Something I’ve loved the last number of years is the increase of diverse children’s books. While finding books about musicians still proves difficult, there are so many more books about different cultures. Here are some books featuring various Native American cultures.
(Full disclosure: some affiliate links. I get a small kickback and it won’t change your price. No pressure!)
The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist
Author: Deidre Havrelock
Illustrator Aphelandra
ISBN: 978-1419756689
Buy the book on Amazon
This is about Carol Powder, a Cree drummer and activist who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group led by women and children. One of the few books about an Indigenous musician, this one is a MUST.
Dance Fast
Author, Illustrator: A.R. Cribbins
ISBN: 978-0316539388
Buy the book on Amazon
This book about Bizzy preparing her regalia for summer gathering and the problems she runs into. She finds out that things don’t need to be perfect to be wonderful..
Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina
Author: Maria Tallchief, Rosemary Wells
Illustrator: Gary Kelley
ISBN: 978-0142300183
Buy the book on Amazon
According to Osage tradition, women were not permitted to dance but Maria’s parents recognized her gifts and allowed her to break tradition. This biography is about America’s first major prima ballerina and member of the Osage tradition.
On Powwow Day
Author: Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 978-1580899482
Buy the book on Amazon.
This is about River who cannot dance in this year’s powwow because of a serious illness. This book follows her from filling isolated to learning the healing power of community.
The First Flute: Whowhoahyahzo Tohkohya
Author: David Bouchard
Illustrator: Don Oelze
Music: Jan Michael Reibach
ISBN: 978-0889954755
Buy the book on Amazon
This book comes with a 3 track CD with the story told in English, French, and Dakota and accompanied by flute. This book is so well done and a wonderful way to introduce the Native American flute. The text of the book is in English and Dakota.
Bowwow Powwow
Author: Brenda J. Child,
Translator: Gordon Jourdain
Illustrator: Jonathan Thunder
ISBN: 978-1681340777
Buy the book on Amazon
After attending a powwow with her uncle, Windy Girl dreams of a powwow where all the dancers, visitors, drummers and veterans are dogs. Bilingual book in Ojibwe and English
Northwoods Cradle Song
Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Lisa Desimini
ISBN: 978-0689805035
Note: The author here is NOT Native or have Indigenous heritage. However, in an author’s note there is a credit to the source they learned from. This is knowledge you should know and make the choice if you want to include in your classroom. I have not included a link to purchase as I have not decided if this book is right for me yet. I am waiting on a copy that I may return when I read the author’s note.
I hope this has given you a few ideas.
