Celebrating Native Voices at Charlesbridge 0

In honor of Native American Heritage Month (and beyond), we're highlighting some of the our Native/Indigenous authors and illustrators in the Charlesbridge family and the books they have shared with readers. Our authors and illustrators invite readers to learn, connect, and see the world through different perspectives.

While these stories explore cultural traditions, history, and contemporary experiences, they also offer meaningful opportunities for readers to reflect on their own culture and traditions, and to consider the experiences of those around them.

With that in mind, we invite you to explore the books and voices we're celebrating this month and beyond.

Riding the Trail

Traci Sorell & Will Chavez

Follow Cherokee youths on a 950-mile bike journey retracing the Trail of Tears—from Georgia to Oklahoma—on the annual Remember the Removal Ride. This inspiring photo-rich nonfiction book follows Native youth riding to remember history, to link past and present through culture, to gain resilience, and to show activism. For ages 10 and up.

Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. She is the author of We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga, We Are Still Here!, and Mascot, among many others.

Award-winning journalist, photographer, and Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen Will Chavez previously coordinated the annual Remember the Removal ride from 2019–2024, participated in the inaugural ride in 1984, and served as a mentor rider in 2019. He is an assistant editor at the Cherokee Phoenix. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Trail of Tears Association.

"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.

Gentle Stories for Hard Conversations: Children's Books That Help 0

Talking to children about difficult topics can be challenging in itself. We often ask, how do we explain something we struggle to understand ourselves? Grief. Death. Depression. World conflict. We hope children are shielded from these realities—but the truth is, they are affected.

These four powerful picture books offer thoughtful, age-appropriate ways to help children process big emotions and complex experiences. Each story not only introduces a challenging topic, but also provides a pathway for meaningful conversations between children and the adults who support them.

Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story

by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Sarita Rich

Hard Topic:

Grief, death, and mourning rituals (Jewish sitting shiva)

Why This Book Helps:

• Introduces children to grief through a gentle, culturally specific lens, helping normalize mourning practices.
• Models how to support a grieving friend, even when you don’t know what to say or do.
• Encourages children to understand that simply listening can be enough to support the other person.

"It is often a very emotional time; mourners may feel deep sorrow, anger, confusion, despair, or exhaustion. Memories may make mourners weep, smile, or even laugh. The most important thing a visitor can do is be fully present with the mourners and listen without judgment."—Lesléa Newman, Author's Note in Something Sweet

Popo the Xolo

by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias

Hard Topic:

Death and remembrance (9 levels of Mictlān)

Why This Book Helps:

• Presents death as a journey rather than an ending, offering a comforting perspective for children.
• Highlights how different cultures honor and remember loved ones, expanding empathy and understanding.
• Reassures children that love continues through memory, tradition, and connection.

"When our loved ones die, it can make us feel sad, angry, or confused. It is okay to feel bad, but we must remember that people live on in our memories, our stories, and the things that make us feel close to them."—Paloma Angelina Lopez, back matter in Popo the Xolo

The Cloud That Stuck

by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dorothy Leung

Hard Topic:

Mental health, persistent emotions, and coping with challenges

Why This Book Helps:

• Gives children a visual metaphor for difficult emotions, making abstract feelings easier to understand.
• Shows that challenges aren’t always “fixable,” but can be managed with support and self-awareness.
• Encourages conversations around resilience, coping strategies, and asking for help.

"Some problems can be solved. Other problems cannot, and we must learn to live with them. This book is for anyone who has experienced challenges beyond their control."—Karen Krossing, Author's Note in The Cloud That Stuck

A Light for Lucinda: A Story from the Cuban Revolution

by Olga Herrera

Hard Topic:

War, political unrest, and fear during times of crisis

Why This Book Helps:

• Provides an age-appropriate entry point to discuss conflict and uncertainty in the world.
• Emphasizes the role of family, routine, and care as sources of comfort and stability.
• Helps children process fear by showing how hope and love can exist even in difficult circumstances.

"This story is a tribute to my Cuban heritage and a kiss on the wind to acknowledge the struggle of those who came before me. But beyond that, it speaks to the human impulse to bring order to chaos. It is a reminder of the comfort we can offer one another even in the face of great hardship, and the hope that enables us to persist."—Olga Herrera, Author's Note in A Light for Lucinda

Books likes these remind us that even the hardest conversations can begin with a story. By sharing these narratives with children, adults can create safe spaces for questions and emotions. Whether navigating grief, emotional struggles, or uncertainty in the world, these titles offer not just explanations—but connection, compassion, and hope.

And if you're looking for ways to engage readers, check out our downloadable Hard Topics for Kids Discussion Guide featuring these four books!

Charlesbridge had the pleasure of meeting with Lesléa Newman, Paloma Angelina Lopez, and Karen Krossing to talk about hard topics in children’s books. This thoughtful conversation explores why it’s important to have children’s books out there that face difficult topics.

Check out the full YouTube Video!

Finding Love Languages in Ways Papi Says I Love You 0

By Delia Ruiz, author of Ways Papi Says I Love You and Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero

From holding hands, hearing the words “hold on tight,” to a bouquet of wildflowers, love can be expressed in big and small ways. Love languages are the different ways people give and show love to others. Just like some kids love playing music while others prefer video games or reading, kids also have favorite ways of showing they care about someone. Some children feel loved when they get a high five while others appreciate when someone does something helpful for them, like helping them with chores. Understanding these different love expressions can help you show your family, friends, and students how much you care about them in ways that make them feel the most special.

Exploring the Many Ways We Pray: Q&A with Mary Wagley Copp 0

Jaliza Burwell of Charlesbridge in conversation with Mary Wagley Copp, author of Sometimes We Pray

In Sometimes We Pray, author Mary Wagley Copp invites readers to explore the many ways people pray—through movement, stillness, reflection, and community. The book celebrates the diversity of prayer practices around the world while highlighting the shared human longing for connection, hope, and belonging. Available as both a picture book and a board book, Sometimes We Pray encourages young readers to appreciate spirituality in many forms.

I spoke with Mary about the inspiration behind the book and why this topic feels especially meaningful for children today.

What inspired you to write a book exploring prayer across cultures and beliefs?
As an ELL teacher working with recently resettled newcomers from many countries and cultures, I tried to create space for them to share their stories—their traditions, daily lives, and beliefs—with one another. Those conversations often blossomed into questions about both the differences and the surprising similarities among the cultures in our classroom. I was amazed by the students’ curiosity and generosity of spirit. Despite their different backgrounds, they approached one another with openness and respect. Their willingness to listen, to ask, and to learn from each other became one of the most powerful lessons in the room. It was after one particular class—in which two women gathered their prayer rugs and went off to a corner to pray—that I tucked away the idea of writing about prayer for a young audience. It was really my students who inspired me!

How did your travels influence the story?
I have traveled extensively and lived abroad. Each time I interact with people from other cultures, I’m reminded that despite our different traditions, our deepest yearnings are remarkably alike. We want to be loved. We want to belong. We want our children to be safe. We strive for happiness. I also believe that in many forms of prayer there’s a shared longing—one of which is a desire to connect to something larger than ourselves and to care for one another while we are here. Travel and living abroad can certainly strengthen this perspective. But so can the simple act of getting to know someone whose story unfolds differently from our own. And I hope Sometimes We Pray inspires readers to do just that.

Your approach to writing this book makes it seem so welcoming to religious and nonreligious readers. Why was that important to you?
I appreciate the use of the terms religious and nonreligious rather than believers and nonbelievers. After all, we all believe in something. Many people who pray do not consider themselves religious. They may not attend services, belong to a formal faith community, believe in a supreme being, or observe traditional holidays. Yet they still trust in the power of prayer—in reflection, intention, connection, and/or hope. Accepting the value of prayer, within or outside of religion, acknowledges the wide and nuanced ways people make meaning in their lives.

How did you approach representing many cultures respectfully?
I interviewed people from many different backgrounds and faiths with varied ways of praying. I also asked readers to review the manuscript and share their thoughts. I’ve strived to do this with the utmost respect for the faiths represented. Because this is a picture book—with a necessarily limited word count—I couldn’t explore any one form of prayer in depth. In some ways, that constraint was helpful. It encouraged me to speak simply and spaciously, leaving room rather than filling every corner with explanation—something young readers would not have appreciated! I certainly didn’t capture every culture or spiritual tradition or all the ways people pray. But I hope the book—both text and illustrations—hold enough diversity and recognition for readers to feel both seen and curious. My deepest hope is that Sometimes We Pray is a springboard for conversation, inviting readers to share their own practices, questions, and stories about prayer.

I think one of the most beautiful parts of this book is that it shows prayer as something that connects people, rather than something that separates them. Was that an important element for you to work in?
So often, we see prayer as connected to religion. And so often, we see religious differences as lines that divide us. Yes, we are different. We eat different foods. We raise our children in different ways. We dress, worship, celebrate, and mourn in our own traditions. But beneath those visible differences runs something deeper—something shared—something I believe is often embodied in our prayers. We all long to belong. We all hope for love. We all wish for happiness and good health. Those shared longings are our common ground, the threads of our shared humanity. When we choose to look for that common ground, we see beyond what divides us. And in that realm, we discover not just who others are but who we can be.

In what settings do you hope this book will be shared—at home, in classrooms, or as part of special celebrations?
Everywhere! All the time! I think Sometimes We Pray is appropriate in all venues. It is meant to pique curiosity and to invite inquiry.

At Charlesbridge, we were so excited to release this book simultaneously as a picture book and a board book. It makes the story so unique. Are you excited to be reaching a wider audience? Was this choice important to you?
I love that Sometimes We Pray is a picture book and a board book. It was not my decision, though! Board books are so important for our youngest children and when we introduce words, concepts, and pictures early on, we can lay an important foundation for literacy and learning.

This book feels so timely. What do you hope young readers will take away from this story?
Today we have such deep divisions at so many levels: globally, nationally, and within our own communities. And the tone is divisive—often unkind. I believe the earlier we begin to listen, to try to understand, to honor differences and our shared underpinnings, the greater chance we have for more peace in this world.

Mary Wagley Copp is the author of Yoshi's Big Swim and Wherever I Go. She loved exploring the world with her parents and studying Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico; visiting the symbol of ancient Greece, the Parthenon; and imagining how the Incans built Machu Picchu in Peru. When she is not reading and writing stories, she’s an ELL teacher working with recently resettled newcomers, and she recently traveled to Ethiopia and beyond.

Sometimes We Pray

Available in both hardcover and board book format.