Indigenous Peoples’ Day Reads: Picture Books to Share with Kids book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles may be found in my Amazon Storefront under Indigenous People’s Day Picture Books- https://amzn.to/4q9DDZo .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Little Shoes
by David A. Robertson (Author), Maya McKibbin (Illustrator)
Summary: James takes a walk with his kōkom, which he learns is called a march. Several other people joined as they stopped in front of a large pile of things for children, including teddy bears, little shoes, and flowers. His kōkom explains to him that it is a memorial about all of the children who did not return from residential school.
Comments: This is a gentle telling of residential schools and some of the history of this tragic time. It is age-appropriate with the questions and answers James asks his mother and kōkom.
The illustrations were created digitally and incorporate many blues and constellations that James wakes up to, full of questions about the world around him–present and past.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
For a Girl Becoming
by Joy Harjo (Author), Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrator)
Summary: A love letter upon the birth of a girl, continuing as she grows, reminding her to remember and honor her connections to family, nature, and ancestors.
Comments: This is based on the poem of the same name, which can be found in the back pages.
Many full two-page spread illustrations. The illustrations were created with acrylics on paper. Absolutely stunning.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Echo People
by SD Youngwolf (Author), Shonto Begay (Illustrator)
Summary: Two young cousins, Aiyanna and Little Wolf, go with their grandfather, a chief, to meet the Echo People who live in the river gorge.
Comments: What a great read aloud for children to learn the moral of how if we give love and kindness to the world, it will be returned to us, and in opposition, if we give meanness and hate, it will return to us.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land’s First Peoples
by Xelena González (Author, Narrator), Emily Kewageshig (Illustrator)
Summary: An illustrated poem written for indigenous children of the Americas, reminding them of their connection to the land and to be proud of their heritage.
Comments: The illustrations were created with digital methods, enhancing Anishinaabe-styled artwork.
The back pages feature a map and additional information, including details about the Land Back Movement.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Mother Earth: My Favourite Artist
by Carol Rose GoldenEagle (Author), Hawlii Pichette (Illustrator)
Summary: A young female artist finds and admires the beauty she sees in nature and tries to capture that in her own paintings.
Comments: This book helps readers to recognize the everyday art around us in Nature.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Our Ancestors’ Kitchen
by Willie Poll (Author), Shaikara David (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl learns from her grandmother how to make her grandpa’s favorite recipe. With each ingredient, we learn about its origin, from how it was planted, harvested, or caught, and appreciate the value of Nature and its connection to the family’s culture.
Comments: The book highlights the significance of food and its connection to culture. I appreciate how it discusses each ingredient, making it more relatable.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Brave
by Weshoyot Alvitre (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A young indigenous boy admires his father’s long hair and that of dancers at a powwow. Although he is teased at school, he wants to have long braids. His father tells him about the history of how his hair and that of other indigenous people was cut as he combs his son’s hair. He explains how they had to be brave and strong. The boy decides he wants to be like his ancestors and grow his hair long, too.
Comments: This would be a wonderful classroom read-aloud. It gently explores the significance of having one’s hair cut against one’s will.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Bud Finds Her Gift
by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Author), Naoko Stoop (Illustrator)
Summary: Bud sees others around her doing important things and wants to find something important to do herself. She goes to her grandmother, who takes her on a walk to a tree where she teaches her granddaughter to observe and appreciate Nature around them. “Everyone, from the day of their birth, has given a gift to share with the Earth.” Bud begins to realize what her gift is to give.
Comments: I appreciate the book’s message, which encourages young readers to discover the gift they were given to share.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities
by Patricia Morris Buckley (Author), E. B Lewis (Illustrator)
Summary: In this narrative nonfiction picture book, we learn about the history of how many indigenous steelworkers contributed to the construction of numerous skyscrapers and bridges across North America. We learn about the history of the first skywalkers, all the way to those who are still helping to build today, despite the danger.
Comments: The illustrations were created with watercolor.
The back pages include more details and a glossary.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
My Friend May
by Julie Flett (Author)
Summary: Margaux has a cat named May living with her. The cat does not return for dinner one day. Everyone looks for the cat but cannot find her. Margaux helps her auntie, Nitôsis, move to the city. Will they ever find May?
Comments: There are Cree words sprinkled throughout with a glossary and pronunciation key in the back.
The illustrations were created in pastels and pencils and composited digitally.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.
