"I hope Riding the Trail encourages readers to consider other chapters in this country’s history and think about what hasn’t been commemorated. The 1984 ride helped create the National Trail of Tears roadway markers and later an annual ride. What else needs to be remembered and shared for the greater good?" ~Traci Sorell

"I hope Riding the Trail fills a gap in American history that has been open for too long. While the forced removal of Native peoples from their lands is difficult to revisit, it is a vital part of this country's history that should not be ignored or forgotten." ~Will Chavez

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story

Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry and Alexis Bunten; Illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr.

Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this beautiful picture book honors both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving through Wampanoag eyes. Native Americans teach the Pilgrims to grow the three sisters—corn, beans, and squash—for a successful harvest. For ages 3 to 7.

Danielle Greendeer is a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation and works in the areas of tribal governance, cultural perpetuation, and food sovereignty. She lives in Mashpee.

Anthony Perry is a Chickasaw citizen and author of Chula the Fox, an award-winning middle-grade historical-fiction book. He lives in London.

Alexis Bunten, Yu'pik and Unangan, authored the award-winning nonfiction book, So How Long Have You Been Native? Life as an Alaska Native Tour Guide. She lives in Monterey.

Garry Meeches Sr. (Anishinaabe) was born on the Long Plains reserve in southern Manitoba, Canada. His style is reminiscent of the plains style of art and evokes the Eastern Woodlands tradition. He lives in Connecticut, and this is his first picture book.

"We hope that Keepunumuk sparks a conversation on who we are as a nation and our values.  We want readers to see that America’s first people are still here, despite the odds. We also want them to appreciate land, animals and other people as relatives they depend on to thrive." ~Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten, Danielle Greendeer

Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa

Leslie Stall Widener; Illustrated by Johnson Yazzie

A nonfiction picture book about the inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in history--connecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe. For ages 5 to 8.

Leslie Stall Widener is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She has illustrated six Choctaw-related picture books: Chukfi Rabbit’s Big, Bad Bellyache; The Turkey Who Liked to Show Off; Why the Turtle Has Cracks on His Back; The Story of Tanchi; Why the Possum Has No Hair on His Tail; and Why Rabbit Has a Short Tail. Leslie lives in McKinney, Texas, with her artist husband, Terry Widener.

Born on the Navajo Nation in Pinon, Arizona, Johnson Yazzie's interest in creation began in childhood and led to a lifelong career in fine art as a painter, bronze sculptor, and illustrator. Johnson illustrated Yossel's Journey by Kathryn Lasky. The Navajo word hózhó means balance, harmony, beauty. It is the word by which he lives.

"A small act of kindness can have a big impact. Having empathy and compassion for others makes the world feel smaller. There is hurt and injustice everywhere but helping those in our own community is a good place to begin. Changes result when even one person takes a stand." ~Leslie Widener

Napesni Renegade

Marci R. Rendon; Illustrated by Sam Zimmerman

Napesni likes to stamp his hooves and sniff and snort in the dry dust of Cheyenne River Reservation. That all changes, though, when ranchers capture him and bring him to Minnesota instead. Sad, lonely, and homesick, Napesni searches for his family and home in this adventurous story. For ages 3 to 7.

Marcie R. Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, author, playwright, poet, and freelance writer. Also a community arts activist, Rendon supports other Native creators and is a speaker for colleges and community groups about Native issues, leadership, writing. Marcie is an award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear Mystery series for adults and also has an extensive body of fiction and nonfiction works. She is the creative mind behind Raving Native Theater, curating community-created performances.

Artist and educator Sam Zimmerman is a proud direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe). Drawing on ancestral connections, Sam continues the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling, embedding themes of environmental stewardship and conservation in his studio and public art commissions. Sam illustrated Following My Spirit Home: A Collection of Paintings and Stories, a silver finalist for a Midwest Book Award, and How the Birds Got Their Songs. He lives in Duluth, Minnesota, and regularly explores the natural beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore as the artist in residence at Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay.

"As a mother and grandmother I encourage everyone to live in ways to secure a future for all children seven generations ahead. Napesni Renegade is about a buffalo who finds his way home, and is also a story demonstrating how Native American nations model and practice food sovereignty for all." ~Marcie Rendon

 Many Ways of Being Native

Ginger Reno; Illustrated by Johnson Yazzie

A lyrical picture book celebrating Native identity and diversity, perfect for a bedtime read along. A winged messenger visits two Native children in their sleep and shows them how other Native children have grown up, each with different interests, dreams, and appearances. A moving celebration of identity, belonging, and the truth that who we are is always enough. For ages 4 to 7.

Ginger Reno is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and her desire to learn about Cherokee history and culture naturally spilled over into her writing. She is the author of Find Her, an Edgar Award nominated middle-grade novel, and Spirit Shadow, a picture book. Ginger lives in Oklahoma within the Cherokee Nation and likes to spend as much time as possible on her lakefront porch with her two favorite people—her husband and their twelve-year-old German shepherd.

Born on the Navajo Nation in Pinon, Arizona, Johnson Yazzie's interest in creation began in childhood and led to a lifelong career in fine art as a painter, bronze sculptor, and illustrator. Johnson illustrated Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa by Leslie Stall Widener and Yossel's Journey by Kathryn Lasky. The Navajo word hózhó means balance, harmony, beauty. It is the word by which he lives.

"We belong. Regardless of the color of our eyes, our skin, our hair. Inside, where it counts, we have the same strength of spirit our ancestors relied on to survive. And today, we can draw on that resilience to help us achieve whatever our dreams may be." ~Ginger Reno

Forever Cousins

Laurel Goodluck; Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson

In this Native American story, Kara and Amanda are best-friend cousins. Then Kara leaves the city to move back to the Rez. Will their friendship stay the same?

Native creators Laurel Goodluck and Jonathan Nelson share a sweet picture book with the universal experience of family and friends moving away.

Laurel Goodluck writes picture books with modern Native themes. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Laurel comes from an intertribal family and is an enrolled Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation and Tsimshian tribal member. Laurel has degrees in psychology and community counseling and family studies. She lives in Albuquerque, NM, where they raised two children.

Jonathan Nelson is a Navajo graphic designer, graphic artist, and illustrator. He is Kiiyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and Naakai Dine'é (Mexican Clan). Jonathan designs and creates art and illustrations with paints, pixels, and ballpoint pens. He lives outside Denver, Colorado, with his family.

"My wish is for young readers to find comfort in knowing Kara and Amanda maintain their close bond despite the distance. I also hope adults use this story to discuss how cultural traditions can strengthen relationships. Equally important, I hope adults discuss the U.S. Indian Relocation Act and how U.S. federal policies continue to impact Native families." ~Laurel Goodluck

Charlotte's New Moccasins

Jenn Moudahi; Illustrated by Rhael McGregor

Charlotte has outgrown her moccasins! Still, there's nothing a trip to Grandma's can't fix in this heartwarming intergenerational story. A sweet, celebratory picture book about family and culture by two debut Métis creators centered around Indigenous peoples' tradition of making moccasins. For ages 3 to 7.

 
Jenn Moudahi is a Métis author, clinical counselor, and mom. Stories are a common thread in her life—she writes them as an author, listens to them as a counselor, escapes into them as a reader, and allows too many at bedtime as a mom. Growing up, Jenn spent countless hours with her own mom learning to create Indigenous art, often helping to teach workshops throughout British Columbia. Jenn lives in Western Canada with her husband, two kids, and two purrfect cats.

Rhael McGregor is a Winnipeg-based, Métis, and Two-Spirit/queer artist. Since stepping into storytelling in 2018, Rhael has been passionately telling stories as a writer and illustrator in hopes of all readers being able to see themselves in books. They love the winter, sweet treats, and doing beadwork for family and friends. They also illustrated Noodin’s Perfect Day.

"I hope Charlotte’s New Moccasins opens conversations about special people in our lives and cultural traditions in families. I’d love for kids to explore their own personal flair and creativity, just like Charlotte does when she designs her unique moccasins." ~ Jenn Moudahi

These books offer only a glimpse into the many stories, histories, traditions, and experiences of Native and Indigenous communities. We're grateful for our creators who share their voices and perspectives with readers so that we may learn from the past, while celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future.

Please check out our full Native/Indigenous list of books and continue to celebrate the many Native and Indigenous voices in children's literature.