Top 10: Best Native American Children's Books (from Debbie Reese, the Pre-Eminent Scholar)

Debbie Reese, Pre-Eminent Scholar, Picks Best Native American Picture Books

I am so excited to find these books lists by 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.

12 Great Native American Picture Books

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

p.s. Related posts:

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My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

⭐ Starred review from Kirkus Reviews!

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods

California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

ALSC Notable Children’s Book
2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection