You Were Made for This World: Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People. Edited by Stephanie Sinclair and Sara Sinclair with a foreword by Mazina Giizhik-iban (Murray Sinclair). tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $28.99 all ages

"Mother Earth takes care of us without 
ever asking anything in return. We need
to give back and help the water and the 
planet. They need our voices. 

Use your voice like I have chosen to use mine."

                                - Autumn Peltier

This fine collection of letters and art celebrate Indigenous voices for young people. Reading the many entries show readers that they belong, and that they deserve recognition for who they are. Every single one matters. Forty-three writers, artists, activists, athletes, teachers, and others celebrate what young people can do while encouraging them to share the pride they have in their heritage. They speak of finding comfort in the language and traditions that make them who they are, and invite readers to share their experiences with others. 

Five titled medicine bundles are included: Water, Tobacco, Cedar, Sweetgrass and Sage. Within these traditional medicine sections, twenty influential writers encourage readers to think about their strengths, their place in the world, and what their future might look like. Each writer's entry is accompanied by meaningful and beautiful artwork that reflects the warm encouragement being shared. 

The book offers a starting point for conversations to be had with children to help them feel good about themselves and their ancestry. There is a lot of misunderstanding for young kids who may not be fully aware of family, the past, and what the future might bring. The writers and artists are well-known to many and offer encouragement at every turn of the page. 

In their own family, the editors learned about the horrors of the Holocaust from their Jewish grandmother, while there was shame felt and secrets kept about their Indigenous grandfather's survival at an Indian Residential School. It is their wish that young people today will find their own identity and culture through the entries presented. The letters serve as a look at the past while encouraging wishes for times to come. 

A list of contributors brings the book to an end, with names and short informative passages about each. 

"Watch your aunties and copy what they do. That's the 
best way to learn. 

You don't need to cut moose meat, scale fish, pick 
medicine, or go to sweat lodge to be an Indian. 

Love your friend and your family. 

Accept love back. 

You were made for this world. 

                         Jessica Johns"

We Are Who We Are: An Ode to Indigenous Heroes Past and Present, written by Wab Kinew and illustrated by Janine Gibbons. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Our love is so pure. 
it comes from the heart. 
If they hate, that's on them. 
We are who we are. 

We are who we are. 
There's strength in this too. 
We kept this place free, 
so you can be you."

In this companion book to Go Show the World (tundra, 2018), Wab Kinew extends the list of Indigenous heroes who have left a lasting legacy in Canadian history. There are 13 men and women included whose accomplishments are far-reaching and numerous. As he did in his first book, he introduces them in rhythmic language meant to inspire young Indigenous readers to learn more about what makes them who they are. 

It begins with the importance of the braid and the way it connects with strength, and through time. He then moves to a series of double-page spreads that honor heroes beginning with Mary Golda Ross, an engineer whose work helped launch jets, rockets, and NASA into space. From there, he writes about Chief Dan George, Steve Charging Eagle of the Lakota, Louis Riel, Thanadelthur, Tasha Spillett, N. Scott Momaday, Pine Leaf, Patricia Nez Henderson, Fawn, Tommy Prince, Phil Fontaine, and Mr. Bonga. 

Interspersed between, a repetitive refrain reminds readers of all that was done to allow people to be who they are, and to be proud. There is little information provided in the odes to the mentioned people. However, a section in back matter titled Biographies provides further relevant information about each and a winning sketch to accompany the paragraph. 

"TOMMY PRINCE (1915-1977) was an Ojibwe
war hero and soldier who fought during World 
Was II. He is one of Canada's most decorated 
Indigenous soldiers, recognized for his service
in the First Special Service Force, an elite 
American-Canadian commando unit. He was 
also a strong advocate for equality and Indigenous 
rights." 

Janine Gibbons' artwork is stunning and 'was created with acrylic paint on poster paper coated in clear sealant. The sketches were created with pencil, pen and ink on card stock'. Every spread is sure to inspire interest and close observation as the book is shared. The spreads are filled with the realistic beauty of every setting, and many familiar and respected symbols that speak to Indigenous culture. 
                                                                                    

A Salmon Story: Protecting the Future, written by Willie Poll and illustrated by Chantelle Trainor-Matties. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 5 and up

"Their world gets bigger, and so do they ... 

The salmon are now called smelts. They've grown 
a lot but are still young and haven't reached full 
strength. At this point, they emerge into an estuary, 
a body of water where the stream's fresh water mixes
with the ocean's salt water."

Narration for this life cycle story, that also touches on the threats that salmon face as they make their way from hatching to final spawning, is clear and rhythmically shared in the voice of one salmon. It is third generation, and explains its purpose in this world and how when its life ends, it will watch from the spirit world the life cycle continue for thousands of years forward. 

Poetic text offers the tale of a salmon hatching beneath a waterfall, strong and ready to make its way in life. Newborns sustain themselves by consuming their nourishing yolk sac before heading out into the river. From alevin (newborns) to fry, they make their way toward the sea looking for food to sustain them. On this first part of the journey they smolt, and their scales turn to silver as they move from freshwater toward the sea's saltwater environment. 

At the same time, they become prey for animals like seals and eagles. In this estuary, they feed in preparation for a long journey. They also come upon large nets with trapped fish inside them. A fish farm is something new to the salmon, and they are not prepared for anything that blocks their travel.

"Human activity has changed salmon habitats and interfered 
with their long-established routes. One of the most harmful of these
activities is open-net pen fish farms - enclosures in the water where 
fish are kept and eventually sold to markets and restaurants."

Even if the salmon are not trapped there, they are exposed to the sea lice and viruses that are abundant near these fish farms. Healthy fish become sick; the salmon population lessens; orcas and bears that depend on salmon can no longer rely on the abundant food they once provided. Salmon carcasses, which once enriched the soil, have also diminished. 

Willie Poll, a Metis author and educator, has written an effective and informative book. Her poetic text is accompanied on each spread by further text in a smaller font that adds context and worthwhile facts. It is a call to readers and listeners to consider the threats faced by a keystone species and how it impacts nature and humans. Ms. Trainor-Matties accompanies the text with Northwest Coastal designs that show the salmon and wildlife found there. 

In final pages, there is a note from knowledgekeeper Lakal't (Tanina Williams) who speaks to the need to care for the salmon for future generations. Alongside her note is a list of words from her Lil'wat nation, words that she and members of her nation want to preserve and increase. Finally, a glossary offers an explanation for words used in the book's text.  

You Are the Land, written and illustrated by Steph Littlebird. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"When I could walk, my mom sang to me:

You are the mountains, the hills are your relatives, 
and Earth is our Mother.

My mom is like a valley. Her love protects me
like an evergreen canopy. She teaches me
to be gentle like a warm spring day." 

In a foreword, Steph Littlebird gives readers information about her people and their culture. She explains what it means to be a "place keeper" for the earth. She hopes that her book will encourage all who read it to become more in tune with nature and their role in keeping it safe. 

The narrator is a child who introduces family members, starting with her grandmother and her song concerning Indigenous traditions and connections to nature. She compares her grandmother to a flower. As she grows older, her grandfather compares her to water and teaches her to have courage. Once walking, her mom sings songs about the hills and mountains and about Mother Earth. Her dad compares her to the sky and calls her a shooting star. His warmth encourages her to dream big and shine like the sun. All these lessons allow her to teach her little sister by listening to her questions and loving her fiercely. 

Her first powwow continues the lessons. 

"You are the land, a part of all creation."

This is an affirming story of family connections and shared learning about the natural world. Its poetic tone and detailed artwork are filled with images of nature and Indigenous wisdom. 

The Inquisitive Raven, written by Richard Wagamese and illustrated by Bridget George. D&M Kids, 2025. $24.95 ages 8 and up

"But if he could hold his wings motionless
in the sky and hang suspended above them 
all perhaps the other animals of the forest
would respect him. If he could soar like 
Migizi maybe they would regard him like
her. Surely there couldn't be all that much 
of a trick to it. After all, they were both
birds with wings and feathers. Surely with
a little pluck and practice a raven could 
soar like an eagle. So Rueben began to 
learn to soar."

This is the second book in the Storybook Collection by Richard Wagamese. It is a beautiful book, with stunning illustrations by Bridget George, that further introduces younger readers to his Ojibwe storytelling prowess. 

Rueben is a most inquisitive and engaging character who is considered nosy by many of his forest friends. Always amazed by the world around him, he is keen to learn about the wonders of that world.  
There are many stories from others about his curiosity and his ways of offering uncalled-for advice. Grampa Raven is encouraging in his support of Rueben and willing to answer questions he might have. When Rueben sees Migizi, an eagle with a wondrous ability to soar, his grandfather tells him that Migizi has many gifts.

Now, all Rueben wants to do is learn to soar. He dedicates his time, his patience, and his endless persistence to that end. After many tries and much practice, Rueben is ready to show the others what he can do. His attempt goes awry, and he plummets to the ground. Concerned that the others will not see his accomplishment with the same respect they have for Migizi, he needs his grandfather's reassurance that he has many of his own gifts. Rueben does not see them.                                                                             

"Migizi does. When she soars she sees the world. Her keen eye catches everything. She knows how 
powerful wonder and curiosity are. She knows how great a thing it is to be part of a community, and to take the time to investigate the things and the beings around you. She knows how special it is to be able to celebrate knowledge and to be willing to share it. She sees you do all of that and she carries deep respect for you."

Wise old grandfather ... so proud and respectful of his grandson and all he has accomplished. With a light heart, Rueben soon flies off to continue his studies of the world around him, always discovering something new. 

Thanks to Richard Wagamese and his wise storytelling, readers learn that they must look at themselves to see what they do best. 
                                                                                     

Across the Ice: How We Saved the Ojibwe Horse, written by Darcy Whitecrow and Heather M. O'Connor. Illustrated by Natasha Donovan. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"The government didn't like our little wild ponies. 
They called them a nuisance and a health hazard. 
They were going to shoot them. We couldn't let 
that happen. Our ancestors had bred these ponies
for many generations. They were our spirit animals. 
Our friends. They were the last of their kind. We 
had to save them. But how?"

It's a highly anticipated evening for two young members of the Lac La Croix First Nation in northwestern Ontario. They cannot sleep with a house full of relatives all eager for what's about to happen. Nookomis reminds them they must continue to wait. She is persuaded to retell the story of the wild ponies who once shared their land. Those horses were a great help to the people through the winter, and on their trip to summer camps. They would wander free in the summer to birth their foals and always be brought back in the autumn. 

The last time Nookomis saw them, there were only four left. The people determined to save these spirit animals and made careful plans to take them to safety in Minnesota. There was only one way to transport them - across the frozen lake. With time and patience, they were rounded up and taken away. Nookomis had not seen them for forty years. 

Complications in growing the herd from four to more once again took time and effort. Today they are called Ojibwe horses in honor of the family's ancestors. Tonight, a small herd from Alberta is making the trip to Lac La Croix where they will be reunited with Nookomis and those who once loved and honored them. A new story will be shared in years to come. Emotional and uplifting.                                                                                       

I AM MY NAME: A Girl's Journey to Finding Her Cree Family, written by Na'Kuset and Judith Henderson. Illustrated by Onedove. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"'This is your new name."

That name is not me. 
I do not want a new name.
I need to find my sister so 
she can tell them I have a name." 

In my first year of teaching in 1971, one of my Indigenous children was 'scooped'. I did not understand it at the time. I was told he had been adopted by a family in the United States; the adoption agency in whose care he was explained that it was thrilled that he had found a family. It took a long time before I truly understood that process.

In this book, a young Cree girl and her sister are removed from their beds at night; she wakes up in the morning in a new room with a new family. Her name has been changed. As she spends her days mourning the loss of her sister, she finds her new family cold and distant; but for Bubbie an older woman who is kind to her and shows her a gentle and loving spirit, her life would be impossible. Whenever Bubbie goes home, the sadness returns. 

As days pass, she finds happiness at the synagogue, when she is learning, and when playing with her new best friend. Still, the best place to be is with Bubbie, her new grandmother. She feels at home whenever they are together. On the day her best friend's mother calls her a 'little Cree girl', she remembers it to be true. That is exactly what she is. Confronting her adoptive mother and father does her no good. They tell her she is lucky to have this new life they have provided. 

"I don't feel lucky.
I don't 
I don't
I don't 
I don't
belong. 

I have come from somewhere else, where 
I am Cree and I have a big sister
and another name. 
Maybe my sister is missing me."

In timer she runs away to her Bubbie's house, where the time they spend together brings great joy. Bubbie gently reminds her that she will not always be there for her. Though fearful of that truth, Bubbie also reminds her that she is beautiful. Together, they search for her sister and she finally goes home. From an elder there, she is given her Spirit name ... Na'kuset. 

Notes from the three collaborators add important context for this story of love and family. Honest and personal storytelling, accompaniedd by emotional artwork, shows how connection to loved ones endures and impacts families everywhere. 

The Wandering Feather, written by Lisa Frenette and illustrated by August Swinson. Owlkids, 2025. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"When the wind quiets, 
the feather drifts down,
landing on a woman's hat
decorated with three shiny 
peacock feathers. 

It would be fun to live with
such colorful friends,
the feather thinks. 
Could this be my 
new home?

Before the feather has time 
to settle, the woman spots 
it, plucks if from her hat, and
tosses it over her shoulder."

When a red-tailed hawk drops a feather in a quick dive to make a mouse its breakfast, a long and impressive journey begins. As it lands, the feather is concerned that it has lost its home; the rest of the book details that many intriguing actions that lead to a very fine ending. 

First, a squirrel makes it a part of her nest. The feather likes the feeling it gets from the quiet and serenity of this new home. With the heat from a rising sun, it becomes much too hot. Luckily a wind picks it from the nest and sends it on its way again. As the wind dies, it lands on a lady's hat alongside some beautiful peacock feathers. The lady is unimpressed, sending it on its way pretty quickly. 

From place to place, and one adventure to the next, the feather continues its wandering. At each stop, it expresses its feelings about where it lands, and the understanding that it has not yet found a permanent place to call home. A stroke of good luck puts it in the path of a young girl whose beach search for a third feather for her dreamcatcher is exactly the home it has been seeking. 

An author's note helps readers understand the cultural value of the dreamcatcher. August Swinson's artwork is full of motion and meaning as the feather floats from place to place. This book provides a lasting memory for finding a home that is just right. 

We All Love: kisakihitonaw, written and illustrated by Julie Flett. Greystone Kids, 2026. $23.95 ages 2 and up

"To be nestled with you, 
under the sea, 
I'll protect you, 
and you'll protect me."

Julie Flett's dedication is both heartfelt and inspiring for those who hear its quiet words:

One night when my son was around five years old and
I was putting him to bed, I told him about my great 
love for him. He became concerned for a moment and 
asked, "But do you love all the children?" He thought 
that would only be fair. I did and do, beyond measure. 
I told him this, and we both sighed a sigh of relief.

It could not be more important for you to know that 
you are loved. This book is dedicated to you.

A baby bear is asked if it is stuck in a tree. The illustration shows a bigger bear on its way to give aid. A little duckling is asked if it is lost in the sea, as a fish returns it to shore and its delighted family. A large turtle comes to the rescue of a smaller one lying upside down. The following scene in this first part of the book shows children showing the same love as the animals have shown each other.

That love is everywhere little readers look as the book is shared. Between parent and child, between the community and the earth, support is given from one to the other. The stunning artwork, done in pastel and pencil and then digitally completed, invites attention and comment for the beauty found on all of its pages. 

Just right for bedtime, or any other time of the day. Feeling the love that is spread throuoghout makes it a book that will be shared many times. It's a simple message, but perhaps most important is that simplicity. 

A glossary of Cree animal names is added, as well as a letter from Julie to the reader. So lovely!

Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson and illustrated by Maya McKibbin. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"The march ended in front of a big pile 
of things. Teddy bears. Flowers. Tobacco ties.

But mostly, there were little shoes. 

Some looked like they would fit him. 
Some looked too big. 
And some looked too small."

James is a thinker. If he wakes up in the night, his attention is taken by scientific learning. It seems the perfect time to follow the moonlight right into his mother's room and ask her the questions that he cannot answer for himself. Mom patiently answers his questions and relates what he has learned from his Kokom. 

""That we came to Earth from the stars," James said.
"That we came to Earth from a hole in the sky and 
brought the star blanket with us as a gift.""

His mother agrees and tells him that his home is with her. Then, they tuck in together and go right back to sleep. When he can't sleep the next evening, he thinks about the constellations and the Night Sky stories his kokom shares. Are there more? His mother reminds him there are as many stories as there are stars. Perhaps when he is a grandfather, he will know them all. 

On the next night, he and his kokom made a plan for a walk. This one is unlike their other walks; Kokom called this one a march. At the end of the march there is a big pile of things, and a lot of little shoes. Kokom says this memorial march led to shoes that honored the children who went to residential school and did not come home. It scared James to think about going away to school and not coming home to his mom. 

Waking later that evening, he returns to his mom's room and asks who cuddled Kokom and her sister when they were at the residential school if they were awake in the night. Luckily, she tells him they had each other. It is all he needed to know to go back to sleep, tucked up beside his mother.  

David Robertson does not sugarcoat the story about children being sent to residential schools and not coming home; he does, however, ensure that full descriptions of the time spent away from families is not explicit. He leaves those who share this story to answer questions asked by their young listeners in conversations that are appropriate for their understanding. Sensitive and written for a younger audience, this book is reassuring while also providing important information from our past history. 

The Trickster Shadow, written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"But she was wise and had heard of 
these things before. 

She pulled an old drum out of a chest. 
She dusted it off and began to sing. 
Her voice danced, filling the room like 
a warm light. The beating drum held 
their hearts steadfast."

Zoon has a problem that is unique to him; he is followed by a shadow at all times. This shadow is grey, has the shape of a very long dog, and causes untold diffiicullties for Zoon. While cleaning at home, the shadow creates chaos, leaving Zoon's mother to wonder how he can be so messy. At school, it disturbs the other children while Zoon is blamed. Playing soccer with his friends, the shadow trips him and his friends laugh. 

Zoon visits Nookomis with his worries. His grandmother cannot see the shadow, but she listens and does her best to help. She offers the drum that once belonged to his Mishoomis. They call it a 'dewe'igan, the sound of the heart'. Zoon's attention to the drum is matched by his shadow's interest in it. Zoon shows anger for the shadow's intrusion. Using the beat of the drum, he stops quickly, faces the equally angry shadow that grows bigger and angrier until Zoom can no longer see it. 

"All he could hear was his heart beating loudly inside 
his chest. 
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. 
With the drum in hand, he began to play. 

BAH-DUM 

           BAH-DUM 

                            BAH-DUM

His heart slowed, beating in rhythm to the drum."

Once his song ends, he feels the power of a new spirit and knows he holds the love of his ancestors within himself. No longer does he need fear his shadow; rather, it becomes a happy playmate. 

The digitally created graphic artwork is stunning and sure to capture attention as the book is shared. Many Anishinaabe designs are important to the story's adventurous development. In backmatter, the author, who is Anishinaabe, relates the role that tricksters play in a culture, and shares his own experience with darkness that he could not overcome at the time. He explains the importance of listening to one's own heart to help with healing, whatever that may be. Mr. Pawis-Steckley's note is followed by a glossary of terms used in his story. 
                                                                               

The First Christmas Tree: An Innu Tale. Written by Ovila Fontaine and illustrated by Charlotte Parent. Translated by Ann Marie Boulanger. Orca, 2025. $24.95 ages 4 and up

"The Great Manitou stopped in front of the 
fir tree. He asked, "Would you like to become a
Christmas tree for the Innu people?" 

Without hesitation, the fir tree replied. "Yes!
I want to be a Christmas tree. My needles and 
sap are already used for medicine. Now I want 
to bring joy to the children by letting them 
decorate me."

The Great Manitou, in one of his many forms, flies above the Innu during an unbearably cold winter. He knows they are struggling, and makes the decision to gift them a Christmas tree to bring a brightness to their winter season. It is in the forest he will find that tree. Beginning his careful search for the perfect tree, he is first impressed with the birch for its very useful properties. When asked if it would like to become a Christmas tree, the birch tree thinks first of itself and how much better it is than all other trees. It rejects the offer. The search moves on. A fir tree in the distance catches his eye, but not his interest. 

The larch tree's wood is hard and used by the Innu for bows and sleds. The larch tree is not interested. At the next fir tree, he takes note of its sticky branches and the sap dipping from its trunk. He again passes it by. The black spruce is appealing for its height and the moss it provides for passing caribou. Its logs warm tents with glowing heat. The larch only wants to grow larger; it has no interest in becoming a Christmas tree. Undeterred, the Great Manitou moves on again. Only then does he realize that he has come to the end of the trees to be asked. Wait! What about the fir tree? The first fir tree is delighted to accept the invitation. 

The Great Manitou is so pleased, he offers a gift of thanks. 

""Your fragrance will be the most highly prized among all the trees. Your perfume will fill the tents of the Innu and cure them of their ills. Go! Settle among the Innu.""

The Great Manitou returns to each of the trees that refused his offer, punishing them with losing their leaves in the fall and assuring that the black spruce will only exist in the far north. Once done, he returns to a clan mother and her family where food is provided for them and the first Innu Christmas is celebrated. 

Attractive, colorful artwork is much appreciated while sharing this Innu legend; young listeners will revel in the many shapes taken by the Great Manitou, always evident because of their bright pink color. Destined to be read numerous times for its appeal and excellent storytelling.                                                                                    

Maggie Lou Meets Her Match, written by Arnolda Dufour Bowes and illustrated by Karlene Harvey. Groundwood, 2025. $14.99 ages 9 and up

 

"I flip the reins over Win'cis's head and jump on
his back. We gallop around the pine tree, and I 
lead him back to Mikey. Kicking my leg over, I 
dismount with such precision that I even surprise
myself. 
It's been a long, painful couple of weeks riding this 
stubborn little horse, and I'm excited that I figured 
a few things out." 

It was a real pleasure to revisit Maggie Lou and her proud and happy Metis family in this book. As in the first book, Maggie Lou, Firefox, there are three stories here. Uncle Bobby has met Bonnie; a woman Maggie Lou loves. She does, however, find it much more difficult to warm up to Rosie, Bonnie's daughter. The two have little in common except their need to fight and bicker about almost everything. Kohkom is not impressed and relates a story about identical twin sister stars, Piyak and Niso. The two sisters were always at odds, until they realized if they worked together rather than against each other, they could be better and burn brighter. It is a lesson Maggie Lou and Rosie take to heart. 

In the second part of the book, Maggie Lou is able to admit that she would like to be more like Rosie who is a skilled rider and rodeo contender. It takes time, patience, and a lot of new learning for Maggie Lou to realize she and Rosie can never be the same. Still, she is willing to do what it takes to be better than she was when they met. She also some endures very embarrassing and difficult moments to get there. In the end, she allows that she will never be as good as Rosie is; she still can make her mark. 

Finally, Maggie learns something about her family she did not previously know. They were once champions in the Otipim'sowak Race. That Metis Day race was ten kilometres with six people taking part. Wanting to follow in their footsteps, Maggie enters the junior division with Rosie on her team. The training is intense, not without complications. Eventually, family comes first and the team learns they can do anything they put their minds to, as long as they are doing it together. 

 Fans of the first book will be happy to visit this funny, happy, skilled family again. They are supportive of one another, using humor and memories to keep the action moving forward. Their adventures are quite epic and provide for a most enjoyable read. Chapter-break illustrations add to the fun.  

Bud Finds Her Gift, written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and illustrated by Naoko Stoop. Allida, Harper. 2025, $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Raising her arms in the new light, Nokomis said: 
"Good morning, Morning. Thank you for the gift 
of this day. Thank you, birds and trees and dew 
and flowers. Thank you for all the gifts we are given.

Bud watched and waited. Then she asked, 
"Will we do the important thing soon?"

Nokomis laughed. "This is the important thing, 
taking time for noticing and saying thank you 
for the gifts of the Earth.""

Bud has a special talent for taking notice of the world around her. Outside, inside, and everywhere she goes she notices that people have important things to do. She feels left out. A visit to her Nokomis gives her a chance to talk with her grandmother about what she is feeling. Nokomis offers advice for doing something meaningful the very next day. 

Anticipation grows as the two set forth in the morning. At the top of the hill, they stand beside a very tall tree. Nokomis raises her arms and offers thanks for all the gifts given: for the day, the birds, the bees, the trees and flowers. Bud is left wondering when they will get to the 'something important'. Nokomis explains that taking time and saying thank you to the earth is it. Bud misunderstands the word 'gifts'. 

Nokomis then explains to her granddaughter that the many gifts from nature are worthy of notice. She tells Bud that the more she takes notice of such things, the more she will appreciate what is there. She encourages Bud to start practicing every day to see what will happen. As Bud uses her senses to take careful note of what is happening around her, life takes on new meaning. She watches in awe of a robin building a nest, and understands that as she helps care for the bird, the robin provides the gift of song to her. Nature is full of one thing happening to make something else possible. By taking the time to watch carefully, Bud's awareness of that interaction grows exponentially. 

"Everyone played a part, giving gifts to one another all the time, 
each gift leading to the next. 
The more Bud noticed, the more thankful she became."

Would it be enough? 

The cozy warmth that exists between Bud and her Nokomis, and within her natural surroundings, is expertly shown in Ms. Stoop's detailed and appealing art. Back matter includes a note from the author, ideas for gifting, and additional resources for further learning. 

Rez Kid, written by Andrea Landry and illustrated by Isabella Fassler. Kids Can Press, 2025. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"The air feels cooler now. I look at our garden, 
which I helped plant after the last snow melted. 
We pull out carrots, potatoes, and beets. I smell
the earth as I dig. It smells like home. 
I tell my story once more. 
"Why don't you share our harvest? Show them 
how to be generous." 
"I'll come up with my own idea!""

The girl who narrates this story of Indigenous culture is often taunted on her school bus ride home. They call her Rez Kid, and it hurts. It makes her long for being home at the end of each school day. As the bus crosses the railroad tracks, she is finally back on the rez. 

She shares her sorrow and tears with her mom as she beads at the family table. Mom wonders if the girl might make some beaded flowers for the kids at school to show them kindness. The girl wants to think of something to do on her own. Next she visits her Nohkom. Together, they set out to collect medicine from the fields nearby. Nohkom suggests taking some of the medicines they have collected to teach her classmates about them.  Once again, the child wants to figure it out on her own. 

The same thing happens when she stops to see her Moshum. As they ride their horses to the creek, he suggests that she show them the confidence she feels. It's still not quite right. After tea, she and her aunty go out to harvest some garden vegetables. Could she share their harvest? Not yet ready to let someone else deal with her problem, the girl makes her way back home. As she sleeps, she remembers her moshum advising her to find a soft part in each of the school kids. 

In the morning, she uses all the advice given by those who love her and shares life on the rez with the kids on the bus. She invites to come home with her on Friday. 

"I show them the home of my ancestors. 

The home of my family. 

I show them the beads, 
the medicines, 

the horses, 

the vegetables from my aunty's garden. 
My home."

The traditional ways of reserve life for Indigenous people are celebrated by the young narrator and has learning and kindness at its heart. The girl's pride and confidence allow for her to offer the invitation that she knows will help her school friends understand what is so special about her home. Ms. Fassler's exceptional artwork highlights the natural surroundings and cutural traditions in bold colors that also enhance the learning. 

                                                                                

My Street Remembers, written by Karen Krossing and illustrated by Cathie Jamieson. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"1600s

My street remembers
the hard-heeled boots
of the Europeans 
who arrived later, 

how they dreamed of routes
to faraway lands, 
traded and traveled, 
and brought wagon-loads 
of settlers in their wake."

The Better Paths series from Groundwood Books is meant to 'explore our relationship and reconciliation with the natural world'. This new addition looks at one city street in Toronto, and provides its history that begins over 14,000 years ago when mammoths and mastodons wandered its ice-covered land. Moving forward the author shows the changes it endures through thousands of years. 

Each change offers comment on the way this same street has progressed; from the caribou and bison that encouraged hunting by the First Peoples, who then settled the land, building homes and communities. Acrylic illustrations show clearly (without text) the advances made by these Indigenous peoples in terms of the use of the land and nature's benefits. The images invite careful consideration of development over time. 

"It remembers how their descendants 
stepped in harmony with this land
for thousands of years." 

The arrival of Europeans with their dreams of growing territories and shared use of the land brought big change. Their unfulfilled promises led to conflict and suffering and the growth of settlements on lands that once were home to First Nations. In 1851, the street is named Danforth Avenue and it becomes home for more and more people. Apologies for past transgressions are offered, while people who now live there have no knowledge of those who came before them. The street remembers. 

A final question to readers is presnted for consideration: What does your street remember? 

A timeline offers a brief history of the street. Both illustrator and author provide notes cocerning their work, and a list of sources and ideas for learning more is provided.  

Benjamin Grows a Garden, written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette. Kids Can Press. 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Benjamin watched the tiny shoots poke out of 
the ground and slowly unfurl their leaves. The 
stalks grew higher and he could almost taste 
the buttery corn on the cob he'd eaten with his
cousins after last year's harvest."

As Benjamin welcomes the warmth of the spring sun, he listens for the birds and sings back to them. The feeders encourage birds to stop and stay. Spring also offers a time for he and his mother to plant their garden. It's a garden that will not only feed his family; its bounty will be offered to others in their community. Benjamin is excited to get started. 

Every seed they plant will grow into vegetables to be used for soup, stews, pies and salads. It's a very busy time. There is hard work ahead, but both are willing to do what is needed to grow a garden to be proud of. As they plant, his mother offers wise advice. Once the seeds are planted, they take the time to water, then watch and wait. 

First, they plant corn. When it grows to a few inches, Benjamin digs around the corn stalks to plant bean seeds. As the beans get started, he carefully sows squash seeds close by. As he plants them, Benjamin is reminded of how good each vegetable from last year's garden tasted when they were harvested. The plants need water and the sun for growth. 

""The beans use the corn to climb," he said. 
"And the squash leaves cover the ground to 
keep it cool and damp. They all help each 
other grow.""

They also tend tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries; all will be shared with others. Those vegetables will make many meals throughout fall and winter. Soon, spring will come again and it will be time to start over once again. 

Melanie Florence makes is clear to her readers that there are many rewards when a garden is planted, tended, and shared with others. I love that they learn the traditional way of planting the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash) together for maximum benefit. As they talk together while they work, mother and son use Cree words, which are included in a pronunciation guide following the story. 

If you read Benjamin's Thunderstorm, you will recognize the bold colors and outdoor setting in the digital artwork of Hawlii Pichette. This book offers a warm look at the connection between Indigenous culture and nature, and the gift of providing for all. 

Chooch Helped, written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Levine Querido, Raincoast. 2024. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Chooch isn't really a baby, anymore. 
We just celebrated his second birthday.  

Still, whenever Chooch makes a mess, 
everyone says, 
"He's just usdi. Let him help."

It seems to me, Usdi Chooch
just gets away with everything."

Chooch, at 2, is a helper. No matter the work, Chooch is right there with plans to make a difference. His sister Sissy is not impressed. She sees the help Chooch gives as detrimental to the work being done. Adding streaks to Elisi's mural makes a mess. Interrupting Edudu's guitar playing annoys Sissy. Family members dote on the baby and give him a wide berth while interrupting the work they are doing. With each hint of misbehavior, Sissy is not amused. 

Chooch helps her make a clay pot, and messes it up. Sissy yells, Chooch cries, her parents reprimand, and Sissy goes off to cry in her bedroom. Chooch helps, with a smile and a loving touch to her wet cheeks. The family settles. Her parents apologize for their anger, and offer proof that once Sissy was very much like her little brother - anxious to help. They explain that Sissy is an important teacher for Chooch. With needed help from his big sister, Chooch is able to fashion his own clay pot. Lovely! 

Cherokee traditions are at the heart of every facet of this story. Pronunciation is useful when reading new and unfamiliar words for the story's people. Notes from both author and illustrator, who are members of the Cherokee nation, make the connections between the story and their cultural heritage. The tale's lesson is expertly offered for readers, and the mixed media illustrations add context at every turn. The warm colors and representative Cherokee emblems add beauty to every spread. I love the dust cover, its brilliant introduction to the two main characters, and the designs that embellish the cover itself. Back matter is important and telling: notes from author and artist concerning Cherokee history, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, and a step-by-step guide for making a pinch pot. 
                                                                                         

Our Ancestors' Kitchen, written by Willie Poll and illustrated by Shaikara David. Annick Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 6 and up

 

"In the minoomin, I can see our ancestors out 
on the water. Our relations look happy, strong,
and well fed. 

The wild rice is healthy too - 
I can see it so clearly in abundance, 
a time when it grew row after row. 

It makes me hopeful that the minoomin 
will be strong again one day."

Working with her grandmother to help make her grandfather's favorite foods, the young narrator reminds readers that memories are taught through meals eaten. The kitchen is a wonderful place to begin with minoomin (wild rice). It goes in the water, and the steam that rises shows the setting change to a time past when her ancestors harvested it in abundance. 

Returning her attention to the present, she smells the moose meat she and her grandfather brought home to be shared with their community. Grandma is ready to make candy with maple syrup (zhiiwaagamizigan), also collected with Grandpa in the winter. Yum! It is a favorite. Next up for cooking are the sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) which were harvested and stored through the winter. In her language the sunchokes are called "ashkibwaa". Grandma is very proud of her granddaughter learning their language.

Blueberries are last and remind the little one of so many aunties gathering them into large baskets. She enjoys her first taste. The table is prepared for the family, and a plate is offered to their ancestors. 

"We laugh, we eat, and we share 
our stories. Our ancestors will 
say goodbye and drift back to 
the spirit world. 

This used to make me sad, 
but I know I can visit them 
through the stories in our food."

Shaikara David’s appealing artwork takes the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and then back again. An author’s note on traditional harvesting practices is appended with a recipe for Nuwish; soapberry ice cream.                                                                                         

Nibi Nigomon: Nibi's Water Song, written by Sunshine Quem Tenasco and illustrated by Chief Lady Bird.Translated by Tina Nottaway. Scholastic, 2025. $8.99 ages 5 and up

"No problem. Thirsty, thirsty Nibi went back 
to the house with the green roof and knocked 
and knocked and knocked ... and knocked some
more. Nobody opened the door this time. 

Kan-nigotisanon. Nibi pagonadim, kigiye koki
migwam kak ka osawanik ogidabik. Ki papowage ...
kawin awik ogi cebadosin."

Do you remember the last time you had no water to drink following a water shutoff? I surely do. Until that happens, we tend not to think much about our dependence on water for daily living. Can you just go the kitchen tap and get a glass of water anytime you feel thirsty? I suspect that your answer is an affirmative one. 

That is not the case for Nibi and her community. When Nibi comes inside for a drink of water to quench her thirst, she is distressed to learn there is no clean water. There is no clean water next door, or down by the river. Everywhere she looks, the water is brown and undrinkable. Perhaps there will be clear, clean water in the next town. Knocking on the door of a big, shiny house, she asks for water. The lady living there offers a bottle and sends Nibi away. 

That water is soon gone; Nibi returns to the same house for more. This time there is no answer to her knocking. The same happens at every house she visits in town. So, Nibi makes a sign that says Water Is Life. She holds it aloft as she dances and begs for the water she needs. Her friends at home want to help. They dance for water with her; some of the townspeople come outside in support of Nibi's need. By working together, attention is finally given to the plight of those who don't have clean water to drink, proving one small voice can bring change when heard. Bravo, Nibi. 

Originally published in 2019, this book is being re-released as a dual language publication. Six years later, it would be wonderful to think that Nibi's song was the beginning of changes for many communities that still have no clean water. Chief Lady Bird has created colorful, appealing illustrations to help young readers with understanding the dilemma shared here. Nibi's story offers a chance for discussion and understanding about a lack of water in Indigenous communities. 

Notes from the author, illustrator, and translator are placed before the book's text. A Let's Talk about Clean Water brings the book to a close. 

"This needs to change. You can be part of the solution. 
If you think everyone should have clean tap water, tell 
your friends, tell your family, tell your teachers - tell 
everyone, just like Nibi."