Indigenous Written Books for Children
- Rachel Red-Horse
- Nov 12, 2021
- 3 min read
We're sharing 15 of our favorite children's books written by Native authors to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
Growing up my mom always said being read to was one of the best ways to read books, I'd have to say I wholeheartedly agree. Now that I'm a mom myself I love to read to my children and it makes me unbelievably happy when my toddler grabs a book and crawls into my lap. Before my children was born I started collecting books to reflect their heritage and the list I've compiled continues to grow. I'd like to share some of these books with you. I hope you find something you can snuggle up and read with your little one or you find a book to pass to someone you love.
This was the first book I fell in love with while starting my search and the first book we bought for our son. It's a beautiful story of praying and loving a baby into a family.
This book shares the animals which are important to the Indigenous Peoples of the Northwest coast. The art is in the style of these people with an abundance of color.
A book that celebrates all the small things that can fill your heart with happiness.
Zoe and her dad encounter a fawn in the forest without its mother. As they venture further they come across more animals and learn their names.
Little You is a beautiful book that celebrates every child for who they are and what they will be.
A fun depiction of family life told through a native staple, fry bread.
A book filled with the most beautiful illustrations tells a story of resistance and love all in the name of sacred water.
The story of a young girl and her grandma and the experience of Residential schools.
Based on the tales of Raven from Northwest Coast Peoples, Raven battles the Tide Lady to help his people.
The story of a girl and her grandfather and reconnecting with things stolen by a residential school
The story of Maria Tallchief and her journey from her Osage reservation to becoming a prima ballerina with her parents support.
A celebration of the thirteen moon seasons through poems and pictures.
The story of Margaret who goes to a residential school to learn despite her father warning her against it.
A grandmother and her granddaughter go to collect sweetgrass for baskets and the little girl learns a valuable lesson from this medicine plant.
A Native spin on the Christmas classic
Indigenous Owned Bookstores
We love to support Indigenous owned businesses whenever we can so we've compiled a list of bookstores where you can shop for many of these titles and so much more. Click on the links below to start your shopping!
Birchbark Books -Minnesota based bookstore open daily, also available for online purchases
Massy Books - Located in Vancouver's Chinatown they are open in person and online for orders
Na Mea Hawai'i - Based in Honolulu this store sells so much more than books! Definetley a place to stop in and see if you get the chance
Red Planet comics -This Santa Fe store is the only Indigenous owned comic book store, they also sell regular books.
Red Salmon Arts/Casa de Resistencia Books - this bookstore in Texas is not just a bookstore but a cultural arts organization as well.
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