Honoring Native American Heritage Month with Kids Books by Indigenous Authors and Illustrators
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November to recognize the history, culture and contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Island communities. In recent years, more books that positively and authentically represent these communities have been published, though many more are needed. By engaging in storytelling about Native communities, you can help students feel more seen and understood, and widen their worldviews.
Did you know that Madison, WI is located on Ho-Chunk land, and 11 Native Nations exist within the boundaries of Wisconsin? What land do you work, play and live on?
The Teejop Community Art Project promotes learning and awareness of the over 14,000 year human story of Teejop (Four Lakes) through public art projects in places important to Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) people. Projects explore the past and present relationship of Hoocąk people to Teejop.
They're hosting a closing celebration on November 6 at Edgewood University. You can find out more information about the Teejop Community Art Project by visiting their website, where they also share resources for incorporating Indigenous learning into classrooms year round.
Don't miss our blog post about Native storytelling by emi aguilar.
For a sneak peak at some of our favorite picture books by Indigenous creators, keep reading! If you'd like to purchase or donate these books, please visit our Bookshop page.
Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers (Author), Rebecca Lee Kunz (Illustrator), Levine Querido (Publisher)
Meet Sissy, who's had it up to here with her two-year-old brother Chooch. No matter what chaos he creates in their loving Cherokee family―and trust us, there's a lot―their parents just smile and say he's ""helping."" When Elisi paints a mural? Chooch ""helps."" When Edutsi makes grape dumplings? Chooch ""helps."" When Sissy tries to make her own clay pot? Well, you can guess what happens next.
But when Sissy finally loses her cool and yells ""Hesdi!"" (Quit it!), what unfolds is a tender moment that captures the messy, beautiful reality of sibling love. This Caldecott Medal winner perfectly nails that universal big sibling frustration―and the surprising grace that can follow.
An Indigenous Celebration of Nature: Autumn's Abundance by Kaitlin B. Curtice (Author), Eduardo Marticorena, Convergent Children's (Publisher)
In this joyous celebration of autumn, a young Indigenous boy learns how to receive love from Creator and Mother Earth—and how to share that love with others.
Bo, a proud Potawatomi boy, loves the coming of autumn—the turning of the leaves, the cooling weather, the last harvests from his garden. All around him he can see the love and abundance that Creator and Mother Earth give to all living creatures. But Bo knows that not everyone feels abundance in their lives. What can Bo and his friends do to share love and abundance with those around them?
We All Play by Julie Flett (Author/Illustrator), Greystone Kids (Publisher)
Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Beautiful illustrations show:
birds who chase and chirp!
bears who wiggle and wobble!
whales who swim and squirt!
owls who peek and peep!
and a diverse group of kids who love to do the same, shouting:
We play too! / kimêtawânaw mîna
At the end of the book, animals and children gently fall asleep after a fun day of playing outside, making this book a great bedtime story. A beautiful ode to the animals and humans we share our world with, We All Play belongs on every bookshelf.
On Powwow Day by Traci Sorrell (Author), Madelyn Goodnight (Illustrator), Charlesbridge (Publisher)
This eye-catching, interactive board book is sure to keep toddlers engaged. Count one through ten as you make your way through the day of the powwow, looking for colors, family members, jingle dresses, musical instruments, and tribal citizens in this introduction to a traditional Native event.
An award-winning children's picture book adapted to be ready for little listeners in a warm and vibrant board book edition.
Yaadila! Good Grief by Laurel Goodluck (Author), Jonathan Nelson (Illustrator), Heartdrum (Publisher)
Bahe and Dezba are helping their grandmother, Nali, move from her sheep camp home to their house. The family is packing up, carrying heavy boxes, and settling into a new life together, which isn’t always easy. At every frustration, they throw up their hands and exclaim, “Yaadila!” Good grief!
Bahe sees that this big change is hardest for Nali. But he has a secret plan. Whatever can he be doing with a bucket of water, all that yarn, and Dezba’s dollhouse?
In this heartwarming and quintessentially Navajo (Diné) story, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and illustrator Jonathan Nelson (Diné) together show a big change for an Elder made easier with a creative gesture of love and care.
Too Much: My Great Big Native Family by Laurel Goodluck (Author), Bridget George (Illustrator), Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
When Russell gets a part in the school play, he lights up like a shining star—and he can’t wait to tell his big, boisterous Native family the exciting news. But catching their attention when they all get together feels impossible; no matter where they go, they seem to be too noisy, too many, and just too much!
Russell decides to keep his big debut to himself and fly solo for once…but being alone may not be the answer. After all, there’s no such thing as too much love, and when he needs them most, his great big family knows how to be just enough.
Keepunumuk: Weeachumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten (Authors), Garry Meeches Sr. (Illustrator), Charlesbridge (Publisher)
Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this beautiful picture book honors both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving.
Discover the first Thanksgiving through Wampanoag eyes, as the Native Americans teach the Pilgrims to grow the three sisters—corn, beans, and squash—for a successful harvest.
Written by Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Perry (Chickasaw), Alexis Bunten (Unangan/Yup’ik) and beautifully illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. (Anishinaabe), this important fall favorite is crafted for 3-7 year olds and includes a glossary, a recipe, and back matter with additional resources and information.
Firefly Season by Cynthia Letitch Smith (Author), Kate Gardiner (Illustrator), Heartdrum (Publisher)
Piper feels grateful for visits with her relatives, especially for the time spent with her cousins in Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation during summer vacations, fishing on misty mornings and playing on firefly-filled evenings. Piper’s family lives a road trip away in Kansas City. So when a neighbor named Sumi moves in next door, Piper is excited to share her stories and seasons with a new friend.
The two are inseparable—until Piper’s family moves to another city. Their bond overcomes distance, and with time, Piper dreams up a plan to reunite with the people she loves most of all.
This Land: the History of the Land We're On by Ashley Fairbanks (Author), Bridget George (Illustrator), Crown Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Before my family lived in this house, a different family did, and before them, another family, and another before them. And before that, the family lived here, not in a house, but a wigwam. Who lived where you are before you got there?
This Land teaches readers that American land, from our backyards to our schools to Disney World, are the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations. This Land will spark curiosity and encourage readers to explore the history of the places they live and the people who have lived there throughout time and today.
Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Author), Naoko Stoop (Illustrator), Allida (Publisher)
When young Bud sees people bustling around, intent on their chores and their screens, she is certain they must be doing important things—and she wants to be included. But wise Nokomis, her grandmother, shows her that there is a different way to find belonging, one that relies on stillness and observing the natural world. As Bud discovers the freely given gifts of the Earth, she wonders if she has something important to give back: What is her gift?
Infused with warmth, humor, and insight, and beautifully illustrated by Naoko Stoop, the first picture book by renowned author and Indigenous ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer inspires readers to treasure nature’s generosity and the gifts each one of us can share with the Earth.
