Picture Books

If Instead of a Person imaginatively explores the wisdom to be learned from living as a tree. Using child-friendly rhyming verse, Coast Salish author Courtney Defriend ponders a tree's steadfast connection and vital contribution to life on earth. Reinforced by Terra Mar's powerful illustrations, If Instead of a Person invites readers to become change agents that respect the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. 

Educator Information
Partial proceeds go to Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre.

Recommended for ages 4 to 10.

Juvenile Fiction, Indigenous Resource, Poetry, Environmental.

Additional Information
8.25" x 8.25" 

Nadia Sammurtok lovingly invites the reader into the amautik—the pouch in the back of a mother’s parka used to carry a child—to experience everything through the eyes of the baby nestled inside, from the cloudlike softness of the pouch to the glistening sound of Anaana’s laughter.

Sweet and soothing, this book offers a unique perspective that will charm readers of all ages.

Reviews
"Each spread appeals to a different sense, creating a deliciously cozy and nurturing microenvironment for this lucky tot. Inuit author and educator Sammurtok brings her work preserving Inuktitut to the text, with a spare sprinkling of vocabulary (defined in a closing glossary). The repetition of “In my anaana’s amautik” at the beginning of each short paragraph is both lulling and reinforcing of the relationship between child and mother. Canadian illustrator Lishchenko’s use of textures and subtle colors blends well with the strong, simple text. Delicate pastels give the Arctic landscape a welcoming beauty, and fanciful depictions of the similes the narrator suggests lend a playful air. The far north has never felt so deliciously warm." — Kirkus, STARRED review

"This gentle story is warm, cozy, and loving—just like being in anaana’s amautik. Readers will carry this gorgeous book close to their hearts." — School Library Journal, STARRED review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

In the sky at nighttime the northern lights dance, a mothers song sways on the breeze, and a raven roosts atop a tall building, bathed in the white of the moon. 

This lyrical poem sends readers sailing through the Arctic night sky to see and hear the unique beauty of a Northern night. 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

Do you like to play inside or outside?

In this book, two children in Nunavut play inside and outside in different weather conditions.

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 6 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 B.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Environmental awareness

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Discover this gigantic Northern tale.

This book introduces children to a traditional Inuit legend. Learn how the great giant Inukpak adopted a human hunter as his son.

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 11 book in the series. 

Nunavummi Reading Series books have also been officially levelled using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient™ Levelling System. F&P Level of this book: M.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity; Indigenous Perspectives; History and Heritage.

Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.10" x 9.20"

What do your family members do?

This book describes the jobs of different members of a child’s family.

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 6 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 B.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Diversity; Indigenous perspectives; Roles and responsibilities; Community engagement

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

An encounter with a pheasant (which may or may not be sleeping) takes a surprising turn in this sweetly serious and funny story of a Native American boy and his grandma

"Pull over, Grandma! Hurry!” Johnny says. Grandma does, and Johnny runs to show her what he spotted near the ditch: a sleeping pheasant. What Grandma sees is a small feathery hump. When Johnny wants to take it home, Grandma tries to tell him that the pheasant might have been hit by a car. But maybe she could use the feathers for her craftwork? So home with Grandma and Johnny the pheasant goes . . .

It’s hard to say who is most surprised by what happens next—Grandma, Johnny, or the pheasant. But no one will be more delighted than the reader at this lesson about patience and kindness and respect for nature, imparted by Grandma’s gentle humor, Johnny’s happy hooting, and all the quiet wisdom found in Cheryl Minnema’s stories of Native life and Julie Flett’s remarkably evocative and beautiful illustrations.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.50" x 8.50"

A donut with a little more jelly.

Rhino Coffee House in Tofino, British Columbia is famous for its coffee and its donuts; one of which is named the Josie Jelly. The Josie Jelly donut is part of several donuts named after inspiring locals in the area that make up Rhino Coffee’s Donut Hall of Fame. Josie Jelly: The Donut That Ran For Mayor is a book about an unlikely candidate who is encouraged to run for mayor. In a world of donuts, Josie Jelly, just might be what the people need. A fun take on the political platforms of today and encouraging to those who may be curious about a career in politics.

This is a fun book for kids to introduce politics or for anyone who may need sweetening up their ideas about politics.

Educator & Series Information
A book inspired by the mayor of Tofino, Josie Osborne, who is both an environmental activist but also a community superstar on Vancouver Island. She is an inspiration to many local people and has earned their love.

A Vancouver Island collaboration with Rhino Coffee House and Bread+Clutter independent publishing house.

Additional Information
33 Pages | 8" x 8"

Jumping Mouse is just like another other mouse, except she has a dream—a dream to reach the fabled High Places. But one small mouse can’t make the long journey alone. At the start of her journey, Jumping Mouse is gifted new long legs from wise Grandfather Frog. Filled with gratitude, she soon meets others who need assistance just like she did: a buffalo that cannot see and a wolf that cannot smell. In order to aid them, she must sacrifice her own sight and hearing, putting her dream of the High Places at risk. Through perseverance and belief, Jumping Mouse discovers who she was truly meant to be, and demonstrates the value of friendship, selflessness, and sacrifice.

Characters come to life through striking photographs of ash-fired ceramic sculptures, giving a fresh twist to this retelling of a timeless tale from the oral tradition.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.62" x 9.45"

On a hot summer day, a young Anishinabe boy visits the shores of Gitchee Gumee with his mother. Nanaboozhoo, their teacher, is before them, presenting himself as a mass of land that stretches across the horizon. As they visit, Keeshig tells his mother about what he calls "the Ojibwe pterodactyls" that live with Nanaboozhoo. He talks about their hunting and what they like to eat. At the end of the story, Keeshig surprises his mom by sharing that the Ojibwe pterodactyls are indeed the thunderbirds and that they are the heartbeat of Nanaboozhoo. Keeshig's mom is so happy and grateful to hear his story and gives him a big hug, letting him know that he is her heart.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 3 - 7

Keeshig's story, transcribed by his mother, is accompanied by stunningly beautiful colour illustrations by his father, Robert Spade, and his brother, Kiniw Spade. This remarkably beautiful children's picture book is a true family effort!  Could be used to encourage children to write, illustrate, and share/tell their own stories!

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for grades K-1 in the area of English Language Arts.

Additional Information
22 pages 

The dual-language edition, in Plains Cree and English, of Stolen Words, the award-winning story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in Cree, he tells her that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again.

This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.

Educator Information
This dual-language edition is in Plains Cree and English. The translation was carried out by two Plains Cree language speakers, Dolores Sand from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Gayle Weenie from Sweetgrass First Nation. Language consultation and assistance was provided by the Cree Literacy Network.

Recommended for ages 6-9; Grades 1-3.

Guided Reading: Q
Lexile: 530L

Subjects: Character Education (Empathy, Family & Friendship); History & Social Studies (Canadian History, First Nations & Indigenous Peoples); Reflecting Diversity.

This resource is also available in French: Les mots voles

This resource is also available in English only as Stolen Words.

Additional Information
28 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

Kiviuq, one of the greatest and most important characters in Inuit mytholgy, is said to have travelled over land and sea, overcoming obstacles and successfully defeating formidable foes. In Kiviuq and the Bee Woman, Kiviuq faces one of his most frightening opponents yet: Iguttarjuaq, a bee in human form. Known as the Bee Woman, she is a fearsome figure who is said to cook and eat humans. Trapped in her tent, Kiviuq uses all his powers to get to his qajaq and escape the Bee Woman!

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 9-12

Additional Information 
40 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Co-written by Eric Walters and Godfrey Nkongolo, Light a Candle weaves non-fiction with fiction to tell the story of a boy coming of age in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and his father, the chief of their tribe. The boy climbs the mountain against his father’s wishes to fulfill a request of the country’s first leader, Julius Nyerere, to light a candle on the top of the mountain and unify the mainland of Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar as one country, the United Republic of Tanzania.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 6 - 8

This is a dual-language book in English and Swahili.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75"

During much of the nineteenth century, bison hunting was integral to the Métis’ social, economic, and political life. As “people of the buffalo,” the Métis were bison hunters par excellence. In Métis Camp Circle: A Bison Way of Life, author and artist Leah Marie Dorion transports young readers back in time when bison were the basis of Métis lifeways on the Plains. Vibrantly illustrated and infused with important cultural teachings, this charming book skillfully informs us about this important period of Métis history.

Educator Information
Grade Level: Primary (recommended by Gabriel Dumont Institute).

Dual-language: English and Michif.  Includes a CD with English and Michif narration.

Includes back matter on Bison as a Food Source; Organizing the Bison Hunt; Bison Artefacts; Pemmican; Patrice Fleury Remembrance (on the bison hunt); and more information about the author/illustrator and translator.

Additional Information
43 pages 

Featured on Anaana's Tent on APTN!

What do Mia and her monster friends wear to stay warm? Watch as Mia and the monsters get ready to play outside in the snow.

Educator & Series Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

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. 

Additional Information
16 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"