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November is Native American Heritage Month. While sharing voices, stories, contributions, and leaders from the Native American community is essential across ALL days of the year, it can still be fun and meaningful to highlight Indigenous cultures across this designated month. These five picture books not only highlight culture, but they are written by Indigenous authors. Let’s get to reading!
We All Play by Julie Flett
This sweet book highlights the similarities of children’s playtime and animal playtime! At the end, everyone falls asleep. This would make this book fun for making predictions, or to recommend to caregivers as a bedtime story. It also has a Cree dictionary in the back to practice learning animal words in Cree. This is a newer book (released in 2021) and it is absolutely one of my favorite Native American picture books.
Birdsong by Julie Flett
Katherena moved and feels lonely, and is befriended by her elderly neighbor. Their friendship grows through their similarities and their explorations outside and through art. When her neighbor’s health begins to decline, Katherena struggles to navigate her new friendship.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
I love that this book can be found as a hard cover and a board book, which opens it up to so many readers! This sweet book shares the many things that bring happiness, like sunshine and bread baking in the oven. This is a FAVORITE in our house!
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson shares the incredible story of Hiawatha as a translator in the 14th century and how he shared a unifying message to warring Iriquois nations. This is a great book to share history of Indigenous people in America before sharing stories of Native Americans in present day contexts!
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Here’s that present day book! This beautiful book shares about Jenna, who will be performing at her first Pow Wow and is looking for some jingles to add to her dress.
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What Native American picture books will you read for Native American Heritage Month?
