English Language Arts

The dual language edition, in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and English, of the award-winning story of a determined Ojibwe Nokomis (Grandmother) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Nokomis walked to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men, and youth, have walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations.

Educator Information
This is the dual-language edition, in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and English, of The Water Walker. 

Recommended for ages 6-9.

This dual-language edition contains a note on the book's translation into Anishinaabemowin by Shirley Williams -- a fellow water walker -- and Isadore Toulouse, both of whom are from Josephine-ba's home community of Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation. The translations draw special meaning from the fact that both Shirley and Nokomis were sent to residential school, where they were forbidden from speaking their language. Nokomis was able to read the translation before her passing, and took great joy in the fact that this book would now be shared in Anishinaabemowin. 

This book is available in English: The Water Walker

This book is available in French in June 2021: Nokomis et la marche pour l'eau

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 7.00"

Let’s learn about opposites!

This book helps children learn about the concept of opposites while celebrating daily life in Ghana, West Africa.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic. The Nunavummi Reading Series is now offering books that explore a global perspective. This is one of those books, focusing on the daily life of people in Ghana, West Africa. 

This book is a level 6 book in the Nunavummi Reading Series.

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P level: D.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity.

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information
30 pages | 8.00" x 7.90"

When Tanna's father brings home an abandoned owl, she is not eager to take care of the needy, ugly little bird. Tanna must wake at 4:00 AM to catch food for the owl. She must feed it, clean up after it, all while avoiding its sharp, chomping beak and big, stomping talons.

After weeks of following her father's instructions on how to care for the owl, Tanna must leave home for school. Her owl has grown. It has lost its grey baby feathers and is beginning to sprout a beautiful adult snowy owl coat. As she says good-bye to the owl, she is relieved not to have to care for it anymore, but also is a bit sad.

This heartwarming story based on the author's own life experience teaches young readers the value of hard work, helping, and caring -- even when the thing you are caring for does not love you back.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for Grades K-2 in the areas of Language Arts and Social Studies.

Themes/Subjects: Connection to Land, Owls, Seasons, Animals, Responsibility, Caretaking.

This book is part of the Tanna's Animals series.

This book is available in French: Le Hibou de Tanna

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 10.00"

"Do not eat too much of the earth. Save some."

When you take something from the earth you must always give something back.

From the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets comes the tale of Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a feast dish of tempting, beautiful foods from around the world. But even surrounded by this delicious food, Th’owxiya herself craves only the taste of children. When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’atel stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’atel’s whole family, unless she can bring Th’owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’atel sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of a sqeweqs, two spa:th, and a sasq’ets, Kw’atel endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’owxiya and save her family.

Similar to “Hansel and Gretel” and the northwest First Nations story “The Wild Woman of the Woods,” Th’owxiya—which integrates masks, song, and dance—is a tale of understanding boundaries, being responsible for one’s actions, forgiving mistakes, and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Reviews
“What makes Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish truly unforgettable is in its engaging story steeped in tradition.” —Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents

"This play about Th’owxiya, the basket ogress, allows students to engage with storytelling from his own Kwantlen perspective. This story includes several animal characters, including Kw’at’el (a mouse character) who must bring her some hungry children or his family will be eaten. With themes centering on Kwantlen language, culture, and relationships to the land, this play can engage a wide range of learners. This book also includes a Kwantlen terminology guide, links to pronunciation and language resources, and a teacher's resource guide which gives specific information on Dandurand’s own Kwantlen perspectives on storytelling." -Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021

Educator Information
Recommended theatre/play for young audiences ages 5 to 15 (96 pages, in a play/novel format).

For Kwantlen people, Th'owxiya is a mythological being used to teach children to listen and not to venture off alone lest she take them and eat them. Joseph began writing this play over twenty-five years ago, when he was an intern in a pilot program to study museology at the Canadian Museum of History.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for Grades K to 6 in the areas of Drama, English Language Arts, and Music.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.12" x 7.62"

The Mighty Muskrats won’t let a mystery go unsolved!

Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee are four inseparable cousins growing up on the Windy Lake First Nation. Nicknamed the Mighty Muskrats for their habit of laughing, fighting, and exploring together, the cousins find that each new adventure adds to their reputation. When a visiting archeologist goes missing, the cousins decide to solve the mystery of his disappearance. In the midst of community conflict, family concerns, and environmental protests, the four get busy following every lead. From their base of operations in a fort made out of an old school bus, the Mighty Muskrats won’t let anything stop them from solving their case!

Awards

- The Case of Windy Lake was the co-winner in Second Story Press’ 2018 Indigenous Writing Contest!

Reviews
"Chickadee's rez-tech savvy pairs well with her cousin Otter's bushcraft skills, and, along with Atim's brawn and brother Samuel's leadership, the four make a fine team. From Cree author Hutchinson, an Indigenous version of the Hardy Boys full of rez humor." — Kirkus, December 2018

"The Case of Windy Lake is a smart and thought-provoking mystery for middle-grade readers." — Foreword Reviews

Educator & Series Information
This fun and adventurous series, A Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series, puts an Indigenous spin on the classic Hardy Boys and Three Investigators books. 

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Subjects & Themes: Environment (Protection, Protest); Civil Rights; Indigenous (Rights to Land, Rights to Natural Resources, Knowledge, Protection of Cultural Ceremonies).

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list as being useful for grades 6-9 in the following subject areas: English Language Arts and Social Studies.

This book is available in French: Le Disparu de Lac-aux-Vents: Une enquête des rats musclés

Additional Information
134 pages | 5.25" x 7.50"

An engaging look at how the animals, people, and seasons within an ecosystem are intertwined.

To the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia, the grizzly is an integral part of the natural landscape. Together, they share the land and forests that the Skeena River runs through, as well as the sockeye salmon within it. Follow mother bear as she teaches her cubs what they need in order to survive on their own.

The Mothers of Xsan series uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life.

Awards

• Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award
• 2020 Manuela Dias Design and Illustration Awards, Children's Illustration winner 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 - 12.

This is the second book in the Mother of Xsan series, which uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life. 

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.50" x 10.00"

A young child skates, bakes, and milks the cow while the moon wondrously transforms above. When they walk through the woods with their skates, the moon is a frozen pond. When they tend the cow, the moon is the milk at the bottom of the pail.

Stunning illustrations by Josée Bisaillon capture how imagination shapes the environment around us. This simple board book shows children that the way they see the world—by heart, mind and imagination—is just right. Reveling in metaphor, The Moon Is a Silver Pond encourages that magical leap of imagination and asks the reader to look at everyday objects from a different perspective.

Educator Information
Themes: metaphor, figurative language, observation, point of view, child's perspective

This book is available in French as a hardcover book: La lune est un etang d'argent

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

The Voyageurs: Forefathers of the Métis Nation tells an old story—integral to both the birth of the Métis Nation and to the development of Canada—in a new and engaging format. Zoey Roy has eloquently transformed the history of the voyageurs into a spoken-word performance poem which she has shared live at numerous events over the last several years. In this innovative resource, Zoey masterfully informs the reader and listener of the voyageurs’ history, background, and lifeways in a format popular with today’s youth. To fully appreciate Zoey’s masterful delivery, a DVD to accompany this book was essential. Combined with Jerry Thistle’s evocative illustrations and Norman Fleury’s Michif narration, this resource becomes a teaching tool, a work of art, and the impetus for further research all in one.

Educator Information
Grade Level: The publisher of this book recommends it for all ages.

Dual-language: English and Michif.

Includes a DVD.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list as being useful for grades 5-10 with regard to these subjects: English Language Arts, Art, Social Studies.

Additional Information
45 pages | 10.98" x 8.42"

What do you see in your classroom?

This book features common items found in a classroom, such as a chair and a desk. Illustrations guide children to practise reading the single word on each page.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 3 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is LB.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Everyone gets sad, angry, frustrated and disappointed. Difficult emotions are a natural part of life. In this book, Trudy's Healing Stone, Trudy Spiller shares a special teaching about a practice that anyone can use to help them process their feelings with the help of Mother Earth.

Educator Information
This book is an adaptation of Trudy’s Rock Story for a younger audience (ages 4-6).

A few Gitxsan words and how to say them are included at the end of the book.

This book is also available in French: Le caillou de guérison de Trudy.

Recommended for ages 4-6

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for Grades Pre-K to 1 for English Language Arts.

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.00" x 8.00"

Tuktu is lost! He wandered away from his herd and can’t find his way back. What will he do?

Follow along as Tuktu searches the tundra and meets new friends who all have something to teach him. Will his new friends be able to help him find his herd?

Educator & Series Information
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.

This book tells a story about fun animal characters and is meant to be read out loud to young children. Reading out loud to children at an early age can help them develop early language and literacy skills.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover

What’s the weather like in Nunavut?

This book features simple nouns related to the weather. Beautiful photographs of Nunavut guide children to practise reading the single word on each page.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 3 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is LB.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Environmental awareness

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

What do you do at school?

This book uses simple action words to describe what a child does at school.

Educator & Series Information 
This book is part of the Nunavummi Reading Series, a Nunavut-developed series that supports literacy learning while teaching readers about the people, traditions, and environment of the Canadian Arctic.  It is a Level 4 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. This book's F&P Level is A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Identity; Roles and responsibilities

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 8.00" x 6.00"

"There is no death. Only a change of worlds.”  —Chief Seattle [Seatlh], Suquamish Chief

What do people do when their civilization is invaded? Indigenous people have been faced with disease, war, broken promises, and forced assimilation. Despite crushing losses and insurmountable challenges, they formed new nations from the remnants of old ones, they adopted new ideas and built on them, they fought back, and they kept their cultures alive.

When the only possible “victory” was survival, they survived.

In this brilliant follow up to Turtle Island, esteemed academic Eldon Yellowhorn and award-winning author Kathy Lowinger team up again, this time to tell the stories of what Indigenous people did when invaders arrived on their homelands. What the Eagle Sees shares accounts of the people, places, and events that have mattered in Indigenous history from a vastly under-represented perspective—an Indigenous viewpoint.

Reviews
“A standout overview . . . Visually engaging . . . a fine introduction . . . Sections in each chapter labeled “Imagine” are especially powerful in helping young readers empathize with Indigenous loss. Essential.”  — Kirkus Reviews, *starred review

“A worthy and important addition to the historical record.”  — Booklist, *starred review

“A brilliant introduction . . . An important read for everyone eleven years and older. It should be mandatory reading for all educators.”  — Library Matters

The combination of modern and historical insight is extremely effective. A valuable resource for anyone seeking to learn more about Indigenous history and a vital purchase for all collections.”— School Library Journal, *starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 11+.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for grades 6 to 12 in these areas: Applied Design, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Social Justice.

Additional Information
120 pages | 7.50" x 9.25" | Paperback