Board Books and More: American Indian / Alaska Native Heritage

Mother olding baby

These books for babies and toddlers feature Indigenous children and include board books, photo books, folk tales, and bilingual stories.

 

At Our Table

Diverse group of people at a table
Illustrated by: Madelyn Goodnight
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9

There are countless ways we celebrate and give to others on Thanksgiving. The goodness we share lasts the rest of the year—and sometimes for a lifetime. From joyful preparation of food, to quiet reflection honoring farmers and Native communities, to cherished moments of laughter with friends or family…there is always room for making more memories together.

Baby Learns About Seasons

Baby under a tree near lambs
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Diné (Navajo)

"These seven beautifully illustrated bilingual board books for the very youngest picture-readers show Baby learning — by watching and helping — the things Diné babies learn. In Baby Learns About Seasons, Baby watches the changing seasons and learns about bottle-feeding the lambs and preparing the field for planting in the spring, gathering corn pollen and picking peaches in the summer, catching falling leaves and harvesting piñon nuts in the fall, and chopping wood and listening to stories in the winter." — Oyate

Black Bear, Red Fox: Colours in Cree

Illustration of a black bear and a red fox on grass
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Cree

Julie Flett is a Vancouver-base Cree/Metis author, visual artist, and illustrator. Julie creates stories for children that subtly explore the connections among language, culture, and nature. This book celebrates colors found in the natural world in an innovative design for young children.

Boozhoo! Hello!

Illustration of a box
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6
Language: Ojibwe

Hello! Who do you see and hear in the woods today? Meet a variety of woodland and water animals in this story written in Anishinaabemowin (also called Ojibwe) and English. Can you see a fox digging, spot two minnows dancing or hear a swarm of bees buzzing? Boozhoo! / Hello! introduces children to familiar animals as they go about their daily activities: walking, running, swimming, climbing and finally ― when the day is done ― sleeping!

Celebrate My Hopi Toys

My Hopi Toys
Illustrated by: Emmett Navakuku
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Hopi

"We know how to count. One lighting stick. Two dancing sticks" Celebrate my Hopi Toys written in Hopi and English by Hopi language teacher Anita Poleahla introduces counting skills to children with patterned text and colorful illustrations of Hopi toys by Hopi artist Emmett Navakuku.

Cradle Me

Baby in a cradle
Age Level: 0-3

Product Description: The rich Native American tradition of carrying babies safely, comfortably and close to their mothers in cradle boards endures to this day. Cradle Me celebrates families from different tribal nations and shows how they carry their babies and, with a fill-in-the-line feature, enables readers to translate the words to write their own language.

Hoop Dance Heroes! (Spirit Rangers)

Young hoop dancers
Age Level: 3-6

Kodi, Summer, and Eddy are putting on a Hoop Dancing Show at Xus Park! But first, the kids head to the Spirit Park to learn how to hoop dance from the spirits and discover that you can never skip the basics and that practice makes perfect!

I Help / Niwechihaw

I Help / Niwechihaw
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Cree

Product Description: Written and illustrated by members of the Tahltan and Cree nations, this sweet, simple story looks at a very special relationship. A young boy goes for a walk with his kohkom, or grandmother, listening, picking, praying, eating, just as she does. In doing so, he begins to learn the rich cultural traditions and values of his Cree heritage. Bilingual English/Cree.

I See Me

Photo of a young baby
Age Level: 0-3

Product Description: I See Me provides a tender snapshot of what an infant's day — or hour — might look like. Each adorable image includes an English caption with space below for parents to translate the word into their own language. Published by the First Nations publisher Theytus Books.

Learning My Rights with Mousewoman

Learning My Rights with Mousewoman
Age Level: 3-6

The tiny but mighty Mousewoman is a legendary figure in the oral and visual practices of Northwest Coast Indigenous cultures. She is both grandmother and oracle, able to travel in and out of the spirit world. Mousewoman sits on young people’s shoulders in crucial times, whispering advice and knowledge. She protects and guides young people by helping them avoid or escape bad situations, and is never afraid to stand up to bigger beings.

Little You

Child sitting under the sun
Illustrated by: Julie Flett
Age Level: 0-3
Language: French, Spanish

Richard Van Camp, internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author of the hugely successful Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns, has partnered with talented illustrator Julie Flett to create a tender board book for babies and toddlers that honors the child in everyone. With its delightful contemporary illustrations, Little You is perfect to be shared, read or sung to all the little people in your life — and the new little ones on the way!

Loving Me

Mother holding a baby
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Diné (Navajo)

Whether it is a gentle kiss from mom, a hug from dad, a playful romp with an older brother, or reading with grandpa, babies and toddlers will discover the importance of family relationships in these photographs of Indigenous families. Loving Me features multi-generational family members loving and caring for a child, as they caress and tenderly show their babies and young children how much they are loved.

May We Have Enough to Share

Photo of woman holding a baby.
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6

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 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.

My Arctic 1, 2, 3

Illustration of a polar bear under water
Illustrated by: Vladyana Krykorka
Age Level: 3-6

From one polar bear walking along the edge of a huge ice floe to millions of berries ready for picking, My Arctic 1, 2, 3 takes young readers on a counting tour in the Far North. With the rich Arctic environment as a background, this classic not only provides small children with opportunities to practice their counting skills, it introduces them to the extraordinary animals that make the Far North their home.

My Heart Fills with Happiness

Girl spinning with her arms up to the sky
Illustrated by: Julie Flett
Age Level: 0-3

The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.

Niimiwin: Everyone Dance

Young child dressed for powwow
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6

Join the children of Fond du Lac Head Start as they celebrate the Ojibwe culture through the ancient tradition of the Powwow. This book gives the reader a look at the Powwow from preparation through to the Grand Entry, the dancing, the feast and an invitation to Native and non-Native alike to "see you at the next year's Powwow." — Birchbark Books

Rock Your Mocs

A group of people wearing mocassins
Illustrated by: Madelyn Goodnight
Age Level: 6-9

In this happy, vibrant tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed yearly on November 15, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and artist Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) celebrate the joy and power of wearing moccasins — and the Native pride that comes with them.

Sweetest Kulu

Young baby surrounded by animals
Illustrated by: Alexandria Neonakis
Age Level: 0-3

Product Description: This bedtime poem, written by internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer Celina Kalluk, describes the gifts bestowed upon a newborn baby by all the animals of the Arctic. Lyrically and lovingly written, this visually stunning book is infused with the Inuit values of love and respect for the land and its animal inhabitants.

The Buffalo and the Boat / Thathanka na Wata

Buffalo by the river
Illustrated by: Frantisek Valer
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Lakota

This picture book published by the Lakota Language Consortium is designed for early elementary and preschool children. It tells the entertaining story of a buffalo in his bull boat traveling down the river and meeting friends. Each different animal joins buffalo and they continue down the river until the surprise ending. Bilingual Lakota/English.

The Good Luck Cat

Illustration of a cat
By: Joy Harjo
Illustrated by: Paul Lee
Age Level: 3-6

A child narrates how a much loved cat, Woogie, brings good luck to her family. When Woogie is lost, its luck may have run out — but the resolution is luckily both satisfying and happy. Richly hued illustrations add authentic details to a universally appealing told by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke/Muscogee), 23rd United States Poet Laureate.

We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers

Illustration of young owls
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6
Language: Cree

Product Description: We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers provides insight into contemporary Cree life. It teaches Cree numbers and provides pronunciation. This board book is wonderfully illustrated by Canadian based Cree/Metis artist Julie Flett and makes Cree culture accessible to young readers.

We Sang You Home

Young child smiling
Illustrated by: Julie Flett
Age Level: 0-3

In this sweet and lyrical board book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhythmic text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones. Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning board book for babies and toddlers.

Welcome Song for Baby

Mother kissing baby
Age Level: 0-3

Product Description: From renowned First Nations storyteller Richard Van Camp comes a lyrical lullaby for newborns. Complemented with stunning photographs, this evocative board book is perfectly suited as a first book for every baby.