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Picture Book Column: Honoring Indigenous Peoples

10/6/2020

1 Comment

 
Francesca Mellin is the Head Librarian at The Pike School in Andover

In these turbulent times, I find myself looking for silver linings and “small wins” wherever I can. I am encouraged by the increasing number of Native folks serving in Congress and the recent commitment by a professional football team to change an offensive team name. The number of books published by Native creators is on the rise, and recognition of problematic narratives is generating much-needed conversation. Just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 12, here is a selection of recent picture books that reflect a wide array of Native perspectives, identities, and activism.
Picture
Identity: 
​
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
by Kevin Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Specificity and universality blend magnificently in this exploration of Native pride and resilience.

Picture
Bowwow Powwow
​by Brenda Child, translation by Gordon Jourdain, illustrated by Jonathan Thunder. Luminous digital illustrations provide a vivid backdrop for Windy Girl’s dream of powwows past (with a canine twist). Text in English and Ojibwa

Picture
The Girl and the Wolf
by Katherena Vermette, illustrated by Julie Flett. 
A lost little girl (in a red dress) finds a wise and unexpected mentor in the form of a grey wolf. Inspired by traditional stories.

Picture
Sharing Our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast,
published by nativenorthwest.com. Written and illustrated by a collaboration of First Nations and Native artists from Pacific Northwest communities. 
Brief text, supported by bold illustrations, provides Native-focused information on a wide array of wildlife. A wonderful addition to non-fiction animal collections.

Picture
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
​by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac. 
Skilfully incorporating seasons, language, identity, history, and culture, Sorell and Lessac create an instant child-centered classic that celebrates gratitude and mindfulness.


Picture
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Story
by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes. An illustrated biography of a brave Marine’s key World War II mission that sensitively incorporates the history of Indian boarding schools

Picture
Equity and Justice:

We Are Water Protectors
by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade. A young Anishinaabi narrator describes the call to environmental action at Standing Rock. Aspects of Anishinaabe and Ojibwe culture are included in the stunning watercolor illustrations.



Picture
“Fall in Line, Holden!”
by Daniel W. Vandever. 
Rhyming text and bold, simple illustrations about conformity and resistance can be enjoyed and discussed on several levels.


Picture
The People Shall Continue (40th anniversary edition) by Simon J. Ortiz, illustrated by Sharol Graves. Originally published in 1977, this illustrated non-fiction text provides a necessary perspective on United States history.

1 Comment
Barbara Gogan
10/6/2020 10:22:56 am

Thanks!
I had most but not a couple of them--which I just aded to my To Order list.

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    Co-Editors
    Reba Tierney and
    ​Luke Steere

    Reba is the School Librarian at Waltham High School; Luke is School Librarian at  Wilson Middle in Natick

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