This we know; the earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Chief Seattle’s Thoughts
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, I rounded up some newly published books that speak to the speech made by Chief Seattle:
How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us.
If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can we buy them?
Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man.
The white man’s dead forget the country of their birth when they go to walk among the stars. Our dead never forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man — all belong to the same family. [Read the rest of Chief Seattle’s speech here.] Chief Seattle’s speech was submitted by Dr. Glenn T. Olds at Alaska’s Future Frontiers conference in 1979.
What books for kids are you reading to your kids to celebrate Native American Heritage Month? Please share! Thank you!
4 Children’s Books for Native American Heritage Month
The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
This newest picture book by Joseph Bruchac is masterful in his storytelling of a traditional story shared by many indigenous nations of the Northeast. It can be read on many different levels: it can be a story about loyalty, spirituality, and also the delicate balance of nature between hunter and prey. The illustrations marry beautifully as well. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Thunder Egg by Tim J. Myers, illustrated by Winfield Coleman
Stands-by-Herself is different from the other kids so she keeps to herself. She finds an odd gray stone that looks like a thunder egg and she brings it back and wraps it carefully. When a drought threatens her people, she sacrifices her egg and leaves it on a high ridge. With a crack of thunder, the egg shatters and releases a thunder bird, leaving behind a cracked geode. Her ministrations are rewarded and the rain returns. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Giving Thanks by Jonathan London, illustrated by Gregory Manchess
A father reminds his son to give thanks every morning as they take a hike through the woods. He thanks all the gifts from nature: the frogs and crickets, the wild mushrooms, the trees, and the animals. A lovely reminder to create a daily routine of gratitude. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Red Cloud: A Lakota Story of War and Surrender by S. D. Nelson
Red Cloud (1822-1909) was a great warrior and chief of the Lakota (or Sioux). Told from his perspective, he describes the events that brought him to prominence as the leader of his people. They say there are three versions of the truth: your side, my side, and the actual truth. This book represents the Lakota point of view of the role white men played in the conflicts between them including deception, broken promises, and aggression. Red Cloud advocated for a peace treaty, The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which ended the war with the U.S. Army, and sent his people to a reservation that was all of western present-day South Dakota, including the Black Hills. Other leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse did not sign this treaty and continued to fight. In the end, the U.S. government did not honor the treaty that was signed. When gold was found in the Black Hills, their land was taken by force, and the Lakota people were forced to move to present-day Oklahoma. [advanced picture book, ages 8 and up]
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My books:
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- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
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Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus Reviews!
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The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
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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
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Amazon / Barefoot Books / 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
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
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Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
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Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Thank you for sharing the wise words of Chief Seattle — wisdom that I hope opens people’s hearts and minds. We are all connected and I believe this truth is resonating with the children who are very concerned about our environment. I loved the new books you shared today. Will check them out. Why isn’t Wisdom Tales on Twitter?
Hi Patricia,
Thank you so much! I’m not sure why Wisdom Tales isn’t on Twitter. They are a small company so it’s probably due to not having staff that knows social media. I’ll read out to the marketing person and suggest it. Thanks for noticing!
A great list of books! I’m putting them on hold at our local library! Thanks you!
Thank you so much for your kind words Erin!
Joseph Bruchac is a brilliant author- I think I read he is originally from England? But what great research and time he puts into each of his books. You can tell he has a passion for learning about indigenous cultures.
Hi Becky,
I think Joseph Bruchac is from Maine?? He’s Abenaki and that is where they reside? Unless his family relocated to England? I’m curious now! I met his cousin at Plimouth Plantation a few years ago!