Browse Books for Kids

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"

Hockey is a relatively new sport in Canada's North. It wasn't until 2003 that Jordin Kudluk "Thunder" Tootoo became the first Inuk to play in an NHL game. Although hockey is a rough sport to begin with, Jordin Tootoo is known for having to "fight his way through." Jordin has had more than his fair share of fights — both on and off the ice. He's had to overcome the social problems that are associated with the North, fight his way through the discrimination and culture shock he encountered after leaving Rankin Inlet and moving to Alberta to play in the Juniors, and see his way through the grief of losing his NHL-bound older brother and hero, Terence Tootoo, to suicide in 2002.

This new, updated biography explores the struggles and accomplishments of the most recognized role model for young Indigenous people today.

Eduactor & Series Information
Fry Reading Level - 4.6

This book is part of the Recordbooks Series. Recordbooks help reluctant readers understand social issues through the lens of a true story of a sports hero.

Series features:

• Ideal for reluctant readers
• Hi-lo
• Short chapters, easy-to-read format
• Great for ESL and adult students
• Writing with a flair for making history feel like novels
• Accompanied by historical photos and sports trivia
• Ideal for ages 12+

Additional Information
160 pages | 4.25" x 7.00"

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"

Kamik Joins the Pack - now in French!

Jake can't wait for his uncle to meet Kamik, and to see what an obedient puppy he is becoming. Jake's uncle is a great musher, who has won many dog sledding races, and if Kamik is good enough, Jake hopes today might be the day that Kamik finally gets to run with a dog team!

Following Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story and Kamik's First Sled, Kamik Joins the Pack continues the story of Jake and his puppy Kamik as they learn from their elders everything they need to know to someday be part of a winning sled dog team.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5-7.

Language: French

This book is part of the Kamik series. Books in this series share traditional dog-rearing practices and dog-training techniques from the remote community of Arviat, Nunavut, through the life memories of community members. These books preserve the rich history of working dogs in Nunavut and celebrate the traditional bond between Inuit and their sled dogs.

This resource is also available in English: Kamik Joins the Pack

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 8.50"

A once-in-a-lifetime photoshoot becomes a stunning non-fiction picture book!

Keep Up, Katmai is a remarkable up-close view into an inquisitive real grizzly cub's day, with stunning photographs shot by renowned wildlife photographer Barrett Hedges.

In this unique format, photographs give an up-close view into a very important event in a grizzly cub's life - when she learns to fish for salmon with her brothers and sister. Young readers will cheer for Katmai, the smallest of the cubs, as we follow her day. The incredible collection of photos shows how wild bears eat, learn and play, as their mother protects and feeds them. The result? A beautiful introduction to this incredible, endangered species, and a wonderful story celebrating the love between parents and their children.

Back of book material includes a fascinating interview with author Pili Palm-Leis and photographer Barrett Hedges. While anyone would look at these photos and know they are special, an experienced nature photographer would immediately recognize that they also represent a unique shoot. To see a grizzly mom in the wild with four live cubs is almost unheard of. Barrett's shoot captured behaviour that is very hard to get, especially in the same frame. Thanks to his eye and deep knowledge and respect for the wildlife he photographs, young readers will witness magnificent scenes in nature that most of us would never have a chance to experience.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages

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"

Retardée par un petit incident à la fin de sa journée d’école, Jessie décide de prendre, sur le chemin du retour, un raccourci qui l’entraîne malgré elle dans une aventure hors du commun : elle atterrit à Terre-Neuve… au 19e siècle! Ce voyage dans le temps et l’espace lui donnera l’occasion unique de rencontrer Shawnadithit, dernière survivante des Béothuks et témoin du déclin de ce peuple ayant autrefois connu la grandeur.

Educator & Series Information
NATION BIG SPIRIT : D’HIER À AUJOURD’HUI est une série unique de sept bandes dessinées qui plonge les lecteurs au cœur de l’histoire canadienne en s’intéressant à des figures autochtones marquantes, parfois méconnues.

Dès 9 ans

Traduit de l’anglais (Canada) par Sylvie Nicolas

This resource is also available in English: The Ballad of Nancy April: Shawnadithit

Pendant qu’un enfant vaque à ses occupations quotidiennes, toutes sortes de choses lui font penser à la lune, là-haut dans le ciel. La lune est comme un étang gelé la nuit dans le bois. La lune est comme le lait dans le seau après la traite des vaches.

Les merveilleuses illustrations de Josée Bisaillon expriment comment notre imagination façonne notre environnement. Ce livre cartonné démontre aux enfants que leur façon de voir le monde—par le cœur, l’esprit et l’imagination—est tout à fait valable. Grâce à ses métaphores savoureuses, La lune est un étang d’argent invite les lecteurs à faire le saut magique dans leur imagination et à voir les objets du quotidien sous un autre angle.

Educator Information
This is the hardcover French translation of the boardbook The Moon is a Silver Pond.

Recommended for ages 3-5.

Keywords: métaphore, figure de style, observation, point de vue d'un enfant, poésie

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8" x 8" | Hardcover

« Au bout du couloir, dans l’aile des petits garçons, Shin-chi était allongé dans son lit mais ne dormait pas. Il tenait précieusement sa petite pirogue dans la main. L’odeur parfumée du cèdre lui rappelait celle de son père. »Quand les Européens sont arrivés en Amérique, ils ont estimé que les Autochtones étaient des peuples non civilisés. Ils les ont chassés de leurs terres traditionnelles et les ont relégués dans des réserves. À la fin des années 1800, les gouvernements ont décidé de coloniser les enfants autochtones, de les forcer à s’adapter au mode de vie européen. Au Canada et aux États-Unis (mais également en Australie et en Nouvelle-Zélande), des lois furent adoptées obligeant les jeunes Autochtones à être éduqués dans des pensionnats autochtones.Dans ces établissements, les enfants apprenaient la culture, la religion et la langue des Européens. On leur donnait un nom européen. On leur enseignait le jardinage, l’agriculture et la menuiserie. On leur interdisait de parler à leurs parents ou à leurs frères et sœurs. Ils n’avaient pas non plus le droit de parler leur langue ni de pratiquer leurs coutumes. Certains enfants n’ont pu retourner chez eux qu’après de nombreuses années passées au pensionnat. D’autres n’y sont jamais retournés. Le Canada a compté environ 130 pensionnats indiens, et quelque 80 000 personnes vivant encore aujourd’hui y ont séjourné.

Educator Information
This book is available in English: Shin-chi's Canoe

La série Les Sept enseignements des Anishinaabeg (l’amour, la sagesse, l’humilité, le courage, le respect, l’honnêteté et la vérité) sont au coeur de ces sept histoires pour enfants. Se déroulant en milieu urbain et mettant en scène des enfants autochtones auxquels tous les jeunes lecteurs pourront s’identifier, ces histoires abordent les thèmes du foyer et de la famille.Dans ce récit, Makwa est inscrit dans une nouvelle école… mais il ne veut pas y aller. Comment fera-t-il face au premier jour de classe?

Educator & Series Information
This is the French version of The Seven Teachings Stories The First Day, which is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe—love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, and truth—are revealed in seven stories for children. Set in urban landscapes, Indigenous children tell familiar stories about home, school, and community.