Picture Books

Two sisters have waited all spring and summer to pick berries with their ningiuq, their grandmother. They've gone fishing, dug for clams, and by the time late summer arrives, it's finally time for berries!

Ninguiq and the girls head out to pick berries, rain or shine—nothing will stop Ningiuq! Through driving rain and early autumn snow the girls and Ningiuq pick as many sweet berries as their buckets can hold. The hard work is all worth it to enjoy the delicious treats Ninguiq creates with her berries.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

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

Johnny Eagle and The Seven Teachings is a story about Love. 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

In this lyrical picture book by Kim Rogers (Wichita), with illustrations by Boston Globe-Horn Book Honoree Julie Flett (Cree-Métis), Becca watches her grandma create, play, and dance—and she knows that she wants to be just like Grandma.

Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, “Let me try,” Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful.

Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma.

And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma.

Educator Information
Features an author’s note and glossary.

Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover

In Kohkum’s kitchen the family is large, the stove is warm, and the stew is oh so good. But just what makes this special stew so delicious? Is it Kohkum’s recipes and knowledge, or Mushum’s traditionally hunted moose meat? The grandchildren all think that they know the answer! But how will they decide who’s right? They’d better have another bowl or two before they come to any big decisions.

Kohkum's Kitchen is the first book in a series that celebrates Indigenous culture and the traditional knowledge that was almost lost. Perfect for any child who wants to learn more about how modern Indigenous peoples live, this book is a fun and easy way to learn how similar we all are in our hearts.

Educator Information
Juvenile Fiction.

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

Little People of the Dawn is a beautiful Passamaquoddy story about a girl, Lili, who comes upon the Little People while on a visit to Second Island. The Little People were once friends with the Passamquoddy, but as the people began forgetting their traditional ways, the Little People retreated to the caves, and the Passamaquoddy rarely encountered them. Lili sets out to meet them, and along the way must learn her tribal language and ways if she is to communicate with them. The story reminds us of the importance of knowing our ways and caring for the earth.

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

Métis writer and educator Nikki Soliman walks children through the importance of mental health and wellness in Magnificent Magnetic Me. This book examines the importance of embracing the tools needed to stay positive. It teaches about the power of thoughts and words and the energy we attract.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 5 to 8.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

When searching for berry bushes, Nala becomes lost, alone in the forest! Fortunately, Mama Sasquatch hears her cries and keeps her safe through the night. The following day, Nala learns how Mama and Baby Sasquatch live in the forest away from people, and why.

Both a charming and soothing story for young children, Mama Sasquatch provides mesmerizing painted illustrations from Ditidaht First Nation artist and author Eva Swift.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades K-3.

Mama Sasquatch was inspired by the author/illustrator's personal experience of seeing a Sasquatch.

This book is available in French: Mama Sasquatch (French).

Additional Information
48 pages | 7.00" x 10.00" | Paperback

A young Indigenous water protector named Minnow goes on an underwater journey; learning from our ocean-living relatives. When she returns to the surface, she gathers her community to help make a change. This story is told in lyrical rhyme and helps children gain a better respect for Indigenous water and land protectors, the environment, and world around them, and helps show children activism at an early age.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 10.

Find a teacher lesson plan here: Minnow: The Girl Who Became Part Fish Teacher Lesson Plan

This book is available in French: Minnow: la fille qui est devenue mi-poisson 

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.83" x 8.58" | Paperback

In this bilingual book, an Anishinaabe child explores the story of a precious mnoomin seed and the circle of life mnoomin sustains.

Written in Anishinaabemowin and English, the story opens at harvest time. A child holds a mnoomin seed and imagines all the life that made a single seed possible-Mayfly, Pike, Muskrat, Eagle and Moose, all had a part to play in bringing the seed into being. What will happen if the seed sprouts? Underwater leaves will shelter young fish, shoots will protect ducklings, stalks will feed larvae, in turn providing food for bats...until finally mnoomin will be ready to harvest again.

We follow the child and family through a harvest day as they make offerings of tobacco, then gently knock ripe seeds into their canoe. On shore, they prepare the seeds, cook up a feast, and gratefully plant some seeds they'd set aside.

This beautifully written and illustrated story reveals the cultural and ecological importance of mnoomin. As the author's note explains, many Anishinaabeg agree that "wild rice" is an inaccurate term for this plant relation, since part of the harvest is sown every year to help sustain human and non-human beings. Includes a translator's note.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Thi book is written in Anishinaabemowin and English.

Key Text Features:

• explanation
• illustrations
• informational note
• translations
• translator's note

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

Translated by Mary Ann Corbiere, who grew up in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island speaking Nishnaabemwin. She taught her language at the University of Sudbury for many years, obtained a doctorate and continues to work on instructional resources for adult learners. She now lives in Lively, Ontario.

This book is available in Anishinaabemowin and French: Précieux mnoomin

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.75" x 8.50" | Hardcover

A fun, rhyming read-aloud celebrating diversity, and a tool for teaching young readers the names of all the colours of the rainbow.

Blue's my favourite colour!
It really is the best.
I love my lucky socks.
Blue's better than the rest.
Although...

What's your favourite colour? When a teacher asks her students this question, one little girl just can't decide! Enter her vibrant imagination as she considers every colour and all the reasons that she loves the whole rainbow. Orange glows through autumn leaves, but pink is the colour of sunsets and cotton candy! And green shines all around the garden — how will she ever choose just one favourite colour? In her debut picture book, author Lindsay Ruck joins artist Bryanna Chapeskie to create a stunning poem that illustrates why being unique is always something to celebrate.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

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

From the award-winning and bestselling author of We Are Water Protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity

Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.

Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.

From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
48 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover 

Naaahsa says art is a language everyone understands. Sometimes we make art together. We draw, we bead, we sing. Sometimes Naaahsa tells stories in Blackfoot. I even get to go with her to see her art show at the National Gallery. Naaahsa is famous for her art, but I love her hugs best!

Naaahsa is an Artist! is a celebration of art, artists, and Indigenous women artists in particular. Each page comes to life with bold patterns, shapes, and Naaahsa's encouraging words that may inspire young readers to want to make art themselves.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Dual-language edition in English and Blackfoot: Kainai Nation

Blackfoot translation by Norma Jean Russell and Faye Heavy Shield.

This book is available in English: Naaahsa is an Artist!

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

Naaahsa says art is a language everyone understands. Sometimes we make art together. We draw, we bead, we sing. Sometimes Naaahsa tells stories in Blackfoot. I even get to go with her to see her art show at the National Gallery. Naaahsa is famous for her art, but I love her hugs best!

Naaahsa is an Artist! is a celebration of art, artists, and Indigenous women artists in particular. Each page comes to life with bold patterns, shapes, and Naaahsa's encouraging words that may inspire young readers to want to make art themselves.

Reviews
“What a marvelous and sparkling read. How blessed are we to have Naaahsa’s wisdom for how inspiration is everywhere and, if you welcome and embrace it, the magic of the world is yours to celebrate your way in any way you wish. Thank you, Hali Heavy Shield, for sharing Naaahsa’s warmth and love. Every page feels like a hug from home.” — Richard Van Camp, author of Little You and We Sang You Home

“This book is sure to be a hit. As seen through the eyes of a grandchild, Naaahsa is an Artist! conveys the healing power of art and the importance of taking up space in institutions that have not welcomed Indigenous Peoples in the past.” — Nancy Cooper, First Nations Consultant for the Southern Ontario Library Services and coordinator for First Nation

“I love the grandmother/granddaughter relationship here and I love how proud the little girl is of her grandma. It’s a book I can relate to as I had a close relationship with my grandmother.” — Jodie Callaghan, author of Ga’s/The Train

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is available in a dual-language format: Naaahsa Aisinaki! / Naaahsa is an Artist!

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

Set in the community of Listuguj, Gespe'gewa'gi, Nipugtug follows the journey of A'le's (Mi'gmaw for Alice), a young Mi'gmaw woman, snowshoeing through the forest. There, she meets animals, Wapus (Rabbit), Wowgwis (Fox), Tia'm (Moose), Ga'qaquj (Crow) and trees, Masgwi (Birch), Qasgusi (Cedar) who guide her through both challenging and nourishing emotions of learning her Mi'gmaw language. Grounded in her relationship with the territory, A'le's navigates memories of her language that cling to realities within and beyond her life.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 11.

Additional Information
21 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | 4 Illustrations | Paperback

Auntie always greets Cree in Nehiyaw when she comes for a visit. When Auntie arrives with a surprise gift hidden in her bag, Cree can’t wait to discover what it is. The first clue? It’s from the rez. As Cree tries to figure out what it might be, the bag starts to move!

Reviews
"Everyone has an auntie like the auntie in this book! She is eclectic and kooky and brings surprises that come with important teachings about responsibility and reciprocity.” — Nancy Cooper, First Nations Consultant for the Southern Ontario Library Services and coordinator for First Nation

“The Auntie in this story sounds so cool and I can just imagine how exciting it would be when she came to visit. This story is fun and sweet and has a great message about taking care of our pets and one another.” — Jodie Callaghan, author of Ga’s/The Train

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Dual-language edition in English and Plains Cree, Y Dialect. Translated by Dorothy Thunder.

24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover