Recent census data that shows that the demographics of the US population consists of 37% people of color– yet only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. The reasons to share multicultural literature with our kids are endless. Founders of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day, Mia and Valarie are on a mission to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these types of books into classrooms and libraries. Another goal of this exciting event is create a compilation of books and favorite reads that will provide not only a new reading list for the winter, but also a way to expose brilliant books to families, teachers, and libraries. 60+ bloggers are joining together to share multicultural books from around the world: here are the 4 lovely American Indian books I reviewed featuring American Indian culture.
4 Multicultural Children’s American Indian Books
Wisdom Tales Press is one of the gracious sponsors of this event on multicultural children’s books. They are a children’s book imprint of World Wisdom, and aim to sharing the wisdom and beauty of cultures around the world with young readers and their families- especially American Indian books. In fact, all royalties from their books on the American Indians are donated to various native charities that include: The Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian, The American Indian College Fund, the purchase of books for schools on reservations, and the direct support of sacred tribal ceremonies.
These selected American Indian books make history and culture come alive- the stories are unforgettable, and contain such detail that you will learn more at each subsequent reading. Wisdom Tales has a tremendous selection of resources for teachers, and activities for children, and I have linked up below lessons and activities for each book of the 4 books we read:
The first book we read was The Otter, the Spotted Frog & the Great Flood: A Creek Indian Story
Don’t miss the Classroom Discussion Guide, the Otter coloring page, and the trailer:
The next of the American Indian books that we reviewed was the award-winning book The Man Who Dreamed of Elk Dogs: & Other Stories from Tipi by the talented Paul Goble. This anthology of 23 traditional stories from the Plains Indians is an excellent reference book for teachers who use literature in history and social studies to demonstrate authentic, cultural stories and mythology. In this one book, we can read transcribed oral stories from the Blackfoot, Lakota, Assiniboin, Pawnee, Winnebago, Omaha, Hidatsa, and Cheyenne nations about themes such as how elk-dogs (horses) came to the Plains, and the search for buffalo. The true lesson for our children is the subtle values of sustainability and how interconnected we are with Mother Nature. Make a tipi from these printables (here and here), and view a map of the tribes of the Plains here.
In line with fictional stories of The Man Who Dreamed of Elk Dogs, the next book would be the perfect companion to offer a look at how American Indian children on the Plains lived, learned, and played. Children of the Tipi: Life in the Buffalo Days
Don’t miss the discussion guide from the publisher.
The last of these American Indian books is Custer’s Last Battle: Red Hawk’s Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Don’t miss the great discussion questions offered by the publisher.
Would you like to see more titles of great Multicultural Children’s Books? Celebrating Diversity in #KidLit
Multicultural Children’s Book Day: January 27, 2014
Mission: To raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, and to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.
Co-creators: Mia Wenjen is the mom to 3 who blogs excessively about children’s and YA books on Pragmatic Mom (one of my absolute favorite web sites!). Valarie Budayr is also the mom to 3, writes Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press and shares their book-loving moments and adventures, incorporating them into their everyday lives through play, crafting, cooking, movies, games, traveling, and author visits.
Incredible Sponsors: Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books, Chronicle Books, and Susan Daniel Fayad: Author of My Grandfather’s Masbaha.
60+ wonderful bloggers enthusiastically agreed to review and promote multicultural children’s books for this special event. See all of their reviews curated on the Multicultural Children’s Book Day pinterest board.
It was great to get a spotlight on these books. I remember Paul Goble form my childhood, so it is especially great that he continues to educate and inspire! #alwaysbdancing http://www.pinterest.com/evalorca/
Thank you so much Becky for your wonderful review of four incredible books about Native Americans. I’m so glad you’re joining us for Multicultural Children’s Book Day as well. Happy Reading !!
Hi! I’d love to read all these books, the stories seem interesting and the drawings are just excellent. I wonder if they have been translated into Spanish, I’d love to translate them! Best regards from Barcelona,
Marta
These look like some great books!! I love Native American books. I’ll have to check these out.
These look fantastic. I love learning history from picture books and you have a great list here about Native Americans. Happy #MCKLitDay!
~Cool Mom
for The Stanley & Katrina Gang
What a lovely list of books, and definitely worth reading and exploring more. Thank you!
Great idea and article! I know growing up white in a mostly white area, my parents made sure I read books with a diversity of American characters because books are a main way we learn about the world. Wish there was more diversity in children’s literature out there though. I love the list!
I love historical fiction and am so happy you are reviewing books for all age groups about Native Americans. I have been fascinated with Native Americans since a child, so I’d enjoy all of your selections. Will check them out.
Thank you so much for your wonderful post Becky! We feel so honored to have you joining us!
These are all new books to me Becky!! Thank you so much for sharing. I want to add them all to our library.