Browse Books for Kids

After his snowmobile breaks down halfway across the sea ice on a trip back from a fishing camp, Serapio Ittusardjuat recounts the traditional skills and knowledge he leaned on to stay alive.

This harrowing first-person account of four nights spent on the open sea ice—with few supplies and no water—shows young readers the determination and strength necessary to survive in the harsh Arctic climate, even when the worst occurs.

Awards

• 2022 Forest of Reading—Silver Birch Express Award

Reviews
"[T]he graphic novel How I Survived is a true story of Arctic survival written by Serapio Ittusardjuat, an Inuk stone carver and former mechanic.... This beautifully designed, highly engaging graphic novel should engross both reluctant readers and those seeking adventure." - Quill & Quire

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+

The original hardcover version was included in the Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list as being useful for grades 6 to 9 for English Language Arts and Social Studies.

Additional Information
48 pages | 7.25" x 9.75"

The Great Spirit challenges all the birds to a contest, and the gift of birdsong is born! This traditional story, told in both English and Ojibwe, explains bird behavior and where humans should go to hear the prettiest of birdsongs.

When Mother Earth was very young and the Great Spirit had created all the beings, he noticed how quiet everything was. As he walked about the earth, listening to the sounds of the animals and the wind and the waters, some birds flying by caught his eye. He knew immediately what he needed to do.

The Great Spirit held a contest so that each bird could earn the song that was just right for its species. He called together all the birds, from the smallest sparrow to the largest hawk, and told them the plan. Each would fly as high in the sky as it could, and when it returned to Mother Earth it would receive its song.

Eagle was certain his strong wings would help him fly highest of all and earn the prettiest song. But he did not know that, while the Great Spirit was talking, the tiny hermit thrush had snuggled into eagle's feathers to take a nap.

All the birds flew and flew, higher and higher, each descending when it was time to return—and each receiving its own special song. But which bird flew the highest? Which one received the prettiest song?

This treasured story, handed down through author Travis Zimmerman's family, features traditional knowledge from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Grand Portage descendant Sam Zimmerman's vibrant illustrations showcase his stylized artistry and deep appreciation for feathered creatures. Marcus Ammesmaki's retelling in Ojibwemowin brings the story full circle, encouraging language learners to explore this age-old depiction of our natural world—and inviting all readers to cherish the gift of birdsong.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Dual-Language: English and Ojibwe.

Retold in Ojibwemowin by Marcus Ammesmaki / Aanikanootaagewin. Marcus is a K/1 teacher at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute in Hayward, Wisconsin.

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

You never walk alone.

Remember the hummingbird's teachings. Remember you are loved.

Kokum warned us to watch out for one another. If we weren't careful, Windigo would eat us. But one night, alone in the darkness, I felt its breath on my neck. Windigo's lies crept into my heart, and I believed them. When we lose connection with others, we lose ourselves, and Windigo's darkness grows and spreads.

In this deeply emotional and beautifully illustrated picture book, the ancestors send a hummingbird to a child lost in Windigo’s darkness. Its teachings of resilience, love and connection bring the child home and remind us that our ancestors are always watching and can help us find our way if we only ask.

This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Anishinaabemowin.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: U

Lexile measure: 520L

Guided Reading Level: U

Dual-Language: English and Anishinaabemowin

There are many dialects fo Anishinaabemowin, and this book presents a phonetic spelling of the language as learned by the author and co-translator in Duck Bay, northeastern Manitoba. This dialect is sometimes referred to as Western Ojibwa, Nakawemowin, Saulteaux or Plains Ojibwa. Translated by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason.

This beautifully illustrated story expresses hope, healing and reclamation of Indigenous strength and identity in the wake of oppression and trauma.

This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for Grades 1 to 3 for Art, English Language Arts, and Social Studies. 

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

"Who are you?", whispers the voice in the wind. "You are Métis." What does this strange word mean? A young girl watches her father to understand the unfamiliar label. Through a series of vignettes centred around her dad, the child interacts with her riverlot surroundings and delights in her Métis way of life.

Discover the joy and vibrancy of the Métis culture from a child's perspective. Feel the author's pride in her Métis identity, and her love for her father, as she relives childhood memories.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Caution: The word "Indian" is used in this work when the author recounts a memory from her childhood.

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

This informative and inspiring picture book by acclaimed author Kim Rogers (Wichita), with striking artwork by debut illustrator Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw), celebrates the achievements of Clarence Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation who became the first Native American major general.

Clarence Tinker always knew that he wanted to do something extraordinary. Something adventurous. Something that made a difference in the world.

But as a member of the Osage Nation at the turn of the twentieth century, there were a lot of obstacles that he had to face to achieve his dreams. When he was a child, Clarence was taken away from his family and community. He was forced to attend a prisonlike boarding school, like many other Native children of his generation. There, he wasn’t able to speak his language or practice his Osage customs.

Still, Clarence kept his dream close to his heart and joined the US Army with the goal of becoming an officer. Though he was treading an unfamiliar path, he worked hard and never forgot his Osage values and traditions that, ultimately, paved his way to success.

I Am Osage, the first nonfiction project from the Heartdrum imprint, combines gorgeous, vibrant artwork with a stirring text that celebrates an unsung hero while also shedding light on significant American history.

Features an author’s note and timeline.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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

"I am the Elwha, rushing down to the sea. I am the Elwha, wild and free."

The Elwha River flows 72km (45 miles) from its source in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest. Uniquely, it hosts all six salmon species (Pink, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Chum) as well as several species of trout.

In 1911, two dams were built on the river. The dams blocked the migration routes of the salmon and dramatically altered the entire river ecosystem for 100 years. In 2012, the dams were decommissioned and the world's largest dam removal and habitat restoration project began. In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated book, the author chronicles the history of the Elwha.

Narrated by the powerful voices of plants and animals that inhabit the river ecosystem, the dam builder, a worker, members of the Klallam Tribe, and the river itself, this story celebrates the ongoing rewilding of this special environment and offers a welcome to all the creatures who are coming home.

To learn more visit: www.elwha.org

Awards

• 2021 Riverby Award for Young Readers

Reviews
“I Am the Elwha is a powerful read about a powerful river and those who value and protect it." – Raina Delisle, Hakai Magazine 

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 3 to 7.

At the back of the book are three pages of cultural, scientific, and historical information that discuss the following:

• the importance and symbolism of salmon to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other Coastal Salish Tribes
• facts about the six species of salmon found in the Elwha River (Chinook, Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Coho, and Steelhead)
• the history of the Elwha River and its status today

Keywords / Subjects: The Elwha River, Rivers, Dams, History, Environmental Awareness, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Coast Salish, Native American, Culture, Washington, Animals, Salmon, First Salmon Ceremony, Plants, Nature, Settlers, Social Responsibility, Environmental Activism, Poetry.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771746311 | Second Edition | Paperback

Authenticity Note: This lyrical story, which chronicles the history of the Elwha River, is written by Lori Peelen. Robert Elofson, Tribal Elder and Harvest Manager in the Natural Resources Department for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes, approved Lori's work and contributed pages of back matter at the end of the work. Lori's story was further approved by Frances Charles, the Tribal Councilwoman for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, after the entire council read and approved it.

The Canadian Content label has been applied because the illustrator of this work is Canadian.

Cultivate connection and kindness in author Susan Verde’s and Peter H. Reynolds’s I Am We.

Connected is what we are:
part of a world-wide community,
diverse and magnificent, kind and accepting, supportive and present.
All of us important, none of us alone.

Sometimes we may wonder, how does caring for ourselves help anyone else? But then we realize that the better we feel inside, the more we can be there for others—our friends, families, and communities. We are part of something bigger than ourselves, and when we each turn our goodness and compassion outward, we can create, learn, and love.

Whether it’s listening to a friend, welcoming newcomers with open arms, or standing up against injustice, I Am We shows us what true community looks like—and the amazing things that can happen when we come together.

Inside you’ll also find exercises for building community.

Reviews
"Verde’s contemplative text sets a tone at once musing and affirming, while Reynolds’ cartoon illustrations visualize the concepts in practical ways, grounding readers in colorful and emotive images. A genuine call to action paired with sincere reflection." — Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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

For fans of The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison, I See Color is a picture book that affirms people of color—of all shades—by celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.

Highlighting people such as Madonna Thunder Hawk, Basemah Atweh, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., incredible leaders are honored, seen, and heard on every page.

Part ode to an array of beautiful skin tones and part introduction to change-makers in history, this book is a perfect conversation starter for readers everywhere.

Reviews
"The love and appreciation of color shines through this vibrant retrospective on activism, courage, and resistance." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"An eye-opening album to be read, cherished, used as a cornerstone for study, or shared across curricula." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"[T]his high-level work underscores “all that can be achieved together.” — Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Includes some Indigenous content.

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

A touching, playful exploration of empathy and interdependency from an acclaimed author and illustrator.

I’m afraid, Said the leaf. / You’re not alone, Said the tree. But who will comfort a nervous bird, a lonely crab, a lost wolf? How can a horse find warmth, a snail some cheer, a child some rest? Through a series of amusing and soothing exchanges, this deceptively simple and profound picture book depicts different pairings to celebrate interconnectedness and underlines the importance of caring for every living organism to ensure a strong and healthy natural world.

I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf invites young readers to understand that we all need each other for support and survival — and that we're all stronger together.

Reviews
"Every worry is addressed and every need is met in this eloquent portrait of the interconnectedness of the living world." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"[T]he art renders the tale truly universal." —Kirkus Reviews

"[A] good picture book about kindness and how all species are interconnected and depend on each other "to exist and thrive in harmony."" —Metroland

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
64 pages | 10.88" x 9.31" | Hardcover 

First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving, and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate radio to garage bands, Star Trek to D&D, and missed connections at the pow wow, Indigenous culture is so much more than how it’s usually portrayed. Indiginerds is here to celebrate those stories!

Featuring an all-Indigenous creative team, Indiginerds is an exhilarating anthology collecting 11 stories about Indigenous people balancing traditional ways of knowing with modern pop culture. Includes work by Alina Pete, PJ Underwood, Kameron White, Rhael McGregory, and many more.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Full Creator Listing: Tate Allen, Ida Aronson, Jordanna George, Raven John, Nipinet Landsem, Rhael McGregor, Sam “Mushki” Medlock, Alina Pete, Wren Rios, PJ Underwood, Kameron White

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.62" x 10.25" | Paperback

This beautifully crafted picture book celebrates one of the world's most awesome animals: the polar bear. Evocative but simple text by award-winning musician and artist Tanya Tagaq is accompanied by striking art in this classic counting book.

Beginning with 1 proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, this delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms: slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Tanya has created a story meant to be read aloud, incorporating simple Inuktitut words and using her keen ear for the musical sound of language.

This book is joyful, powerful, clever and striking — much like the bears who sniff, slide, swim, hunt, play and dance through its pages. And when you get to the last page, you won't be able to resist going back to repeat the journey!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Concepts: Counting & Numbers; Animals - Polar Bears.

This book is meant to be read aloud and incorporates simple Inuktitut words.

Additional Information
24 pages | 10.50" x 9.00"

Lucy loves living in Arctic Bay. There are so many things to do in each season! In the winter during "the great darkness," Lucy likes watching the northern lights. She is always excited to welcome the sun back in the spring. In the summer, Lucy can't wait to go blueberry picking, camping, and eat pissi. Follow along with Lucy as she takes readers through the seasons and shares all her favourite things about living in beautiful Arctic Bay.

Reviews
"This book is written in Inuktitut and English, sharing what it is like to live in Arctic Bay. The story explores the seasons (environment, activities) along with Inuit traditions such as hunting. The concept of seasonal traditions is shared through what the inhabitants of Arctic Bay see, what it means to them, and how they celebrate what they see (e.g., “the great darkness” during the winter months). An important part of Inuit culture is hunting and gathering. Students would benefit from learning about the importance of continued access to traditional food, especially given the high cost of processed modern food in remote communities. An inquiry exercise around the location of towns in Nunavut, population size, and community facilities (grocery stores, etc.) would help students understand the difference between rural communities and urban communities. Using online satellite maps would help students see the difference between their community and Arctic Bay." -  Alethea S., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut. 

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for Grades 1 to 4 for English Language Arts, Foods, Science, and Social Studies. On the listing in the database, a content warning is shared: "Mention of seal hunting and that the best part to eat is the brain."

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

A graphic novel for children ages 7 to 10. Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
42 Pages | 6.5o" x 8.10 | Library Binding 
 

This lyrical and joyful picture book celebrates new experiences and community traditions when a young boy learns to dance at his first powwow. It’s Powwow Time! is for readers of Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Jingle Dancer and Oge Mora’s Thank You, Omu!

Bineshii is looking forward to his first powwow. He wakes up and travels with his mother to the community event. He eats bannock and drinks strawberry juice as he watches the dancers perform. And ever so slowly, Bineshii works his way from the edge of the circle watching the dancers to inside the circle itself, dancing and celebrating with everyone else.

Award-winning journalist Martha Troian’s child-centered text and Hawlii Pichette’s action-packed illustrations build excitement on the page as Bineshii’s curiosity and confidence grows. It’s Powwow Time! explores the rewards of being open to new experiences while also serving as a beautiful and informative introduction to a First Nations powwow.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Keywords/Themes: Early Years (Body and the Senses); Powwows; Self-Esteem; Dance; New Experiences.

This book is a wonderful read-aloud.

Includes an author's note about powwows. 

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 9.00"

It is good to follow the rules. But there are just so many! In this fourth book in the beloved Jo Jo Makoons chapter book series, Jo Jo’s talents may not quite include following her substitute teacher’s rules…

Jo Jo and her classmates are excited that the Elders’ Tribal Center has changed the rules for the talent show to invite the whole tribe to perform. But the rules have also changed in Jo Jo’s classroom, where instead of their teacher, they have a substitute. Since Jo Jo has a knack for being helpful, she puts her mind to helping her classmates decide on their talents—but can she manage to follow the substitute teacher’s rules?

Even if no one else quite understands Jo Jo’s own rules (like that saying “please” makes words softer and fluffier to hear and that square foods are too pointy to be yummy), her undeniable talents for celebrating, curiosity, and class keep her happily hop-skipping in step with her Ojibwe community.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

This is the fourth book in the Jo Jo Makoons series.

The first book in this acclaimed chapter book series was an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book; a best book of the year from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, American Indians in Children's Literature, and the Chicago Public Library; a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book; and a Cooperative Children's Book Center CCBC Choices selection.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.12" x 7.62" | Paperback