Debbie Reese, Pre-Eminent Scholar, Picks Best Native American Picture Books
I am so excited to find these books lists by pre-eminent Native American Children’s Literature scholar, Debbie Reese. This is the first list for picture books and I will add the ones for Middle School and High School soon. She has a wonderful website, American Indians in Children’s Literature. Her bio:
“I am tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo in northern New Mexico. I’m from the Upper Village (Yates family). Nambe has a website about our recreational area here: www.nambefalls.com. A former school teacher, I currently teach in UIUC’s American Indian Studies program. I’m a founding member of the Native American House and American Indian Studies program at the University of Illinois. I’m on the Literature Advisory Board for Reading is Fundamental and the Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read American Indian/Alaska Native. First Peoples listed my site as one of the Top Five Native Blogs and Podcast to follow.”
These are her Top 10: Best Native American Picture Books. Top 10: Best Native American Middle School Books here. Top 10: Best Native American Young Adult Books here.
p.s. I updated this list: Top 10 Best First Nations Books for Kids because I had a lot to learn about which books best depict the people of First Nations.
Top Ten Books Recommended for Elementary School
Campbell, Nicola. Shi-shi-etko
Campbell, Nicola. Shin-chi’s Canoe
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story
Harjo, Joy. The Good Luck Cat
Messinger, Carla. When the Shadbush Blooms
Ortiz, Simon J. The Good Rainbow Road/Rawa ‘kashtyaa’tsi hiyaani: A Native American Tale
Sockabasin, Allen J. Thanks to the Animals
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Jingle Dancer
Tingle, Tim. Crossing Bok Chitto (If you can, also get When Turtle Grew Feathers and Saltypie)
Waboose, Jan Bourdeau. SkySisters
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of the book. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Good Article
Thanks so much!