As we honor Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, it’s important to have open conversations and encourage your children to ask questions about this heritage. Indigenous children’s books can be a great place to start. Plus, reading is an interactive activity that includes both you, the parent, and the child.

No matter your little one’s reading level, it’s never too early to start learning (or reading) about Indigenous history and issues. This colorful roundup of Indigenous stories includes a little bit of everything from lyrically written picture books to beautifully illustrated board books, and even a children’s bedtime poem—all of which feature main Indigenous characters and storylines. Celebrate Indigenous heritage with these children’s books about Indigenous peoples.

15 Indigenous children’s books to add to your child’s bookshelf

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1. Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child; Illustrations by Jonathan Thunder

Dubbed “a powwow tale for the ages,” this children’s book centers around a character named Windy Girl and her dog, Itchy Boy. Readers learn about her family’s traditional powwows where they eat, dance, sing, and recount long-ago stories while around a campfire, under the stars.

Ages: Preschool – 3

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2. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Kevin Noble Maillard; Illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal

A 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner, Fry Bread is a beautifully versed picture book about a modern Native American family.

Ages: Preschool – 1

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3. Birdsong by Julie Flett

New to the neighborhood, young Katherena finds solace in an elderly woman named Agnes, who resides next door. The two have a lot in common. They love arts and crafts and find beauty in spending time outside with birds and nature; but when Agnes falls ill, Katherena feels like her world is being turned upside down.

Ages: Preschool – 3

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4. All Around Us by Xelena Gonzalez; Illustrations by Adriana Garcia

In Xelena Gonzalez’s debut picture book, she writes about the strong bond between a grandfather and granddaughter, who embark on a journey to learn about the “circles” or cycles of life and nature, and what it means to be truly present in this half of the circle.

Ages: Preschool – 2

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5. Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk; Illustrations by Alexandria Neonakis

Told through the heart and eyes of a new Inuit mom, Sweetest Kulu depicts “the traditional Inuit values of love and respect for the land and its animal inhabitants” through lovely illustrations of a newborn receiving gifts from all the cute Arctic animals. This board book makes for a thoughtful bedtime poem.

Ages: Baby and up

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6. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstorm; Illustrations by Michaela Goade

In this New York Times bestselling picture book, which is inspired by real events, a young water protector stands up to fight the evil black snake that is threatening to wipe out the Earth’s water resources.

Ages: Preschool – 1

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7. My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith; Illustrations by Julie Flett

What makes your child happy? What brings a smile to their face? Monique Gray Smith alongside famed illustrator Julie Flett created this board book to inspire little ones to contemplate the things in life that bring them joy. Per Amazon, these two creatives joined forces “to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families.”

Ages: Preschool and up

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8. When We Were Alone by David Robertson; Illustrations by Julie Flett

Intrigued and a little confused, a young girl asks her Cree grandmother about the things that make her “different” from other people in their neighborhood, like her grandmother’s braided hair, her colorful clothes, their family traditions, and why she chooses to speak Cree all the time.

Ages: K – 2

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9. Powwow Day by Traci Sorell; illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight

River wants to dance at the annual powwow day but due to a recent illness she might not get the chance to. In this inspiring picture book, read about the healing power of community and the history behind powwow days.

Ages: Preschool and up

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10. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

In this Newbery Honor Award winner Attean, a boy from the Beaver tribe strikes an unlikely friendship with a white boy named Matt. Matt is having trouble guarding his family’s cabin and hunting for food when Attean arrives just in time to help him out and explain dangers of the changing frontier.

Ages: 9-11

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11. Stolen Words by Melanie Florence; illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard

A little girl asks her grandfather how to say something in his native language, Cree. But, when he says his language was stolen from him long ago, the little girl sets out to help reunite him with his language. This moving picture book portrays the shared pain of Indigenous children who were removed from their families and sent to residential schools.

Ages: 6-9

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12. The First Blade of Sweetgrass by Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey; illustrations by Nancy Baker

A little girl accompanies her grandmother for the first time to gather sweetgrass for basket weaving. She must overcome her impatience to learn the art of gathering just as her ancestors have done for generations. This Own Voices Native American picture book story was named an ALA Notable Children’s Books 2022.

Ages: preschool and up

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13. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

This beautiful picture book tells the unique story of a village girl who loved horses. She guided them to water and where she went they followed until, finally she ran as free as they did.

Ages: baby and up

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14. The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin; illustrations by David Shannon

Based on an Algonquin Indian folklore, this picture books tells an epic Cinderella-like tale of an invisible being on the shores of Lake Ontario. Everyone tried to gain his attention, including the cruel sisters of a girl whose face was once scarred by fire. Could she succeed where others had failed?

Ages: 6-9

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15. How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton; illustrations by Lisa Desimini

In this retelling of a Navajo folktale, the First Woman tries to use the stars to write the law of the land but she is tricked by the trickster Coyote.

Ages: baby and up

A version of this post was published November 6, 2021. It has been updated.