Browse Books for Kids

Lors d’une excursion organisée, Richard et ses camarades de classe de l’école de la nation Big Spirit tombent sur une vieille femme. Elle leur raconte alors l’histoire de son grand-père, John Ramsay, membre de la communauté de Sandy Bar, au lac Winnipeg, à qui le gouvernement a retiré les terres pour les offrir aux nouveaux colons venus d’Islande en 1875. Pourtant, nombre d’entre eux doivent leur vie à Ramsay, qui les a aidés à survivre au froid, à la faim et à une épidémie dévastatrice de variole.

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 par Mathieu Arès.

This resource is also available in English: The Land of Os: John Ramsay

Tyrese trouve ses cours d’histoire ennuyants. Du moins, c’était le cas avant que son ami Levi ne lui révèle un secret : un moyen de donner corps à l’histoire, par la personne de Gabriel Dumont, important chef métis de la rébellion du Nord-Ouest. L’espace d’un après-midi, les deux garçons revivent le passé en écoutant Dumont raconter ses journées de chasse au bison, son escarmouche avec les Pieds-Noirs, sa rencontre avec le grand Louis Riel et, enfin, sa participation à la célèbre bataille de Batoche, en Saskatchewan.

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 par Mathieu Arès

This resource is also available in English: The Rebel: Gabriel Dumont

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, Misaabe raconte des histoires formidables sur les trolls, les lunettes à rayons X, les agents secrets, et sur sa vie remplie d’aventures. La vie de tous les jours est-elle donc si ennuyeuse?

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

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"

Lillian is a girl of mixed Indigenous and white ancestry who has been shuffled from foster home to foster home as long as she can remember. At school, she doesn’t feel like she fits in with the white kids and doesn’t fit in with the Indigenous kids either. She finds happiness and a sense of belonging from a surprising spirit that returns her to traditional ways.

Reviews
“I love this book. I think everyone, not just children should read it. With gentle empathy and joyous hope, Lynda Partridge paints the heartbreaking realities lived by far too many young people, while simultaneously generating optimism. She describes what is possible when we provide opportunities for generations to heal and lead us forward. The possibilities are both tremendous and endless.” - Senator Kim Pate, Senate of Canada

“Lillian has much to teach children and adults alike on the experience of utter vulnerability, resistance, and the art of the wise-child survival.” — Pamela Johnson, PhD Psychology

“A wonderful story of courage, inner strength and resilience as told through the eyes and mind of a child. Through this story of early adversity rises a person of character and wisdom who now shares her extraordinary understanding of finding a place in this world for the benefit of others”. - Leo Massi, MSW, RSW. Executive Director, H-N REACH.

“This story is from the spirit and is a message for all of our First Nations relatives that it is now time to rise up and take this responsibility back to being natural helpers, and to nurture our children who are struggling.”— Robin Decontie, MSW, Algonquin Anishinabekwe Director, Kitigan Zibi Health and Social Services

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Spirit of Nature Series. It is also the first book in the Lillian Mystery series.

Foreword Poems by Chief R. Stacey Laforme.

Recommended ages: 7 to 12.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list as being useful for grades 6-8 for English Language Arts.

Additional Information
90 pages | 8.50" x 5.50" | 18 b&w illustrations

Learn about the plants and animals that live in the Arctic.

This book features some of the living things in the North, such as ravens and Arctic willow.

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 4 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 A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Environmental awareness; Life systems

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Begin and end the day with gratitude.

Award-winning author Richard Van Camp wanted to express his gratitude for all that surrounds him and his family. The strength of their connections, the nature that provides for them, the love that is endless. Complemented by photos from Indigenous women photographers who celebrate their own gratefulness on the collective blog Tea&Bannock, the simple verse in May We Have Enough to Share is the perfect way to start or end your little one's days in gratitude.

Educator Information
Ages 2 and under.

Themes: gratitude, sharing, community, mindfulness, babies, toddlers

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

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"

This picture book atlas of Canada is a whimsical, informative introduction to our country from sea to sea to sea. Each province and territory is featured on its own spread, with icons and labels indicating the capital city, other major cities, key lakes and rivers, iconic landmarks, animals, and plants, significant national and provincial parks, and more.

Each map is lively and colorful with plenty of details to discover. Simple labels make key places and landmarks easily searchable for further research. Inspired by the illustrator’s map of PEI, a longtime gift shop bestseller, My Canada includes basic information about Canada and a full map of the country. 

Reviews
"Sure to send adventure-bound readers digging to find out more about the features labelled in this atlas." — Quill & Quire

"One of the simplest yet most clear and complete picture book atlases I have ever seen...a wonderful resource for classroom and public libraries. Highly Recommended." — Canadian Review of Materials

"This informative trip across Canada celebrates its people, places, and landscapes--and invites further exploration. A fine addition to geography collections."— School Library Journal

"My Canada is a joyful depiction of our home and native land - a wonderful way to introduce geography and maps to youngsters."— Canadian Children’s Book News

"This book would be good as an introduction to maps and how they depict various areas." — Resource Links

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 4-8

Reading Levels: Pre-K to Grade 2

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies - Canadian Heritage and History; Geography - Canadian Geography, Maps.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.00" x 8.50"

What do you see in your community?

This book features different places in a community in Nunavut.

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 4 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 A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Community engagement

Recommended for ages 3-6.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

What do you do all day?

This book shows what a child does on a typical day.

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 5 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 A.

Curriculum Connections: Language and literacy; Identity; Roles and responsibilities

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information 
12 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

What makes you happy?

This book celebrates everyday life in Ghana, West Africa, and helps readers identify different things that make them happy.

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. The Nunavummi Reading Series is now offering books that explore a global perspective. This is one of those books, focusing on the daily life of people in Ghana, West Africa. 

This book is a level 7 book in the Nunavummi Reading 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: B.

Curriculum Connections: Language and Literacy; Diversity; Identity.

Recommended for ages 5-7.

Additional Information
24 pages | 9.00" x 6.00"

"I had always wanted a pet that flew...”

A boy is amazed when he sees a hawk swoop down and catch a lemming. From that moment on, he can't stop thinking about it. One day, the boy goes on an adventure and finds his very own baby hawk to keep as a pet. But he doesn’t know what hawk chicks eat or why his new pet won’t stop biting him. Can the boy learn to care for the hawk and teach it the skills it needs to survive on its own? Acclaimed singer and songwriter Etua Snowball recounts how he found his pet hawk and shares the lessons boy and bird taught each other during one unforgettable summer.

Educator & Series Information 
Recommended for ages 7 to 9.

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 13 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 N.

My Pet Hawk teaches children about the responsibilities of caring for a living thing.

Additional Information 
44 pages | 0.35" x 10.00" | Hardcover

Nakón-i'a wo! Beginning Nakoda is a language resource designed to help revitalize and document Nakoda, now spoken in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Written for beginning learners of Nakoda (also known as Assiniboine), this workbook, arranged thematically, provides a Nakoda/English lexicon, a vocabulary, a table of kinship terms, a glossary of linguistic terminology, and exercises to do after each lesson.

This book was made possible with the assistance of Elders and Language Keepers of the Nakoda Nation: Armand McArthur and Wilma Kennedy, Main Consultants; with additional contributions by Pete Bigstone, Leona Kroscamp, Freda O'Watch, and Ken Armstrong.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 7+

Part of the Indigenous Languages for Beginners series.

Additional Information
304 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Black and white illustrations throughout