she represented New Mexico's 1st District. In 2021, when the Senate confirmed her as President Biden's secretary of the interior, she became the first Native American in history to become a cabinet secretary. She continues to break barriers and inspire future generations to dream of greater opportunities.

In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Laurel Goodluck, readers learn about the amazing life of Deb Haaland--and how she persisted.

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Deb Haaland's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This book is part of the She Persisted series, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.31" x 7.63" | B&W Interior Illustrations | Paperback

A magical mirror helps a young girl understand her true beauty in this new picture book from the creators of Nibi’s Water Song.

When Challa comes home in tears after being teased about her smile, her mom gives her a special gift. It’s a magic mirror — shiny, beaded and beautiful — passed on from her mom, and from her djo djo before her.

Challa’s mom tells her that when anyone looks into the mirror, they will see their true self. There’s just one rule: Everyone has to say what they see in the reflection.

At first the mirror seems to work for everyone but her. Challa keeps looking and looking. The more beauty she sees in herself, the happier she feels, and the longer she looks into the mirror, the more beauty she sees, until finally Challa sees so much beauty, she can't contain her smile!

This special story, from award-winning activist Sunshine Quem Tenasco and artist Chief Lady Bird, introduces readers to concepts of self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and recognition of the unique beauty that comes from within.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

This book is available in French here: Un si beau sourire

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.78" x 9.83" | Hardcover

The 5 Ws and How Series has been created to help All of Us learn and understand who we are, as Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.

The first book in this series, Smudging and the Four Sacred Medicines, will guide you as you learn about Sacred Medicines and Smudging. Learn how Smudging helps us stay strong and connected to All of Creation. Indigenous Peoples have always Smudged and use Sacred Medicines in Ceremony, for Healing, and in daily life. This book shows which Medicines to use in a Smudge, how to Respect the Spirit of the Medicines when Smudging, and reminds us that Smudging is for Everyone!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for grades 2 to 5.

This book is part of The 5 Ws and How Series.

Includes information about who, where, how, and when to smudge.

Shares information about the four sacred medicines (tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, cedar).

Additional Information
20 Pages | Hardcover 

It’s a beautiful day, and Spencer the Siksik can’t wait to play with his friends!

Gary the Snow Goose wants to play Inuit baseball. Spencer thinks tag is more fun. When Spencer and Gary disagree, Spencer storms off. Can Spencer and Gary come up with a decision that they are both happy with? See how Spencer and Gary learn about one of the eight guiding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles: consensus decision-making.

Don’t miss the rest of Spencer’s adventures! Each book in this series follows Spencer the Siksik and Gary the Snow Goose as they learn about one of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles. The IQ principles are a set of Inuit beliefs, values, and communal laws focused on living a good life and the ways one is expected to behave. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally translates to "that which Inuit have always known to be true."

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of a series that teaches children about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, or "IQ" principles, which are a set of communal laws that focus on the ways one is expected to behave. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally translates to "that which Inuit have always known to be true." This book teaches the IQ principle of consensus decision-making.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.50" x 10.50" | Paperback

Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq: Respecting the land, animals, and environment.

Spencer can’t wait for gym class. He can’t wait to play soccer baseball! But his teacher announces that the class will be cleaning up the playground instead. Spencer is upset. He never litters, so why should he pick up other people’s trash? When his friend Gary gets stuck in a discarded plastic ring, Spencer remembers what his grandmother taught him about taking care of the land. Can Spencer make it up to his classmates before the community clean-up is over? Follow along with Spencer and Gary as they learn about one of the eight guiding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles: respecting the land, animals and environment.

Don’t miss the rest of Spencer’s adventures! Check out the series to find out how Spencer and Gary learn about each of the eight guiding Qaujimajatuqangit principles.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of a series that teaches children about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, or "IQ" principles, which are a set of communal laws that focus on the ways one is expected to behave. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally translates to "that which Inuit have always known to be true." Spencer the Siksik Cleans Up teaches children about the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of respecting the land, animals, and environment. 

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.50" x 9.50" | Paperback

An inspiring true story about how an activist in the Amazon worked with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests.

Patricia (Paty) Gualinga grew up in her Kichwa village in the Amazon of Ecuador where mystical beings called Amazanga help protect the forest. Paty traveled away from home for school until she was called back—companies that said the government sold them property were destroying her people’s lands to look for oil. The Kichwa community worked with other Indigenous groups to bring the Ecuadorian government to the Court of Human Rights.

Lyrically told and beautifully illustrated, this moving story will remind readers of the importance of nature conservation, perseverance, and standing up for your community.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.87" x 11.00" | Hardcover

Tani Turtle and The Seven Teachings is a story about Truth. Let’s learn the Seven Teachings! Each story has simple and repetitive words. These Early Learner stories are for young children.

Educator & Series Information
Early Learner story.  The publisher recommends this title for kindergarten to grade 4.

This book is part of The Seven Teaching series.

Additional Information
Paperback

What happens when we die? In this beautifully illustrated Native American tale, a wise grandmother explains their people's understanding of death to her granddaughter as they work together on the land, for which they show an exemplary respect and love.

In this Native American tale, a wise grandmother explains the meaning of death, or the Great Change, to her questioning granddaughter. While going through their daily tasks in the Native way, taking from Mother Earth only what is needed and returning what is not used so as to replenish her, nine-year-old Wanba asks, “Why do fish have to die? Why does anything have to die? Why did Grandpa have to die?” Grandmother explains that just as a caterpillar “dies” only to become a beautiful butterfly, there is no “death” in the Circle of Life—only the Great Change.

This is a story of passing on tradition, culture, and wisdom to the next generation. It is a moving tale for everyone—child and adult—who wonders about what lies beyond this life.

Reviews
A gentle and sensitive story about mortality and the interconnectedness of generations and of life-forms that provides a nondoctrinal, reassuring response to a child's questions about the necessity of death. Grigg's watercolors are spare, with washes of brilliant color (cheering a potentially somber subject) against pure white pages. The characters are not romanticized, but the overall effect is delicate and impressionistic." —Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle Grades 3–6, School Library Journal

This wistful text, based on a Native American tale, ponders the meaning of life and death—reaching the sensible if daunting conclusion that one is impossible without the other.…Delicate pastel watercolors capture the story's essence on gossamer wings with a pleasing combination of sophistication and childish impressibility. —Publisher's Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"  | Paperback 

This traditional story, retold by Kugaaruk Elder Levi Illuitok, tells the tale of a Inuk boy who is adopted by little folk­—a magical race of small Arctic people called inugarulliit. The boy’s adopted parents finally allow him to go hunting, where he catches a lemming. The little folk use their abilities to turn the lemming into a polar bear, and the catch is stored at their iglu. The boy’s parents are proud that their son can provide lots of meat to share with the community. This is a magical introduction to a traditional Inuit story for young readers.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
28 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover

The little spirit doll is made with clay and wood. The clay was taken without ceremony from her river bank home so the little spirit doll feels traumatized from being ripped from her home and feels that she has no name and no one who loves her. She goes on a journey to heal and with the help of friends and spirit guides, she finds her way.

This 40-page book contains illustrations that are gradually coloured in as the doll heals. It is a great way to teach children about trauma and healing.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
40 Pages | 8.5"x 6" | soft cover 

On the banks of the Gwa’yi River, a young Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w princess grows up to be a curious student, an influential leader, and a mother. She is a humble person and doesn’t speak of her royalty to her children, but when they learn she is a princess at a traditional celebration, they are in disbelief. She doesn’t wear fancy clothes or attend balls or do anything the children think princesses should do. Using a strategy they had read about in an old tale to put their mother’s royalty to the test, the children discover the truth. But more importantly, they also learn what it really means to be a princess.

Written as a tribute to the author’s grandmother, this beautifully illustrated story reimagines a fairy tale in a contemporary Indigenous setting.

Awards

• First Place: 2025 Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society Book Awards for BC Authors
• Longlisted: 2024-2025 First Nation Communities READ Award

Reviews
"The author was inspired by the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Anderson when she wrote this story to honour her grandmother. In this contemporary version, two children, while attending a traditional Indigenous celebration, are surprised to hear that their mother is a princess. She has never mentioned her royalty, and she doesn’t act the way the children think princesses generally behave. Remembering the story that told of placing a pea under mattresses to test if a person is a real princess, the children secretly place a pair of pants under their mother’s mattress and anxiously wait to hear if her sleep is affected. In the morning, they learn not only the truth, but also what it really means to be a princess.

Classroom Connections: The Princess and the Pants could be used in the classroom to compare different versions of fairy tales. It could also serve as a springboard into discussions about the personal qualities that the author wished to celebrate when she wrote this story. A short biographical note about Dr. Evelyn Voyageur—a notable Indigenous leader—is included. Beautiful illustrations depict aspects of a Kwakwaka’wakw culture." - Canadian Teacher Magazine, Fall 2023 issue

"A contemporary Indigenous spin on the Princess and the Pea, the picture book is suitable as a part of a fairy tale unit and a read-aloud to spark discussions about personal qualities and attributes, expectations, stereotypes, curiosity, the importance of helping others, and honouring traditions." - Focused Education Resources

“Loved the role modelling of the princess as one who represents adventure, cultural knowledge, and caring for others while finding achievement. The story promotes respect, admiration, humility, kindness, and honouring of a strong, successful female. The imaginative story is a fun challenge to princess stereotypes and classic related fairytales. The nonfiction content provides an enriching and personalized bonus that deepens the impact of the words and provides local significance. Well done. The illustrations are excellent, offering accurate and attractive cultural designs, clothing, head ware, and jewelry.” – The 2025 Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society judges’ panel

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Backmatter provides details about Ukwanalis, including a map, as well as information about the inspiration behind the story, Dr. Evelyn Voyageur.

Curriculum Connections 

• Early Literacy – listening, reading, and discussing 
• Art – traditional Indigenous art practices, including jewellery and regalia 
• Social Studies – career education, family history, connection to community, geography, and local First Peoples communities 
• Language Arts – contemporary First Peoples stories and revisioning classic fairy tales 
• Social Responsibility – leadership, humility, caring for others, and honouring traditions 

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8.5” x 11” | Hardcover | 9781771746038

In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes.

Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn’t want to talk about him, but Mia can’t help but feel like she’s missing a part of herself without him in her life.

Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma—without telling her mom—to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side.

This graphic novel by Muscogee-Jewish writer and artist Emily Bowen Cohen is perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that centers stories about contemporary Indigenous young people.

Awards

• New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids
• National Jewish Bok Award 

Reviews
"The story is well crafted, with Jewish and Muscogee beliefs integrated to great effect and art that enhances the text. A powerful graphic novel about honoring every part of our identity." — Kirkus Reviews

"In Mia’s struggle to reconcile her ancestries, the creator develops a credible portrayal of self-image and acceptance. Plentiful panels rendered in earth tones further enhance this nuanced portrait of Mia’s search for identity." — Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
256 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Team Tuktu and Friends is up to bat! Ukaliq is excited to spend the day with his friends, but he’s nervous about playing Inuktitut baseball. What if he isn’t any good at it? Tiri is fast, Nanuq is strong, and Tuktu has good aim. What if Ukaliq can’t even hit the ball? As the game ramps up and Ukaliq steps up to the plate, will he be able to discover his own unique baseball talent?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 - 5.

This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Ukaliq Learns to Play Inuktitut Baseball shows children that everyone has their own unique skills.

F&P Level: L

Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

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

A mother — the author of this story — shares Lakota cultural experiences with her daughter, introducing her to waci (dance) as a way to celebrate life. Wacipi (powwow), where the dancing occurs, is a setting for Indigenous song, dance, regalia, food and crafts.

A warm, family story for all ages, Waci! Dance! visually embraces the joy of being together and caring for each other. (A glossary and author's note are included.)

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 9.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum.

Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn’t feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort.

Inspired by her son’s experience—and her family's love of powwow music and dance—Indigenous educator and champion hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche shares this uplifting true story of the transformative effects of culturally safe and inclusive early childhood education.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Find the dual-language (English and Plains Cree) version here: We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipeyimikonaw 

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover