Browse Books for Kids

Renowned author Nikki Grimes and debut picture book writer Stacy Wells (Choctaw) lend their resonant voices to award-winning artist E. B. Lewis’s (Lenni Lenape) rich watercolors in this story of a Black Choctaw boy who finds strength in the example and history of his ancestors.

When Dante struggles with nightmares, his mother believes learning his family’s history will help him cope. The roots on both sides of his family tree run deep, with stories of survival through events Dante’s mother calls “daymares.”

Taking discovering his heritage into his own hands, Dante finds out hard truths—but also a love that shines through generations and, finally, a strength to sleep through the night.

Features author and illustrator notes, historical references, a glossary, and a note from Heartdrum author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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

Using age-appropriate and empathetic language, Tess’s Red Dress introduces young children to Red Dress Day and the importance of remembering the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit People. Backmatter pages include resources to support parents and educators through this important and difficult conversation with their children.

Six-year-old Tess is excited to welcome her new baby sibling into the world! She asks her mom what it was like growing up with a sibling. Tess’s mom tells her stories about baking in the kitchen, singing loudly in the bathtub, sharing a bedroom, and braiding her sister’s hair.

Despite their excitement over their growing family, they have experienced loss: her Auntie is one of the missing. The loss of any family member makes a drastic change for those left behind and the generations to come. As the family gets ready for the Red Dress Day march, Tess's mom and dad show her how to honour her Auntie by wearing her red dress and keeping the stories and memories of her family alive.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11" x 8.5" | Hardcover 

The Mighty Muskrats' new case is a real showstopper!

School's out for the four Cree cousins, but this is no ordinary summer-a movie is being filmed in Windy Lake First Nation. With superheroes in their backyard, the cousins can't wait to show the actors and stunt doubles all that Windy Lake has to offer-as soon as they actually meet them, that is. On a film set, everyone has a job. Even the Muskrats, who are helping Mavis, owner of Windy Lake's well-loved House-taurant, with the film's catering.

As Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee take care of the cast and crew, a truck filled with specialty props and equipment disappears. Filming is halted-a disaster for everyone, including Mavis-and Windy Lake's reputation is suddenly at stake. It's up to the Mighty Muskrats to find the culprits and get the filmmaking back on track!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9-12.

This book is part of the fun and adventurous A Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series. This series puts an Indigenous spin on the classic Hardy Boys and Three Investigators books. 

Additional Information
152 pages | 5.25" x 7.5" | Paperback 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Lexile measure: 1050L

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

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

When the mighty oak whispers, you will hear
That our loved ones are still very near.

The Trees Talk is a lyrical poem that teaches children about the wisdom of the trees. When our loved ones pass on to the next world, author Jennifer Scott encourages us to sit with the trees. They carry messages from our ancestors for each of us, if we just take the time to listen.

Sweeping and lush paintings by Carla Joseph move readers through a journey to learn about the relationship between our ancestors and the nature around us.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11" x 8.5" | Hardcover 

Observe animals and celebrate wildlife in this seasonal twist and reimagined version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In Twelve Days of Spring, each day reveals the wonders of wildlife and nature's vibrant transformations as we ease into spring.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

This book is part of the Twelve Days Series.

A rabbit hops through the pages of Twelve Days of Spring.

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

Hello, sweet baby. Can you please hurry up and get here already?

So begins this sweet love letter to a baby-to-be. Accompanied by adorable photos, this book speaks directly to the baby, anticipating all the moments they will have together—from walking together under the same moon to kissing baby's tummy and toes, and from sharing hugs and snuggles to blooming and growing together as a family.

Reviews
“Bring[s] forth quiet, or warm, or jubilant emotions! We see a mother and child, their hands embracing the baby in the mother’s body. The anticipation in their faces is quiet and filled with love. I’m so pleased to see this book and happy to recommend you get it for your home, classroom, school, or public library.”- Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and under. 

Additional Information
20 pages | 6" x 6" | Board Book 

This fascinating book introduces readers to the life, work, and legacy of political leader Wilma Mankiller. The book also includes a "Topic Spotlight" special feature, several "Did You Know" facts, a table of contents, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 11.

This book is part of the Indigenous Biographies series. 

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

A joyful exploration of a child’s loving relationship with the land that supports and nurtures her as she grows

You Are the Land is a vivid ode to belonging within a family, within a community, and within the natural world.

From the day she’s born, a child feels the love and power that come with being part of something bigger. She’s a new spring leaf, alive and growing, as strong as the ancient cedars and as radiant as the glittering night sky. She is one with the amazing forces of nature that surround and nurture her, and that she nurtures in return.

Through inspiring words and sweeping illustrations, renowned artist Steph Littlebird’s stunning debut celebrates our connection to the land and shows how we perfectly mirror its beauty and resilience.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 10.50" | Hardcover 

A long time ago, Robin wore a white breast, Rattlesnake didn't rattle, Rabbit and Bear both sported luscious, long tails, and the naked-necked Turkey Buzzard meant to be fully clothed. Witness how these animals were transformed into the ones we recognize today with these traditional tales re-told.

Educator Information
Recommended for Grades 6 and under.

Additional Information
45 pages | 4.25" x 5.50" | Paperback


 

Grandmother, Why do we do the things we do?

How a young girl is raised by her grandmother on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. The book denotes various aspects of O'odham himdag (culture) and begins with waking up in the morning and then preparing for the day and engaging in several different responsibilities. Various daily chores and activities such as preparation of different food, basket weaving, pottery making, household chores and cultural undertakings are highlighted.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5 by the publisher, but this book contains a lot of text and may be more suitable for older children.

This book includes many O'odham words, but it is not a dual-language book. A glossary is included. O'odham is a Native American language spoken by several tribes in the American Southwest and Northern Sonoran Mexico. 

This book is part of the Tohono O'odham series.

Subjects / Themes: Daily Life, Home, Family, Community, Culture 

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

A middle-grade-friendly introduction to flora of the Great Lakes Region, with outdoor activities, games and quizzes that make learning about nature fun! Great for families and educators.

Get dirty digging up roots. Crouch down to look closely at a carnivorous sundew dissolving a dragonfly. Make an elderberry concoction. Test your plant ID skills with a winter twig quiz. Make a soothing plantain salve to treat an itch. Learn which berries you can eat and which to avoid.

Time spent outdoors encourages children’s self-confidence and independence, increases attention span and physical well-being, and fosters care for the environment. With the increasing intrusion of technology into daily life, and the challenges of climate chaos, it has never been more essential for parents and educators to encourage kids to engage with the natural environment. Plants are everywhere, even in urban areas where parks, empty lots and backyards offer the opportunity to learn from and connect to nature.

Drawing on their years of experience as outdoor educators, co-authors Philippa Joly and Danielle Gehl Hagel feature fifty richly illustrated plant profiles, including information on identification and ecology, cultural uses, and fun activities—all in a way that is accessible and interesting to readers of all ages.

Educator Information
Juvenile Nonfiction.

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

A lyrical informational picture book about how open-net pen fish farms impact wild salmon and their ecosystems

Salmon are central to their ecosystem and the lives of many Indigenous Nations, but the rapid rise of open net-pen fish farming has threatened these longstanding connections. Salmon have followed the same migration routes for thousands of years, but the fish farming industry has had a deadly impact on their annual journey. Open-net pen farms release harmful waste into the ocean that is lethal to the wild salmon forced to swim through it. Now, the salmon must battle against the human-made destruction of their habitat, and many Nations are advocating for change and creating calls of action to protect salmon for future generations.

As the young salmon journey from their gravel nests to the open ocean, readers learn about the life cycle of wild salmon, the effects of open-net pen fish farms, and the role of salmon as a keystone species.

Boldly illustrated with gorgeous Northwest Coast formline art, rhythmic poetry combines with supportive nonfiction content to illuminate the struggles faced by wild salmon populations.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: J 
Lexile measure: 980L

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

Discover the history of the endangered Ojibwe horse and the daring intervention of the Lac La Croix First Nation in this celebration of community, tradition, courage, and hope.

It’s a cold, snowy night at Lac La Croix First Nation, and two siblings are too excited to fall asleep. The horses are coming tonight! Amid the buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins, Nookomis tells a story that began many years ago, when their people shared the land with herds of wild ponies. In a symbiotic relationship, the people provided the horses with food and shelter, while the horses helped them run traplines and travel. But after many years had passed, and the herd had dwindled to four, the government threatened to shoot them. It was time to move the remaining horses to safety—but getting them there would be harder than they thought! Follow the true story of a “heist across the ice” from Ontario to Minnesota and learn how a small herd of hardy, indigenous horses returned years later to their native land. Rich illustrations honor the life of the Ojibwe people over time, as well as the land and living things that have survived under their stewardship.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.62" x 10.62" | Hardcover 

Voici la véritable histoire derrière une chanson qui fut autrefois le souvenir d?un hymne appris en pensionnat. Avec l?aide de sa famille et de sa communauté, notamment grâce à la détermination de son fils et aux paroles encourageantes de sa Grand-mère, le Gardien du Savoir Quuia Charleson (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) a repris possession de Love Your Creator et continue de partager la chanson et son histoire par la tradition orale à la fois lors d?événements et de ses voyages.

Les illustrations captivantes de Stefan Brunette représentent avec passion les personnes et les événements de ce livre illustré, destiné à tous les âges.

Educator Information
Recommended for Grades 7 and under.

This book is available in English: Love Your Creator: The Story of a Prayer Song.

Additional Information
10.00" x 8.00" | Paperback