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:
Native American Books For Kids
#OwnVoices Children’s Books for Thanksgiving & Indigenous Peoples Day
A Selection of #OwnVoices Native American Stories
#OwnVoices Powwow Picture Books
Native American Residential Schools #OwnVoices Book List
Books for Kids to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Contemporary Native Americans in KidLit
Do kids think that Native Americans are only the past? This list will hopefully change that!
Native American Folklore and Creation Stories by Native Americans
Plimoth Plantation: Learning About Native Americans
What to read when preparing for a visit to Plimoth Plantation.
Top 10: Native American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)
This is the list I made.
Top 10: Best Native American Middle School Books
Debbie Reese’s list for middle grade chapter books.
Top 10: Best Native American Picture Book
Debbie Reese’s list for picture books.
Top 10: Best Native American Young Adult Books
Debbie Reese’s list of YA books is very popular.
Notable Native American Children’s Author: Joseph Bruchac
I am a huge fan of Joseph Bruchac, a happy discovery from chatting with my librarian when creating my list.
The Navajo Code Talkers of WWII
The author of this advanced picture book lives one town over!
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of the book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Good Article
Thanks so much!