Indigenous Peoples

This companion to Twelve Days of Winter is another book to read or sing along with children. In this reimagined version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” wildlife is observed during summer. The animals enjoy warmer weather, blooming flowers, and sunny days. Summer is also a busy time for animal parents who are wrangling their little ones. “On the first day of summer we looked around to see a black bear in an oak tree.”

Can you find a curious chipmunk watching other animals enjoying the summer?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.30" x 10.30" | Hardcover 

This bestselling, innovative picture book introduces readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk—or Two-Eyed Seeing, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language—as we follow a group of young children connecting to nature as their teacher.

A poetic, joyful celebration of the Lands and Waters as spring unfolds: we watch for Robin's return, listen for Frog's croaking, and wonder at maple tree's gift of sap. Grounded in Etuaptmumk, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—which braids together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing—and the Mi’kmaq concept of Netukulimk—meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors, present, and future generations—Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, plant-life, animals and other-than-human beings for the benefit of all.

Reviews
"Walking Together is a poetic celebration grounded in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) that weaves together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing. The story explores respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships between the land, water, plants, animals, and humans." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Introduces the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (the gift of multiple perspectives) to young readers.

This book is available in a bilingual format: Walking Together / Menaqaj Pemwije’tulti’k

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.90" x 8.90" | Paperback

Kudlu's children will not go to sleep until he tells them a story of long ago. Before they will shut their eyes, they want to hear about a time long before Kudlu was born, a time when the world was magic. Before they can sleep, they want to hear about giants, animals disguised as humans, little people the size of lemmings, and all of the other wonderful things that existed way back then.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Bilingual: English and Inuktitut 

Reviews
“A bilingual sampler—cold of setting but warm of spirit.” — ★ Kirkus

Additional Information
44 pages | 8.75" x 8.75" | Paperback 

The beloved book about playtime from award-winning Cree-Métis author and artist Julie Flett. Now available as a board book, We All Play is the perfect gift for a new baby or toddler!

Baby animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Julie Flett’s iconic illustrations celebrate birds who chase and chirp, bears who wiggle and wobble, and owls who peek and peep. A group of kids love to do the same thing, shouting, “We play too! kimêtawânaw mîna.”

At the end of the book, the baby animals and kids gently fall asleep after a fun day of playing outside, making this book a great bedtime story. Featuring a glossary of Cree animal names used, We All Play is a beautiful ode to the creatures we share our world with, and belongs on every bookshelf.

Awards

• 2021 Bull-Bransom Illustration Award winner

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and under. 

This book is available in a hardcover format: We All Play (HC)

Additional Information
34 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Board Book

A whimsical and lyrical celebration of imagination and exploration if we simply asked, “What if . . .”

Follow two siblings through their day as they let their imaginations run wild in this joyful story about all the possibilities a simple “what if” can conjure up: What if the monsters in your closet wanted to be your friend? What if all of the dinosaurs were shrunk to be teeny-tiny when the comet hit the earth? And what if bedtime didn’t exist and we could imagine anything we wanted?

What If Bedtime Didn’t Exist? places an Urban Indigenous family at the heart of a fun and fantastical celebration of daydreaming, adventure, and play while living in the city. The tenderness and care in this intergenerational home is seen through relationships with all members in the family.

Mathias Ball’s vibrant illustrations bring each page of acclaimed author Francine Cunningham’s debut picture book to life. What If Bedtime Didn’t Exist? opens up new spaces for creativity and endless possibilities into our everyday world.

Reviews
“A tenderly written, beautifully illustrated story that taps into our creative selves. I can already hear the oohs and awes and giggles, and see little fingers circling around the drawings discovering each “what if” and imagining the imaginings. A wonderful story that’s going to kick off so many conversations between readers about all of the “what ifs!”. So much fun!” — Julie Flett, author of We All Play and Birdsong

“What if the imagination of kids created the world? Then every day would be filled with the rollicking, bright and sparkling, fantastical, astronomical adventures Francine Cunningham and Mathias Ball give us here. Sign me up!” — Caroline Adderson, author of more than twenty books for children including It Happened on Sweet Street and Norman, Speak!

“What if Bedtime Didn’t Exist? is a day dream that sings and celebrates the innocence of imagination. Every page is pure cozy magic! I want to live in this book! I love it!” — Richard Van Camp, author of What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?

“Francine Cunningham has gifted us a story for readers in search of adventure in the everyday. What if Bedtime Didn’t Exist showcases Cunningham’s writing as expansive as riding with dragons and as intimate as confiding hard feels with ladybugs. For the adventurous and sensitive kid alike, What If Bedtime Didn’t Exist is guided by two Indigenous siblings with boundless curiosity, who remind us that the true source of our magic is embedded in our own imaginations.” — Whitney French, editor of Black Writers Matter

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts for k to 3.

Themes: Childhood, Family.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover

"There are many things I would like to do and see with my friend in Qikiqtarjuaq."

Monica wants to visit her friend Mary in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut. Monica likes to imagine all the fun they will have together there. Monica and Mary will go camping, fish for delicious Arctic char, and see the big icebergs around the community. There will be lots to do when Monica visits Qikiqtarjuaq in this bilingual picture book!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut.

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

Additional Information
19 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation, and she communicates an important message here for readers of all ages through her carefully chosen words. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

Reviews
“Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities—and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.” —Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and under.

Themes: Teaching Compassion, Being Kind, Family, Friendship, Gratitude

This book is also available in hardcover format: When We Are Kind

This book is also available in a dual-language hardcover format: When We Are Kind / Nihá’ádaahwiinít’íįgo

This book is also available in French: Nous sommes gentils

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Board Book

Nothing welcomes spring like a wild onion dinner!

As the dirt warms and green sprouts poke up, a Cherokee girl joins her family in the hunt for green onions. Together, they pick enough to bring to a feast, which is cooked with love and shared by their community.

Idalisdayvhvga!

Let’s all eat!

Written with simple, sensory lyricism by Andrea Rogers (Cherokee) and featuring warm, vibrant art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw), this picture book celebrates the spring tradition of wild onion dinners—and the community and comfort that are shared when we gather.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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

Bear has fast legs. Turtle has a fast mind. Who will win the race? A fun Indigenous story that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own.

Ready, set, go!
Bear will go over the ice.
Turtle will go under the ice.
Bear runs fast.
But where is Turtle?

When a quick-footed bear and a quick-witted turtle race across a frozen lake, Turtle has a secret plan to win!

Reviews
"With just a few words per page, presented in a large font, and visuals that reflect the action, this one is ideal for beginning readers. Exaggerated, energetic cartoon illustrations enhance the easy-to-read text. Children will be charmed by the humor, drama, fun twist, and wonderfully entertaining characters. The characters’ strengths and savvy will delight emerging readers."—Kirkus Reviews

"This clever tale should find a place in most collections, especially given the lack of Indigenous voices and representation in the beginning reader format."—School Library Journal

Educator & Series Information
Written and illustrated by Mohawk author-illustrator Arihhonni David, this easy reader based on an Indigenous tale combines exciting storytelling and easy-to-read language.

This book has been officially leveled by using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient leveling system. It is a Level G.

This book is a guided reader based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards.  

High-quality illustrations support comprehension of simple text. Fun for kids to read again and again with their parents, teachers, or on their own!

This book is part of the I Like to Read series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 7.78" x 9.99" | Paperback

From Indigenous creative team Deidre Havrelock and Aly McKnight comes a powerful and exuberant story about the heritage, joy, and healing power of the Jingle Dress Dance—a perfect read-aloud picture book.
 
It’s a special day—the day of the Jingle Dress Dance! Before the big powwow, there’s a lot to do: getting dressed, braiding hair, packing lunches, and practicing bounce-steps. But one young girl gets butterflies in her stomach thinking about performing in front of her whole community. When the drumbeats begin, though, her family soothes her nerves and reminds her why she dances.
 
Emerging historically in response to the global influenza pandemic of 1918–19, the Jingle Dress Dance is a ceremonial dance of healing and prayer that still thrives today in many Indigenous and First Nations communities across North America. Lyrically and rhythmically written with lush, full-color illustrations, Why We Dance is a joyous celebration of a proud Indigenous tradition that inspires hope, resilience, and unity.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 11.00" x 8.50"| Hardcover

Just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, here is a dramatic and inspiring autobiographical tale of overcoming odds by Native American gold medalist Billy Mills, with stunning illustrations by acclaimed Lakota artist SD Nelson.

Billy Mills was once an orphan on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation. But before his father was called to the ancestors, he told Billy how to conquer his suffering: You have broken wings, son. You have to dig deeper, below the anger, the hurt, the self-pity. The pursuit of a dream will heal you.

Despite poverty, racism, and severe health challenges, Billy raced toward his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, inspired by his indigenous ancestors who stood strong when the odds were against them. Though at times he felt like his wings were clipped—a lone bird falling from the sky—he adapted and overcame, finally earning his place at the 1964 Olympics.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

This autobiographical tale of Billy Mills’s awe-inspiring flight to a record-breaking gold medal, breathtakingly illustrated by award-winning Lakota artist SD Nelson, is a soaring testament to Billy’s legacy and the Lakota prayer: we are all related.

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.00" x 10.00"| Hardcover

You Are Not Alone is an illustrated children's book about growing up in the North as an Inuit child and looking for friends. This book is a debut collaboration between Tagiuk Ikkidluak, an emerging Inuit author and Arnaq Pitsiulak, an Inuit artist and illustrator.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
26 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Paperback

Educator Information
You Are the Land is a perfect read-aloud for children ages 3 to 6 in both classrooms and homes.

Curriculum Connections:
Early Literacy – listening, reading, discussing, and rhyming

Art – traditional Anishinaabe clothing and art

Health and Wellness – breath and balance, self-affirmation, connection to nature for physical health and wellness, and traditional medicines

Science – harmonious ecosystems, biodiversity of plants and animals with Indigenous cultural importance, environmental awareness

Social Responsibility – uplifting others and ourselves, respecting Mother Earth

Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions – teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel, the Seven Generations, the Three Sisters, and All Our Relations

Series Information
You Are the Land is the second book in the All That You Are series. Through lyrical text and colourful watercolour illustrations, the All That You Are series uses the teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel to remind children of their connection to the world around them. Each book in the series focuses on one quadrant of the Medicine Wheel representing one kind of wellness—Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, or Mental. A diagram and description of the Medicine Wheel are included at the back of each book. Also included are Anishinaabe Connections, which share more about Anishinaabe art, culture, and traditions explored in the text and illustrations. Books in the All That You Are series are best suited for children ages 3 to 6 and make wonderful read-alouds in classrooms and homes.

You Are Sacred is the first book in the series.

A percentage of proceeds from the All That You Are series is donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society to support their efforts in advocacy for justice and healing. To find out more information, please visit https://www.irsss.ca/.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-77174-632-8

Encourage children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions.

Award-winning author and international speaker Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with others. With vibrant illustrations from award-winning author and illustrator Danielle Daniel, this is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

Educator Information
This board book version of You Hold Me Up is recommended for ages 2 and under.

This book is available in hardcover: You Hold Me Up

This book is available in English and Plains Cree: You Hold Me Up / ê-ohpinitoyahk

This book is available in English and Anishinaabemowin: You Hold Me Up / Gimanaadenim 

This book is also available in French: Tu es là pour moi

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Board Book

With humor and heart, and brought to life by Jonathan Nelson’s warm, distinctive artwork, Kim Rogers’s A Letter for Bob celebrates the treasured cars that carry us through our most meaningful childhood moments.

Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie’s family.

Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway family. Bob has been there in sad and scary times and for some of the family’s most treasured memories.

But after many miles, it’s time for the family to say goodbye to Bob…

This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car—and all the stories and love carried along for the ride—will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car!

Kim Rogers is the author of Just Like Grandma, illustrated by Julie Flett, which received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, which called it “a joyous, uplifting celebration of culture and family.”

Awards

• American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner

Reviews
"I adore this book with a completeness I didn't anticipate. I'll be sharing it at every workshop I do, with librarians, educators, teacher-educators... everyone." — Dr. Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature

"An engaging, emotionally resonant picture book." — Booklist (starred review)

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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