Kids Book

Delia’s mom has the most beautiful earrings.

They’re long and dangly earrings, and made from strands upon strands of tiny blue, green and white beads that make the earrings look like waterfalls. Delia decides to wear the earrings to school to show off a little to her friends. And it works—until one earring falls down the drain in the school bathroom.

When Delia confides in her grandmother about the lost earring, she learns that she can’t just replace it: her Aunt Maureen made the earrings for her mother to celebrate getting their Métis citizenship. Delia didn’t even know her family was Métis! With no way to replace the lost earring, Delia must own up to her mistakes, dive deeper into her Métis identity and use her storytelling skills to find a way to make things right.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: N 
Lexile measure: 610L 
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 3.5 
Guided Reading Level: N

This book is part of the Orca Echoes series.

Includes a Michif glossary. 

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.25" x 7.62" | 27 b&w illustrations | Paperback

A poignant and poetic picture book celebrating traditional Indigenous harvesting, foods, and the connections that these build for all our relations.

It’s a special day: the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favorite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to each instance of gathering, hunting, and harvesting foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons.

Willie Poll’s poetic voice leads the readers through the seasons and what Mother Earth offers to us in nature in this beautiful celebration of the Earth, our foods, our family, and the importance of grieving those we love. With an emphasis on the importance of thanking the land for what is given to us, sharing with our community, and offering a plate to our ancestors, this gentle and thoughtful tale will resonate with readers young and old alike. Shaikara David’s bright and inviting illustrations carry the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and back again.

Featuring an author’s note on traditional harvesting practices and a recipe for Nuwish, Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is a joyous exploration of love, food, and culture.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.75" x 9.75" | Hardcover 

In our little sharing circle…We care…We share… Our Little Sharing Circle is a gentle introduction to sharing, listening, and learning in the sharing circle. Our Little Sharing Circle is based on the bestselling picture book, The Sharing Circle.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

This book is based on the picture book The Sharing Circle.

Additional Information
10 pages | 6.00" x 6.00" | Board Book

We have a serious plastic problem.

What was supposed to be a miracle material when it was first invented is now one of the biggest sources of pollution on our planet. But where does plastic come from? Why do we use so much of it? How does it hurt the environment and the animals who live there? Our Plastic Problem looks at plastic's history, uses, and how it affects land, water, air and human health. It also explores innovations in bioplastic and recycling, and practical ways to reduce and replace the plastic in our lives. Working together, we can solve our plastic problem.

Reviews
“Like other books in the Orca Footprints series, this volume is accessible, broadly informative, and illustrated with many pertinent color photos. A timely introduction to a serious environmental issue.” — Booklist

“Durnford effectively communicates a sense of urgency. Young eco-activists will also find general guidelines for localized projects, as well as specific instructions for laundering clothing to reduce microfibre shedding, among other immediately applicable advice. Accentuates the positive without minimizing the issue’s scope.” — Kirkus Reviews

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Orca Footprint series.

Reading Levels:
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: X 
Lexile measure: 1070L
Guided Reading Level: X

Additional Information
48 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Includes 78 colour photographs, 1 index, 1 bibliography | Hardcover 

Good morning! Bonjour! Tānisi! Spend a day in Canada. Eat soft crepes with sticky maple syrup, play with atimwak in the snow and cache-cache in the park, and zip and zoom around the ice rink. Even learn words in French and Cree with pronunciation guides throughout the story.

Endnotes provide more insights into life in Canada.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and 3.

This book includes multicultural content about life in Canada.  It includes some French and Cree words/phrases.

Additional Information
20 pages | 6.70" x 6.50" | Boardbook 

This picture book is a small glimpse, from A to Z, of some of the sights and sounds of the Michif language and its speakers.

The language of the Metis, Michif is a combination of French and Cree with a trace of other regional languages. Once spoken by thousands of people across the prairies of Canada and the northern United States, Michif is now so little spoken that it might disappear within a generation.

This alphabet book is part of a resurgence to celebrate and preserve the traditions of the Metis people. Here Michif and English words combine with images from Metis culture to introduce all generations to the unique Michif language. The book even includes a brief introduction to the language's history, a pronunciation guide, and a list of references for those interested in learning more about Michif.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Dual-language: English and Michif.

Additional Information
56 pages | 8.25" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

En plein cœur de la ville, sur une rue très animée, Petit Loup aime s’assoir sur les marches du perron chez sa grand-mère. Parfois, les odeurs de la forêt lui manquent tellement qu’elle hurle à la lune. Ce chant animal réjouit son cœur.

Petit Loup est venue habiter en ville avec sa mère et sa sœur, mais l’ajustement n’a pas été facile. La nature et les animaux lui manquent terriblement. Le territoire traditionnel et sa culture lui manquent également. Puis le temps passe, et Petit Loup découvre la beauté de son nouvel environnement. Elle reste liée à sa culture, grâce au perlage et aux danses traditionnelles. Malgré des débuts difficiles, Petit Loup grandit dans la fierté de son héritage autochtone, prête à faire face à l’avenir.

Reviews
« Petit Loup de Spathelfer est un récit inspirant qui peut redonner courage aux enfants ayant perdu leur sens d’appartenance. Il convient parfaitement aux jeunes lecteurs et lectrices de la maternelle à la 4e année. »—Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools

« La force de Petit Loup réside dans le rapport délicat tissé entre difficultés vécues et espoir, dont le fil conducteur peut être la fierté de sa culture.... Recommandé. »—CM: Canadian Review of Materials

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: Little Wolf

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

L’auteur du livre à succès Ligne de trappe, lauréat du Prix du Gouverneur général, nous offre un magnifique album illustré sur le cheminement d’un garçon qui tente de surmonter le traumatisme générationnel causé par les pensionnats indiens.

Au coeur de la nuit, alors qu’il devrait dormir, James tourne et se retourne dans son lit. Il se pose de grandes questions, comme pourquoi n’avons nous pas le vertige alors que la Terre tourne. Durant des nuits comme celle-ci, il suit le chemin éclairé par le clair de lune jusqu’à la chambre de sa mère. Ils parlent, puis sa mère le prend dans ses bras et ils s’endorment comme ça.

Un jour, la kōkom de James l’emmène faire une promenade spéciale avec un grand groupe de personnes. Cela s’appelle une marche, et celle-ci se termine devant un grand tas d’objets : des ours en peluche, des fleurs, du tabac tressé et des petits souliers. Kōkom explique à James qu’il s’agit d’un monument commémoratif en l’honneur des enfants autochtones qui sont allés dans des pensionnats, mais qui n’en sont jamais revenus. Il apprend que sa kōkom a été emmenée dans l’une de ces écoles avec sa soeur, qui n’est pas non plus rentrée chez elle.

Cette nuit-là, James n’arrive pas à dormir et suit encore une fois le chemin éclairé par le clair de lune jusqu’à la chambre de sa mère.

Comprend une note de l’auteur, qui explique sa source d’inspiration pour ce livre.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

This book is available in English: Little Shoes

Additional Information
48 pages | 7.99" x 11.99" | Paperback

Let's go on a walk and practice our language!

What birds will we see? I see one sîsîp / pêyak little duck!

In a celebration of the connection between language learning and the land, a young child enjoys a walk in nature and spots different birds while practicing counting from one to ten in Plains Cree. With bright illustrations, rhyming clues in English and pronunciation guides on every page, pêyak little duck is a friendly introduction to Plains Cree and a celebration of the beauty of springtime in the Prairies and the Plains.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Learn to count from one to ten in Plains Cree. 

Simple rhyming English text complements Plains Cree vocabulary to help readers learn and practice the numbers one through ten. Illustration labels for birds and other natural objects are an opportunity for additional language learning.

Pronunciations are given beside each Cree number to support readers in their learning. The rhyme and rhythm of the English text also provides clues about how the Cree is pronounced. Additional pronunciations and information about language learning are provided in the back matter.

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

June 21 is celebrated all over Turtle Island (North America) as National Indigenous People’s Day. François and his friends are excited to celebrate their first public commemoration of this day with Poppa. They will host a morning sunrise ceremony, including Poppa’s teaching on the Seven Lessons of the Mi’kmaw Medicine Wheel.

In this third book of the “Poppa” series, Poppa celebrates his first National Indigenous People’s Day with his Mi’kmaw Community of St. George’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He can finally do so without fear of discrimination or oppression. After many years of having to hide his Indigenous ancestry, due to the colonial assimilation of his generation, Poppa’s grandson, François, invites him to his school as a respected Mi’kmaw Elder.

Poppa realizes with much joy that his Indigenous culture is bursting with revitalization and renewed pride in a heritage he feared would be lost and forgotten forever. He does not have to practise his cultural ceremonies in private any longer.

Come, join us as we rediscover the teachings of our Mi’kmaw Medicine Wheel and how our ancestors depended on it as a valuable teaching tool for our Peoples. The lessons of the Medicine Wheel are deeply profound and rich with Indigenous spirituality. The Medicine Wheel begs the utmost respect for the Creator as well as every other living creature in existence.

We are all connected in this great circle of life, and we are encouraged to share in each other’s life journey with the help of our Spirit Guides and ancestors’ guidance. Poppa invites us to participate in celebrating the joy of this day with him. Let’s all seek to find our own balance and reconciliation with love and acceptance that can be found within the realms of our own Mi’kmaw Medicine Wheel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 12.

This book is part of the Poppa Series.

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

Powwows are about dancing! Indigenous people in America come together at powwows to celebrate their culture and traditions with drumming, singing, and dancing. Together they remember their history and honor their ancestors. Dancers show off their best moves and fancy regalia in dances that tell stories or remember important moments in history. Lively photos and easy-to-read text help readers learn about contemporary powwow dances and traditions and their roots in the past. Readers will discover how Indigenous traditions honor the past and celebrate the present.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 7.00" x 9.00" | Paperback 

A joyous celebration of gender expression through an Indigenous lens, by New York Times bestselling author Tasha Spillett and Ojibwe elder Daniel Ramirez

Raven loves round dances. The drums sing to the people, and the people dance to their songs. Raven especially loves dancing with his grandma, sidestepping to the rhythm of the drums. His favourite part of all is watching the ribbon skirts swirl like rainbows.

"Nohkum, do you think a boy could wear a ribbon skirt?" Raven asks his grandmother one day. She tells him she has lived for a long time, but she has never seen it. That evening, she sews late into the night, and Raven awakes to a rainbow skirt of his own. "I've lived for a long time," his grandma says, "and I'm lucky to see beautiful things that I've never seen before." At the next dance, Raven wears the swirl of unique ribbons with pride.

With illustrations infused with joy and colour, this moving intergenerational story celebrates self-expression, honouring traditions, and finding room for reinvention.

Reviews
"Weaves Two-Spirit self-expression and collective belonging into a beautiful tribute to Indigenous heritage." — Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

"Cree author Spillett (I Sang You Down from the Stars) captures the joy of the round dance, and a feeling of belonging and connection offered in intergenerational Indigenous community." — Publishers Weekly - STARRED REVIEW

"[A] welcome story about an Indigenous child's gender expression." — The Horn Book

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

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

A sensitive middle grade novel in verse about a space-obsessed girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut — and begins to see the world differently when a substitute teacher enters her orbit.

Luna has always loved the night sky. She's an eleven-year-old who knows everything there is to know about space, and dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. The first step in her plan to get there is to ace the space unit in her science class and secure a spot in NASA's summer space camp.

But when Luna's teacher is unexpectedly replaced with a substitute, Ms. Manitowabi, who is looking to shake up science class by bringing in art, Luna's carefully laid plans are crushed. And that's not all that's shifting in Luna's life — changes at home and in her friendships have her feeling topsy-turvy. What on Planet Earth is happening?

Reasons to Look at the Night Sky is an endearing, poetic look at the inner world of a middle schooler grappling with change from acclaimed author and illustrator Danielle Daniel.

Reviews
"Luna’s love of space and fear of change may endear her to similarly minded kids. . . . A solid story about dealing with discomfort and change." —Kirkus Reviews

"This quick read has many STEAM applications and will easily appeal to aspiring astronauts while also potentially sparking interest in more-complex verse and narratives." —Booklist

"This book will resonate with readers who are navigating the trials of adolescence and the difficulty of embracing the unknown, as well as those interested in space and mythology." —School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Subjects / Themes: Astronauts & Space; Emotions & Feelings; Stories in Verse (Poetry)

Additional Information
328 pages | 5.75" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

You are more powerful than you imagine.

In this lyrical picture book, young readers are reminded of their cultural roots, the wisdom of their ancestors and their own potential. Each page offers an affirmation about identity, respect, love and truth, encouraging all children to embrace their unique gifts and power. From the resilience flowing through their veins to the knowledge written in the stars, Remember Who You Are inspires children to see themselves as integral parts of their community, capable of great leadership and great kindness.

Perfect for bedtime reading and classroom discussions, this book fosters a deep sense of belonging and pride by celebrating Indigenous heritage and reminding young readers who they truly are.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This book is available in a dual-language format: Remember Who You Are / kiskisi awîna kiya.

This book is available in French: N'oublie jamais qui tu es.

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