Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Native Americans have a rich tradition of storytelling within their tribes, families, and communities. Stories can expand our knowledge and perspective of different lifestyles while helping to develop imagination, support emotional learning, and broaden listening skills.

Visual Storytelling

Storytelling comes alive through visual elements with these stories perfect for children ages 4 to 8. Cozy up with a friend, sibling, or parent, and click to immerse yourself in another world.

• The Turtle Story: A Native American Account of Earthquakes with Ms. Jacque
• Discover How to Be Strong (a Native American folktale)
• The First Fire by Robert Lewis, a Cherokee storyteller
• Leelinau - A Fairy Girl (a story from the Chippewa tribe)

Picture Books

Our Education Team has also selected a few picture books to share different layers of Native American culture and language. These stories include lighthearted reflections of families, joy, and gratitude. Flip through the pages or listen to the read-aloud link provided.

• My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, ages 0-2 ( Read Aloud)
• Little You by Richard Van Camp, ages 0-3 ( Read Aloud)
• Big and Small with Northwest Coast Native Art by Ben Houstie, ages 0-3
• When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith, ages 3-5 ( Read Aloud)
• Wild Berries by Julie Flett, ages 2-8 ( Read Aloud)

What books would you add to the list? Support indigenous authors and illustrators by browsing the selection at your favorite community bookstore or asking questions at your local library.

When you find something you especially like or relate to, pass it on to keep the thread of generational storytelling going strong.