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Indigenous and Native American Books: Grades K-2

By Skokie Staff Youth Services

These are some of our favorite books to share with kids in grades K-2 featuring Indigenous and Native American people. We focused on books with Indigenous authors and illustrators.

  • What's in a Bead?

    2024 by Borgford, Kelsey

    In this Cree story, Tessa wants to learn how to bead from her grandmother, but first she must learn about the many stories in each bead.

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  • What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me: Deb Haaland's Historic Inauguration

    2023 by Bunten, Alexis C.

    Pia and her family gather around the TV on March 18, 2021, to witness Deb Haaland become the first Native American to serve as a United States cabinet secretary.

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  • Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome

    2023 by Cooper, Nancy

    A group of animals gives thanks to the hardworking beavers that help them survive in the forest.

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  • The Secret Pocket

    2023 by Janicki, Peggy

    This gorgeously illustrated picture book is based on a true story about a group of girls at a residential school who sewed secret pockets into their clothes to hide food.

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  • Heart Berry Bling

    2023 by Dupuis, Jenny Kay

    As they bead together, Maggie and Granny talk about Granny's life journey and connection to her Anishinaabe culture.

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  • Grandma's Tipi: A Present-day Lakota Story

    2023 by Nelson, S. D.

    This intergenerational story features third-grader Clara, who spends her first summer away visiting family at the Standing Rock Reservation. The tipi is the center of life, joy, and inspiration for them.

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  • Auntie's Rez Surprise

    2023 by O'Watch, Heather

    When Auntie comes for a visit, she has a surprise in her bag from the rez for Cree. Includes some Cree words.

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  • The Song That Called Them Home

    2023 by Robertson, David

    When her brother is pulled under the water by a legendary Memekwesewak, a young girl must follow him and bring him back home safely.

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  • A Letter for Bob

    2023 by Rogers, Kim

    In this lovely picture book, Katie writes a letter to Bob, the family car, who has taken them to everyday places like school and lacrosse tournaments and to special places like Indian Hills Powwow, Yellowstone, and Oklahoma State Fair. Bob has been around for sad events and joyful events. When it's time to say goodbye, Katie writes So:ti:c?a or "thank you" in the Wichita language.

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  • Just Like Grandma

    2023 by Rogers, Kim

    Becca adores her grandma and wants to be just like her, but in one of the fun ways they spend time together, grandma wants to be just like Becca.

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  • We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know

    2021 by Sorell, Traci

    In this fascinating and informative nonfiction book, 12 Native American kids address the challenges and victories in Native American history.

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  • Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

    2023 by Sorell, Traci

    The press reported "Indian against Indian" when two Native American professional baseball players played against each other for the first time in the 1911 World Series. Charles Bender, pitcher with the Philadelphia As, faced off against John Meyers, a hitter with the New York Giants, in this beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

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  • Finding My Dance

    2022 by Thundercloud, Ria

    A memoir of this amazing dancer's life, from her first powwow circle at age four, through her international career as a professional dancer, to the birth of her first child.

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  • Runs With the Stars

    2022 by Whitecrow, Darcy

    While waiting for a foal to be born, a grandfather tells his grandchild about the small but mighty Ojibwe horses that used to run wild in Canada.

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  • Phoenix Gets Greater

    2022 by Wilson-Trudeau, Marty

    Phoenix loves to dance and play with dolls and doesn't quite fit in with the other kids. With the support of his mom and brother, he learns about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people and how special they are in his culture.

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