Affirming Native Children
November is Native American Heritage Month. Children’s literature focused on the Native Peoples of North America has been dominated by narratives focusing on Thanksgiving and fictionalized accounts of historical figures. For many children and their elders, these books do not reflect modern-day life or the values and diverse traditions of the many nations of the continent. The books featured this week have been selected to affirm the experiences of Native children, their families, and communities and highlight the artistry of Native writers and illustrators. They also provide children and adults from other communities with the opportunity to learn about these rich cultures.
Joyful Reading!
Berry Song
Written and Illustrated by Michaela Goade
2022 Caldecott Honor Book
Set in the Pacific Northwest, a Tlinget grandmother takes her granddaughter on a berry-picking adventure to a nearby island. Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade’s richly textured, detailed illustrations capture the simple majesty of the natural environment providing a great deal to explore within each full-page spread. As grandmother and granddaughter travel through the lush forest they sing a harvest song: “Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Soapberry, Strawberry, Crowberry,” alerting the berries and bears of their presence. An author’s note discusses Tlingit cultural principles mentioned in the story. The endpapers provide images of the berries presented in the book along with a gentle note to foragers about proper identification of wild foods.
Book Chat with the Illustrator featuring Michaela Goade on Berry Song
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Written by Kevin Noble Maillard, Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
2020 American Indian Youth Literature Honor
In his first children’s book, Kevin Noble Maillard explores the many ways in which fry bread (created out of necessity and scarcity) has shaped and created community. Each double page spread explores role that fry bread plays: food, shape, sound, color, flavor, time, art, history, place, nation, everything, us. Juana Martinez-Neal’s playful illustrations follow diverse elders, adults, and children as they come together to prepare and enjoy fry bread and participate in cultural traditions that bring family and community together. A rich and well-researched author note includes the author’s recipe for fry bread and connects the many roles of fry bread to the history of Native Peoples in what has become the United States. The endpapers list the 573 officially recognized (at the time of publication) nations. This book will surely educate all readers about the history of Native Peoples.
Publishers Weekly Q & A with Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal
Still This Love Goes On
Written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Illustrated by Julie Flett
2022 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book
2022 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book about Nature
The lyrics of Buffy-Sainte Marie’s song, Still This Love Goes On, serve as the text for this beautifully illustrated book that honors the rich traditions and connection to nature that are foundational in Cree communities. As a child explores the rich landscape, changing seasons, and family and community life, “love goes on and on and on.” Julie Flett’s warm illustrations invoke the sights, sounds, and smells described by the child providing a soothing backdrop to this simple, yet powerful tribute to the connections a child has to their community and heritage. Sheet music for the song is provided and notes from the Buffy Sainte-Marie and Julie Flett provide insights into the creation of the book and Cree traditions.
Beyond the Books
Explore the rich histories and traditions of Native Peoples through the Native directed documentary series Native America. This two season series (4 episodes each season) explores the unknown histories and contributions made by Native Peoples past and present. If you are inspired to do some cooking after reading Fry Bread, check out alter-native Kitchen, and Return: Reclaiming Food Ways for Health & Spirit to explore how Native People are reclaiming and reimagining their food cultures and cuisines.