Children's Book Suggestions | Native American Picture Books

These books by Indigenous authors & illustrators were featured in our November 2023 scavenger hunt.

For older readers in Grades 2-8, see our Native American Heritage Month book list.

Traditional Indigenous stories are shelved in Children's Nonfiction under the number 299.7

Information about federally registered tribes both historically and in the present day is shelved in Children's Nonfiction under the number 973.0497


Updated October 21, 2023
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi!
Coulson, Art
Paper Book
Celebremos la diversidad, las matematicas y el poder del cuento! Celebrating diversity, math, and the power of storytelling in Spanish bilingual editions! Bo quiere encontrar el recipiente perfecto para mostrar sus canicas tradicionales en la Fiesta Nacional Cheroqui...
The used-to-be best friend
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
American Indian Youth Literature Award: Middle Grade Honor Book! Hello/Boozhoo--meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is. Jo Jo...
We are water protectors
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors,...
Raven, rabbit, deer
Holler, Sue Farrell
Paper Book
In an intergenerational winter's story full of quiet wonder, a little boy takes his grandfather for a walk down a forest trail. The boy shows Grandpa how to jump in the snow and how to make it splash into the creek. Grandpa shows the boy rabbit tracks and deer hiding among the trees...
Buffalo wild!
Havrelock, Deidre
Paper Book
An exuberant celebration of the Buffalo's return to the wild. Since Declan was born, his kokum has shared her love of Buffalo through stories and art. But Declan longs to see real Buffalo. Then one magical night, herds of the majestic creatures stampede down from the sky. That's when...
Grandma's tipi : a present-day Lakota story
Nelson, S. D.
Paper Book
Now that Clara is almost in third grade, she's finally old enough to spend her first summer away from home visiting her grandma, Unci, and her cousin at their home in Standing Rock Reservation. To welcome her visit, Uncle Louie brings an extra-special surprise in his pickup truck: the tipi that's...
Tanna's owl
Qitsualik-Tinsley, Rachel
Paper Book
When Tanna's father brings home an abandoned owl, she is not eager to take care of the needy, ugly little bird. Tanna must wake at 4:00 a.m. to catch food for the owl. She must feed it, clean up after it, all while avoiding its sharp, chomping beak and big, stomping talons. After weeks of...
My heart fills with happiness = Nijiikendam
Gray Smith, Monique
Paper Book
★ "A quiet loveliness, sense of gratitude, and--yes--happiness emanate from this tender celebration of simple pleasures." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "Will leave the youngest readers gladly imagining what fills their own hearts with joy."--The New York Times The sun...
My powerful hair
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
Our ancestors say our hair is our memories, our source of strength and power, a celebration of our lives.
Fry bread : a Native American family story
Maillard, Kevin Noble
Paper Book
Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal A 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner "A wonderful and sweet book . . . Lovely stuff." --The New York Times Book Review Told in lively and powerful...
Jingle dancer
Smith, Cynthia Leitich.
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text is paired with the warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu in this affirming story of a contemporary Native American girl who turns to her family and community. The cone-shaped jingles sewn...
We are grateful : otsaliheliga
Sorell, Traci
Paper Book
The Cherokee community is grateful for the blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by best-selling Cherokee author Traci Sorell. This award-winning seasonal picture book is for 3-7-year-olds interested in contemporary Indigenous...
Keepunumuk : Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving story
Greendeer, Danielle
Paper Book
In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Wee chumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. A beautiful new classic perfect for fall. Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this picture book for 3-7-year...
Finding my dance
Thundercloud, Ria
Paper Book
In her debut picture book, professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of her path to dance and how it helped her take pride in her Native American heritage. At four years old, Ria Thundercloud was brought into the powwow circle, ready to dance in the...
Powwow day
Sorell, Traci
Paper Book
River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again? A heartwarming and hopeful contemporary Native American picture book for ages 4-8-year-olds about traditions, community, music, and healing, written and illustrated by Indigenous...
Still this love goes on
Sainte-Marie, Buffy
Paper Book
Finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award A New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2022! NAMED A BEST PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR: Kirkus Reviews, Globe and Mail, and Chicago Public Library ...

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