Reading Log

Trisha Waldbauer

March 15, 2017

Lynda Gellner

ELIB 216

Storybooks:-#2 What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses (1998)-#3 The Aboriginal Alphabet For Children (2001)-#4 P’ѐsk’a and the First Salmon Ceremony (2015)-#5 Shin-Chi’s Canoe (2008) -#7 When I was Eight (2013)-#6 ABC’s of Our Spiritual Connection-#9 Not My Girl (2014)-#10 Just a Walk (2010)-#11 Goose Girl (2007)-#12 Dipnetting with Dad (2014)-#13 Discover Words (2013)-#15 The Girl Who Lived with the Bears (1997)-#16 Fishing with Grandma (2015)-#17 Watch Your Step (2006) -#18 Changes (2000)-#19 My Family (2001)-#20 Raven and the Loon (2013)-#21 Peace Dancer (2016)-#22 The Mѐtis Alphabet Book (2005)-#23 Zoe and the Fawn (2006)-#25 The Messenger of Spring (1997)-#26 A is for Aboriginal (2013)-#27 The Song Within My Heart (2002)-#28 We Are All Treaty People (2014)-#29 The Handshake and the Pipe (2015)-#30 The Friendship (2015)-#31 My Heart Fills With Happiness (2016)-#32 The Jingle Dancer-#33 Two Pairs of Shoes (1990)-#34 Fancy Dance (2002)-#35 The Medicine Wheel: Stories of a Hoop Dancer (2014)-#36 Ancient Thunder (2006)-#37 Raven and the Box (2016)-#38 Raven and Frog Count (2016)-#39 Raven and Duck (2016)-#40 Raven Sings the ABC’s (2016)-#41 Raven Makes a Necklace (2016)-#42 I Spy Raven (2016)

Transitional Books:-#1 The Giving Tree (2009)-#24 The Diamond Willow Walking Stick (2012)

Novels:-#8 Fatty Legs (2010) -#14 As Long as the Rivers Flow (2003)

Canadian Books:-#1 The Giving Tree (2009)-#3 The Aboriginal Alphabet For Children (2001)-#5 Shin-Chi’s Canoe (2008) -#7 When I was Eight (2013)-#8 Fatty Legs (2010)-#9 Not My Girl (2014)-#12 Dipnetting with Dad (2014)-#13 Discovering Words (2013)-#16 Fishing with Grandma (2015)-#17 Watch Your Step (2006)-#18 Changes (2000)-#19 My Family (2001)-#20 Peace Dancer (2016)-#24 The Diamond Willow Walking Stick (2012) -#22 The Mѐtis Alphabet Book (2005)-#21 Raven and the Loon (2013)-#23 Zoe and the Fawn (2006)-#25 The Messenger of Spring (1997) -#26 A is for Aboriginal (2013)-#27 The Song Within My Heart (2002)-#28 We Are All Treaty People (2014)-#29 The Handshake and the Pipe (2015)-#30 The Friendship (2015)-#33 Two Pairs of Shoes (1990)-#34 Fancy Dance (2002)-#36 Ancient Thunder (2006)-#37 Raven and the Box (2016)-#38 Raven and Frog Count (2016)-#39 Raven and Duck (2016)-#40 Raven Sings the ABC’s (2016)-#41 Raven Makes a Necklace (2016)-#42 I Spy Raven (2016)

Awards:-#5 Shin-Chi’s Canoe (2008): Winner of the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and finalist for the Governor General's Award: Children's Illustration

-#7 When I was Eight (2013): Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize finalist

-#8 Fatty Legs (2010): First Nations Community Read, The Globe and Mail Best Children’s Books of the Year

-#11 Goose Girl (2007): Winner of the 2009 McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award for Young People

-#23 Zoe and the Fawn (2006): Winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

1. The Giving Tree (2009)

Illustrator: Leah DorionAuthor: Leah DorionMichif Translator: Norman Fluery Publisher: Gabriel DumontSuitability: K-4 read aloud, 5-7 independent readCopyright: Lead DorionLocation: SaskatoonInteresting Features: This book comes with a narrative CD that can be played for students in class. The illustrations are mesmerizing, beautiful and unique.

This book is rich in Mѐtis culture, focusing on the childhood reminisces of a boy as he describes finding the great giving tree with his parents. It highlights the values and beliefs of the Mѐtis culture (courage, strength, kindness, honesty, respect, love, connectedness with Creator and Mother Earth) and allows students opportunities to connect. Illustrations are amazing and filled with color and depth which allows for a lot of engagement for students.

2. What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses (1998)

Illustrator: George LittlechildAuthor: Richard Van CampPublisher: Children’s Book PressSuitability: Grade 1-2 read aloud, grade 3-4 independent readCopyright: Scot RitchieLocation: Hong KongInteresting Features: The images in this book look as if they could have been painted by a child and the young readers can relate to their very bright, childlike qualities.

This story takes the reader on a journey to find out what the most beautiful thing about horses is by asking his friends, family and the artist (George Littlechild). He wants to know about horses because he only has dogs and he is a very curious little boy. The reader puts forward many different questions regarding horses that could be used as an inquiry project in the classroom. The book offers some Cree language to be explored and ends off asking the readers what the most beautiful thing about themselves is. This book shows that even seemingly ordinary things can be seen is many different ways.

3. The Aboriginal Alphabet for Children (2001)

Illustrator: J. Marleen Ross and Noah HeadAuthor: Evelyn BallantynePublisher: National Library of Canada CataloguingSuitability: K-2 read aloudCopyright: Evelyn BallantyneLocation: Canada

This book is a very fun and interactive book for young readers when discovering the alphabet. It include real artifacts of the culture and have an enriching experience for children. Each letter includes an upper

case letter, lower case letter, corresponding picture and explanation. Some examples include drum for the letter D, and umiak for the letter U.

4. P’ѐsk’a and the First Salmon Ceremony (2015)

Illustrator: Scot RitchieAuthor: Scot RitchieCover Art: Michael SolomonPublisher: Groundwood Books House of Anansi PressSuitability: K-2 Read Aloud, Copyright: Scot RitchieLocation: Malaysia Interesting Features: The images include vibrant, colorful pictures that have a magical quality to them that engages readers and makes them curious. There is an introductory letter from Chief William Charlie as well as an illustrated afterword and glossary.

This story starts off when a boy is exploring his community and comes across the history of the Sts’ailes people and wonders what it was like to live one thousand years ago and be a part of the First Salmon Ceremony. The book takes the readers on an enriched journey and in depth look into what took place during the ceremonial practise of the salmon rituals. P'ésk'a is the young boy is this book that tells us all about the importance of salmon and how the ceremony works. This book provides a lot of rich conversation to take place about rituals and cultural practices, including comparisons to present day and the past.

5. Shin-chi’s Canoe (2008)

Illustrator: Kim LaFave Author: Nicola I. CampbellPublisher: Groundwood BooksSuitability: Grade 1-3 read aloud, grade 4-6 independent read Copyright: Nicola I. CampbellLocation: Canada and the USAInteresting Features: Winner of the TD Canadian’s Literature Award

This story focuses on Shi-shi-etko and Shinchi’s experience at a residential school and how this impacted their lives. This showcases the impact of residential schools at a child’s level of understanding. It shows that their hair had to be cut off, they were not given enough food, they were not allowed to speak their native tongue, they could only use their English names and that Shinchi was not allowed to talk to his older sister. Shinchi finds peace at the river with his tiny cedar canoe that his father gave him and he dreams about the day that the salmon return to the river because this is an indicator that its almost time to return home. The book ends by their family picking them up and taking them home. The illustrations include neutral and dark colors to enhance the sadness of these events.

6. ABC’s of Our Spiritual Connection (2006)

Illustrator: Kim Soo Goodtrack

Author: Kim Soo GoodtrackPublisher: Wakanheja Holdings Ltd.Suitability: K-2 Copyright: Kim Soo GoodtrackInteresting Features: This book was featured on Sesame Street

This book is filled with Aboriginal images that correspond to the letters of the alphabet. The illustrations are so vibrant and unique that include a lot of rich cultural aspects for the readers. For example, the letter E represents the eagle and shows three different representations and includes various uses that the eagle brings. There are lower case and upper case versions of each letter and the illustrations use a wide range of colors to engage the reader.

7. When I was Eight (2013)

Illustrator: Gabrielle GrimardAuthor: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret Pokiak FentonPublisher: Annick Press Ltd. Suitability: Grade 1-3 read aloud, grade 4-5 independent readCopyright: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret Pokiak Fention (text), Gabrielle Grimard (illustrations)Location: Toronto, New York and Vancouver Interesting Features: Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and is a more related version for younger children of the Fatty Legs novel.

Olemaun is the main character in this story and she is very intelligent and knows the way of her people but she does not know how to read. Her father does not want her to leave the community to go off to the ‘outsider school’ but she ignored these warnings and experienced many heartbreaking setbacks while at this school. ‘Margaret’ learns the importance of standing up for herself against all odds and what true determination looks like. This story is inspiring and has a lot of very valuable lessons within it. The images are very bright and beautiful in the beginning when she is at home with her community and then face to neural, dreary tones when she is at the school getting her culture ripped away from her.

8. Fatty Legs (2010)

Illustrator: Liz Amini-Holmes Author: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret-Pokiak Fenton Publisher: Annick Press (USA) & Firefly Books (Ontario)Suitability: Grade 4-7Copyright: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret-Pokiak FentonInteresting Features: This book has real life photos from Margaret Pokiak-Fenton.

A young girl has dreamed of learning to read her whole life and when she gets offered an opportunity she takes it, even though this means leaving her community. She is thrilled and eager to learn despite her father’s warning of attending the residential school. Margaret was only eight years old when she left her family and community and entered her residential school journey. She soon realizes that determination and strong will is needed to overcome the ‘Raven’ that she faces in the school. This book is very relatable for young readers because of the obstacles that the main character faces (humility, isolation, learning something new, fear etc.)

9. Not my Girl (2014)

Illustrator: Gabrielle GrimardAuthor: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret Pokiak FentonPublisher: Firefly Books Ltd. (Canada) & Annick Press Ltd. (USA)Suitability: Grade 1-3 read aloud, grade 4-5 independent readCopyright: Christy-Jordan Fenton & Margaret Pokiak Fention (text), Gabrielle Grimard (illustrations)Location: Ontario, CN & Buffalo, NYInteresting Features: Based on a true story. Sequel to ‘When I was Eight’. Illustrations include very detailed facial expressions and colorful real life pictures which students can easily relate to.

Margaret is a young girl who has gone off to an ‘outsider’s school’ for two years and when she returns home, her mom does not recognize her. Margaret had forgotten her language, how to hunt and fish, she wasn’t able to eat the foods that were once her favorite and she wasn’t allowed to play with her best friend when she returned. Margaret takes us on her journey to re-learn her traditions and find her place within her community again.

10. Just a Walk (2010)

Illustrator: Christopher Auchter Author: Jordan WheelerPublisher: Theytus BooksSuitability: K-2 read aloud, grade 3-4 independent readCopyright: Jordan Wheeler

Chuck is a young boy that decides to go out for a nice walk in the beautiful nature which quickly turns into a day of exploring. Chuck assumes his explorer role as he encounters different animals, birds and fish. These animals end up transporting him through their environment as he explores. Chuck gets picked up by an eagle and dropped off in his backyard where his mother is wondering where he has been all day and his reply is that he was just out for a walk. This story has many dream-like qualities about it and students can really engage with the adventuring aspect and colorful images of nature.

11. Goose Girl (2007)

Illustrator: Rhian BrynjolsonAuthor: Joe McLennan & Matrine McLennanPublisher: Pemmican PublicationsSuitability: Grade 1-4Copyright: Pemmican Publications

This story is of the incredible tale where a girl connects with geese and builds a strong relationship with them. Marie speaks French and Cree but her wordless communications with a special goose are the grounds for many value lessons. Marie soon gets the name Niskaw for sharing the healings and teachings that she learnt from the special geese to her people. This story is great to use in the classroom to spark inspiration and connectedness within the classroom. The illustrations are very bright and the

water looks mesmerizing in the pictures showcasing the magical qualities of Marie’s relationship with the geese.

12. Dipnetting with dad (2014)

Illustrator: Kevin EasthopeAuthor: Willie SellarsPublisher: Caitlin PressSuitability: K-2 read aloud, 3-5 independent readCopyright: Willie SellarsLocation: BC, CanadaInteresting Features: the illustrations are action packed and make the story come to life with 3D like images.

This story is very colorful and packed with knowledge about the Secwepemc method of fishing that is known as dipnetting. The story takes the reader on adventures of Sweat Lodges, mending nets, selecting fishing spots, catching and packing fish through the bushes to their home and traditional preparation. Showcased in this book is family values, importance of storytelling, community living and coming of age. This book is very engaged for students because of the characters and how they are almost jumping off the page in order to tell their story.

13. Discovering Words (2013)

Illustrator: Neepin AugerAuthor: Neepin AugerPublisher: Rocky Mountain BooksSuitability: Pre-K - KindergartenCopyright: Neepin AugerLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: This book also contains Cree and French

This board book goes through the alphabet and is a very fun read for little ones learning the alphabet or EAL students trying to identify new objects. There is a picture accompanied by an English, Cree and French version of the word. The images are joined with a plain background, making the main picture stand out for easy recognition.

14. As Long as the Rivers Flow (2003)

Illustrator: Heather D. HolmlundAuthor: Oskiniko Larry Loyie & Connie BrissendenPublisher: Douglas & McIntyre Suitability: Grade 6-8Copyright: text: Oskiniko Larry Loyie & Brissenden, illustrations: Heather D. Holmlund

This moving story is about a boy who gets taken out of his home forcibly and has to attend a residential school. This story focuses on the characters last summer with his Cree tribe and he is focused on learning and adventure. He comes across an abandoned baby owl and cares for it as well as helps his

grandmother make moccasins. This novel captures the reader’s attention by this wonderful yet tragic story about a boy and his last summer with his family and the all of the emotions that he endures.

15. The Girl Who Lived with the Bears (1997)

Illustrator: Andrew Plewes Author: Barbara Diamond Goldin Publisher: Gulliver BooksSuitability: Grade 1-5Copyright: Barbara Diamond Goldin & Andrew Plewes Location: Singapore

The daughter of a chief sets out to collect berries with her friends and finds herself acting a bit spoiled and complaining about the bears and how their footprints are getting in her way. The girl does not see how valuable the bears are and soon gets greeted by two men that take her away. She learns that she has been taken by the bear people to be taught a lesson. She learns to respect the natural world and teaches this to her community and receives great prospects for hunting and fishing in return. There are many dimensions given to the images and the use of layered colors produce beautiful images for students to get lost in.

16. Fishing with Grandma (2015)

Illustrator: Charlene ChuaAuthor: Susan Avingaq & Maren VsetulaPublisher: Inhabit MediaSuitability: Grade 1-4Copyright: Media: Inhabit Media, Text: Susan Avingaq & Maren Vsetula, Pictures: Charlene ChuaLocation: Toronto, ONInteresting Features: At the back of the book there are pictures and descriptions of Inuit fishing tools and Inuktitut terms.

Jeela and her brother are going to their grandma’s house to visit for the day and while they are playing string games, the boy gets an idea to go jigging for fish. The story takes the reader through the preparation needed in order to go jigging and the materials that you will need. After they catch some fish, they deliver them to people that are not able to go to the lake and get fish for themselves. This light hearted book is great for engaging children in traditional practices and youthful fun. The cartoon like images also add the youthfulness of this book.

17. Watch Your Step (2006)

Illustrator: Bookmates Inc.Author: Bookmates Inc.Publisher: Art Bookbindery Suitability: Ages 0-4Copyright: Bookmates Inc. Location: CanadaInteresting Features: The words are accompanies by the Swampy Cree and Manitoba Ojibway/Saulteaux versions of the word.

This is a black and white book made for babies or readers just figuring out what animals are and how to put the alphabet together to form words. There are words of the animal, a silhouette of the animal along with their footprint. This book would be great for incorporating other languages at a young age.

18. Changes (2000)

Illustrator: Penny CondonAuthor: Penny CondonPublisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute Suitability: Pre-K-Grade 1Copyright: Gabriel Dumont InstituteLocation: Saskatoon. SK

This book is about a girl names Kona who experiences different emotions such as sad, angry, happy and surprised and with her emotions, the seasons change. Throughout the book she is talking to the Gathering Spirit to help her understand that her emotions change just like the seasons do. The images are very engaging with their bold lines and colors and a beautiful story is told through them that the children can relate to. Connecting emotions to the changing seasons gives children a foundation to make the book relatable to their lives.

19. My Family (2001)

Illustrator: Penny CondonAuthor: Penny CondonPublisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute Suitability: Pre-K-Grade 1Copyright: Gabriel Dumont InstituteLocation: Saskatoon. SKInteresting Features: There are peek-a-boo cut outs throughout the story hiding the family members. There is a glossary of the traditional words used and a definition as to what they are.

This is a very cute story about Kona and her family, it outlines who is all in her family including a grandfather, grandmother, mother, father, brother, sister, cat, aunties, uncles and cousins. The book shows us what each family member is doing to help out with the feast that they are having, what they are eating for supper and the family activities that take place after they are done eating. There are a lot of different connections to be made throughout this book and the same bold lines and colored pictures are engaging for children.

20. Raven and the Loon (2013)

Illustrator: Kim SmithAuthor: Rachel & Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley Publisher: Inhabit MediaSuitability: K-2 read aloudCopyright: Inhabit Media, text: Rachel & Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, illustrations: Kim SmithLocation: Toronto, ON

This story tells the tale of how the loon and raven got their colored feathers. Raven and Loon are bored of their white feathers and they took turns painting each other with black soot. Loon was patient and quiet and got a beautiful pattern painted, however Raven could not sit still and ended up having the whole soot bucket dropped on him resulting is all of his feathers being black. They has gotten into a fight and as a result, Raven’s feathers stayed black and Loon’s feet were smashed flat.

21. Peace Dancer (2016)

Illustrator: Roy Henry VickersAuthor: Roy Henry Vickers & Robert BuddPublisher: Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.Suitability: Copyright: illustrations: Roy Henry Vickers, text: Roy Henry Vickers and Robert BuddLocation: British ColumbiaInteresting Features:

The children of the Tsimshian village love to play the game of hunters and catch a raven with a trap they have set up and like the feathers so much that they pick them all out. The Chief of the Heavens does not like this mistreatment of the animals and brings on a terrible storm and does not let up on the rain, their village floods and they are forced to flee. The people of this village promise to change their ways and the storm stops. They return to their village and appoint a peace dancer to perform at their potlatches in order to pass on the story of the flood. The images in this book have an abstract quality to them and are very engaging to look at. The message of respect throughout this book is something that is very important to discuss with children.

22. The Mѐtis Alphabet Book (2005)

Illustrator: Sheldon MauvieuxAuthor: Joseph Jean FauchonPublisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute Suitability: Pre-K -2 Copyright: Joseph Jean Fauchon Location: Saskatoon Interesting Features: The softly colored illustrations almost look as if they were done with pencil crayons which is something that children can easily relate to.

This book is a very unique addition to the creative genre of alphabet books for children. It is full of rich Mѐtis culture that is very important for readers to engage with to broaden their understanding of the world.

23. Zoe and the Fawn (2006)

Illustrator: Julie FlettAuthor: Catherine JamesonPublisher: Theytus BooksSuitability: Pre-K – Grade 2Copyright: Catherine Jameson and illustrations: Julie FlettLocation: Canada

Interesting Features: There are Native Okanagan names for the animals throughout the book to share with the readers.

Zoe and her father are out for a walk to feed their horses when she notices that the fawn’s mother is not around. They go on a hunt to find the fawn’s mother and come across some other animals on their journey, trying to guess which one would be the mother. There are repetition among the phrases in this book that allows the reader to make predictions and follow along and produces a playful rhythm for the young listeners. The illustrations are very simple yet tell a beautiful story.

24. The Diamond Willow Walking Stick (2012)

Illustrator: Leah DorionAuthor: Leah Dorion Michif Translation: Norman FleuryPublisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute Suitability: K-2 read aloud, Grade 3-6 independent read Copyright: Leah DoriomLocation: SaskatoonInteresting Features: There is an auditory CD that is located at the back of the book to be used in the classroom and a chart on the Mѐtis uses for the willow tree.

It was a Mѐtis tradition for a grandchild to live with their grandparents and learn the tradition teachings of their people. One little boy was very blessed that he had his grandparents in his life every day and he received a great honor for being picked for this role of receiving the traditional teachings. These teachings focused on generosity and it was believed that if you did a good thing, four good things would come your way. He was able to understand how to live in a good Mѐtis way and he learned the importance of respect and humility. The special bond that exists between Mѐtis children and their grandparents is recognized throughout this book and it is something that the readers can connect with and it can be talked about that our special relationships with people look different for everyone. The artwork throughout this book is breathtaking and all of the words are in Michif translation for the readers. The illustrations include very bright colors and a lot of circles and other shapes to make up the pictures. There are no faces on the people which is very interesting technique because the reader can use their imagination to decide what the character’s face looks like. Readers that are both younger and older can relate and enjoy this story.

25. The Messenger of Spring (1997)

Illustrator: C.J TaylorAuthor: C.J Taylor Publisher: Tundra Books Suitability: K-2 read aloudCopyright: C.J TaylorLocation: Toronto, ONInteresting Features: The illustrations have so much depth that are sure to engage the reader and the colors used bring the pictures to life.

This is light-hearted tradition tale of the Chippewa and Ojibwa people tells the story about the transition from winter to spring. New Dawn goes to visit Iceman because he is growing weak and can no longer

make the ground freeze and winds howl like he used to. New Dawn began to dance and the rain came down and animals came out of hiding, Iceman was gone and he left an offering for New Dawn. Spring Beauty grew in the fire that was once burning and it was a source of food left for New Dawn. They say goodbye until they meet again and it is now spring time. This story can be easily incorporated into science teachings about weather which is a great cross-curricular traditional teachings.

26. A is for Aboriginal (2013)Illustrator: Brendan HeardAuthor: Joseph MacLeanPublisher: Sandhill Book MarketingSuitability: Pre-K -2 Copyright: Joseph MacLeanLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: At the bottom of each letter is a list of Indigenous peoples that correspond with the letter and they can be recited as a poem or song to remember them.

This non-fiction book is enriched with Aboriginal heritage and culture and it provides many interesting bits of history and tradition for the reader. The images are beautifully created with oil paints and digital medium.

27. The Song Within My Heart (2002)

Illustrator: Allen SappAuthor: David BouchardPublisher: Raincoast BooksSuitability: Copyright: text: David Bouchard, illustrations: Allen SappLocation: Vancouver, BCInteresting Features: The illustrations in this book are real paintings and they are very detailed abd brilliant. Each painting includes the name and size.

This story line is so beautiful in this book and I think that it is very important to share with readers of all ages. A young child is with his/her (this is up for interpretation) nokum and they are listening to drummers at a pow-wow . The child is growing frustrated because they cannot understand what is being said. The child keeps asking their nokum to answer but she is too busy in deep thought and pleasure from the sound of the drums. She tells the child that there are some things that you can call your own and they should not be things like toys or clothes but rather your stories, songs and beating heart. She also tells the child that the sound of the beating drum echoes your soul and to understand these songs, you must close your eyes and listen to the subtle things. The story is really putting forward the idea of staying true to yourself and listening to your own heartbeat will bring you joy.

28. We Are All Treaty People (2015)

Illustrator: Scott B. Henderson & Amber GreenAuthor: Betty LynxlegPublisher: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. Suitability: Grade 1-4 read aloud and independent read Copyright: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.

Location: Manitoba, CN

This a very educational, kid friend story about the treaties and how they came to be. It outlines the reason in which Canadians are all treaty people, how the treaties were signed, the places where treaties exist and the obligation that we have as treaty people. There are many different cultures represented in this book which is amazing to bring into the classroom for young readers.

29. The Handshake and the Pipe (2014)

Illustrator: Don Monkman & Amber GreenAuthor: Betty LynxlegPublisher: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. Suitability: Grade 1-4 read aloud and independent read Copyright: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.Location: Manitoba, CN

This book outlines the ‘old ways’ of living of First Nations peoples. It goes through the living in teepees, respecting the land, water and plans, how they offered tobacco as a symbol of thankfulness, their fishing and hunting practices, the traditional medicine practices, traditional celebrations and their trading practices with the pipe. This book focuses on the pipe ceremonies and how they were used as a sign of respect and agreement and they were used when forming treating. Neepin is learning to shake hands with the new people that she meets as part of her heritage to show respect. The illustrations are incredible and capture so many cultural importances such as dressings, their teepees, clothing and what the land looked like many years ago before integration.

30. The Friendship (2015)

Illustrator: Scott. B Henderson & Amber GreenAuthor: Betty LynxlegPublisher: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. Suitability: Grade 1-4 read aloud and independent read Copyright: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.Location: Manitoba, CNInteresting Features: There is a bannock recipe at the end of this book

The Friendship is all about the signing of treaties and how the newcomers and the First Nations people traded goods in order to help each other out. As more newcomers arrived, the First Nations people were beginning to see a change in their way of life and new that building relationships was very important. They came together and began to make treaties with one another and Neepin discovers that a treaty is a promise between two people or nations

31. My Heart Fills With Happiness (2016)

Illustrator: Julie FlettAuthor: Monique Gray SmithPublisher: Orca Book Publishers Suitability: Pre-K- Grade 2Copyright: text: Monique Gray Smith, illustrations: Julie Flett

Location: United States of America

This story takes the reader on a journey of everything that fills the characters heart with happiness such as smelling bannock baking, singing, dancing, walking barefoot on the grass, listening to stories and drumming. The illustrations are simple yet beautiful with colorful images that bring feelings of comfort, happiness. While I was looking at these images, it was making me think of my own family and what makes my heart happy which is something that the reader can relate to and make more meaning of the text.

32. Jingle Dancer (2000)

Illustrator: Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa HuAuthor: Cynthia Leitich SmithPublisher: Morrow Junior BooksSuitability: Grade 1-2 read aloud, grade 3-4 independent read Copyright: text: Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrations: Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa HuLocation: New York, NYInteresting Features: There is a glossary of terms in the back of the book outlining the definitions of some of the terms used.

Jenna is very inspired by her Grandma Wolfe’s dancing and the jingle of her special dress that she starts to dance and wants to create her own dress. Jenna goes around her community providing favors in order to gather enough jingles to make her dress so that she can dance like her grandma. She is able to get enough jingles for her dress and repays her helpers by dancing for them and carrying on her grandmothers traditions. The watercolor illustrations are magnificent and they drew me in a great deal when reading this story and kept me engaged, they were beautiful to look at and captured the dresses of the dancers beautifully with bright colors.

33. Two Pairs of shoes (1990)

Illustrator: David BeyerAuthor: Esther SandersonPublisher: Pemmican PublicationsSuitability: Grade 1-3Copyright: Esther SandersonLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There is a glossary for the terms used in the story and their definition.

It’s Maggie’s birthday and she has been dreaming of getting some new shoes. Her mother has a present for her and she opens it up to find a brand new pair of black leather shoes. She visits her kokom’s house and is surprised with another pair of shoes but these are a lot more special to Maggie. Her grandmother is blind but makes a very beautiful pair of moccasins. This gift makes her cry tear of joy and her grandmother reminds her that she must find the right time and place to wear each pair of shoes. The detailed images of the characters face and expressions make the story a joyful, entertaining one to share.

34. Fancy Dance (2002)

Illustrator: Kayeri AkweksAuthor: Leslie JohnsonPublisher: BEBOP BooksSuitability: Grade 1-3Copyright: text: Leslie Johnson, illustrations: Kayeri AkweksLocation: Canada

Joe is experiencing his very first pow-wow and he is learning what they are all about. He has to wear a special costume and silver bells around his legs. The dancers wear feathers, beads, bright colors and fringe and they dance in a circular motion. Joe was nervous about dancing but once the music and drumming starts, his body moves to the rhythm and he is very happy. This book recognized a strong cultural practice of First Nations people and readers can learn a lot from the content in this book and the colorful pictures that make the story come to life.

35. The Medicine Wheel: Stories of a Hoop Dancer (2014)

Illustrator: Jessika von Innerebner Author: Teddy Anderson Publisher: Medicine Wheel Education Inc.Suitability: Copyright: Medicine Wheel Education Inc. Interesting Features: There are online resources that are free to download at the end of the book for educational tools in the classroom

A young boy learns all about the Medicine Wheel and the values that are represented in it. He learned that there are four colors and they all work as one in balance and harmony. His Mooshum told him and his friends the story of the hoop dancer. The hoop dancer taught the people that there is no darkness in one another and that only the good must be seen, to help one another and walk the pathways of friendship and love, at the end of the path we all live as one family, be aware of your roots and you will grow tall and proud like trees, learn from their elders, teachers and friends and that when they use knowledge to help other people, they blossom into beautiful flowers. They realized that when one color is removed, the balance is lost and that the world is better when every person is equal. The young boy is seeking knowledge about who the hoop dancers are and he is told that they are every boy and girl who decide that they want a future of love, unity and light. The little boy longs to be a hoop dancer and make a change in the world.

36. Ancient Thunder (2006)

Illustrator: Leo YerxaAuthor: Leo YerxaPublisher: Groundwood BooksSuitability: Pre-K – Grade 2Copyright: Leo YerxaLocation: Toronto, ON

Acient Thunder is filled with bursts of color and unconventional pictures of horses to tell the tale of how ancient thunder was known to be. The horses start their day at the rise of the Strawberry Moon over seas of grass, chasing the buffalo and antelope, soaring on eagles’ wings, beating the earth drum, carrying man on their hooves on ancient thunder. This story is very fun and engaging for readers to engage with.

37. Raven and the Box (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

Raven in flying around in the sky and he likes to have fun. He spots a box and flies over to it and is wondering what could be inside, when he opens it up the sun comes out and he is very surprised. This light hearted book has a lot of repetition and rhyming words which allows for a lot of learning to take place for young readers. The images are simple and life-like which allows students to engage with the pictures as well as focus on the words of the story.

38. Raven and Frog Count (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

This story is very engaging for young readers because of the rhyming scheme that happens with the numbers. There is also repetition which allows for students to read along. There are numbers with their corresponding amount which allows children to see how much the number symbolizes.

39. Raven and Duck (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

Raven and Duck love playing together and they are learning about opposites in this story such as big and small, up and down, in and out as well as left and right. The book ends in some playful rhyming sentences. This is a very fun and interactive book for young readers to engage with and the illustrations are simple enough so that the reader does not get distracted.

40. Raven Sings the ABC’s (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

This story is great to use when young readers are learning about music and the alphabet. The book includes music that can be easily played by many ages with a fun song to sing and a picture and word for each letter of the alphabet.

41. Raven Makes a Necklace (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

Raven is flying high in the sky and come across many beads in different colors and shapes and collects them to make a necklace. This is great way to incorporate mathematics into discussion around the shapes that the readers are seeing and the colors that the raven finds.

42. I Spy Raven (2016)

Illustrator: Bill HelinAuthor: Terri MackPublisher: Strong Nations Publishing Inc.Suitability: Pre-K – grade 1Copyright: text: Terri Mack, illustrations: Bill HelinLocation: CanadaInteresting Features: There are read aloud and oral retelling strategies on the back of the book.

This book is a fun way to explore different animals and their role in the environment. The readers get to see animals such as butterflies. Bumblebees, mosquitos and ladybugs. They are all spying on Raven while he is doing various things. There is a rhyming scheme across this book and it allows for readers to be engaged in the story and predict what animal might come next.

#27- The Song Within My Heart (2002)

David Bouchard & Allen Sapp

This story really lifted my spirits and changed my perspective on life. The messages

within this story are very inspiring and I think that my classroom would benefit greatly from

having this book in our classroom library. The book showcases that we are all unique and carry

different narratives and outlooks on life. This story showed me that the only things that I can

truly call mine are my stories, my songs and my heartbeat because they make up who I am and

where I come from. I loved that this book embraced individuality and making mistakes. “If you,

dear reader, hear me sing and can’t make out what my message you should not fret, I was like

you, I had to learn to listen too!” This is a quote that I could see myself putting up in my

classroom to show my students that if you do not get it the first time does not mean that you

have failed, but that you must try again and dig a little deeper and this is a beautiful idea to

share with students. Each of us carry our own personal stories and that is what is so great about

a classroom full of children, we can learn so much from each other and that is what this book is

all about. I had a lot of memories flashing in my head as I was reading this story and it brought a

lot of personal connection to the story which made me engage with it on a deeper level and it

had a lot more meaning to my life. I could definitely see myself turning on some tradition music

or having students bring any music that is dear to their heart and having my students close their

eyes as we all dance to our very own heartbeats and have students discuss with each other how

this made them feel and what they felt in their hearts as this was happening. It also brought to

light the idea of how much we tend to idolize material things and define ourselves as successful

depending on how many “things” we own. It really changed this perspective for me to instead

think about how blessed I am to have family surrounding me and that I have a secure roof over

my head and friends to share my happy moments with. In our society today, it is important to

remind children about the importance of friends, family and our loved ones over material

things like I-pads, T.V’s, clothing, make up etc. that we are seeming to get so focused on.

#41- Raven Makes a Necklace (2016)Terri Mack & Bill Helin

While I was reading this book to myself, I found that I wasn’t just reading the words but

rather almost singing them in their rhyming tune. The way that the letters of the color were

printed in their color made them pop out for me on the page and my brain matched the color

of the word to the corresponding color of the bead. I was also making patterns in my head with

the shapes of the beads. I recently did a geometry unit in my internship and would have loved

to known about this book then to use it with my students. I know that they would have adored

this book and would have recited it along with me, even the struggling readers would have

been able to pick up on the repetition of sentences. I was making connections to Ravens that I

have seen flying in the sky and was wondering if they have ever actually done this or what kind

of things they might collect. Before I even read the book, I was able to see the colors and

shapes on the cover of the book and I was making predictions on what the book would be

about. The shapes have little faces on them and I think that this is very engaging and fun for

readers. These books are also bigger and the writing is white on a black background which helps

allow students with vision impairment or students who might be in the back row to still be able

to see the words. I would love to give children beads of various shapes and colors after reading

this story and see what kind of necklaces they make. I was also imagining doing a comparison

activity and have students compare their necklaces to other students as well as Ravens and

relate this back to how we all see the world differently and have different preferences. This

story would also allow for conversation about what children have found when they have been

out exploring and what they did with it. I always love to hear personal stories from children and

it allows for them to put some initiative into their learning and make it meaningful for their life.

#35- The Medicine Wheel: Stories of a Hoop Dancer (2014)

Teddy Anderson & Jessika von Innerebner

While I was reading this story, I really connected with the colors and how they each play

a role in the Medicine Wheel, and if one was to be lost, it would all fall apart. When all four

colors are in balance, it teaches us that all people should live as one family and I related this to

us all being Treaty people and how this is important to embrace in the classroom. When I was

learning about what a hoop dancer does, I wanted to become one and spread this awareness

and I think that children would have this same inspiration and drive to help as well. The images

of the hoop colors coordinating with the Medicine Wheel and interacting with each other made

this connection easier for me to understand because I am a visual learner. When they took one

away, all balance was lost and this was really captured for me in the illustrations. I related this

though to many aspects of my life. If I took away my relationships, passions, cultural traditions

and love, I would not be the same person and I would be very sad. This made me think of

Residential schools and how these children got stripped of everything and how this must have

felt for them. Relationships are the most important thing in my life and I want my students to

know that they will always be valued and loved in my classroom and was thinking about making

a classroom treaty while reading this story and how we would make agreements to always try

our best and be respectful and helpful. I got inspired to create hoop dancers within my

classroom who stand up for what is right and take the lessons of Medicine wheels into their

heart in order to try and make their world a better place. Each page contained elements of a

Medicine wheel and this reinforced the idea of the book for me and kept me engaged and

active in the reading. I wanted to create a list of the things that I could do to help other people

and think of ways to facilitate this.

#32- The Jingle Dancer (2000)

Cynthia Leitich Smith & Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu

I was mesmerized by the illustrations throughout this book and they kept me wanting

more and more of this story. The illustrator used watercolor paints and it really transformed the

story for me and made it come to life. I was inspired to make my own watercolor images and

try to create these beautiful images. After reading the book once with the text and pictures, I

re-read it with just the images and it had the same effect for me and I could still understand the

main parts of the story. This book brought many happy memories into my mind while reading

and I made a strong connection to Jenna hanging out with her grandma and wanting to carry on

her traditions of dancing. Family is very important to me and I cherish any time that I get to

spend with my grandparents making memories. My grandmother and I spend a lot of days in

the kitchen making various foods and she has taught me many tips and tricks. I saw this

mirrored in Jenna’s life when spent time sewing with her grandma. I love reading stories that I

can make personal connections to and this is a great story for children to be able to do this. I

was thinking about how I would use this in the classroom and I would love to have students

brainstorm special things that they do with their family members or friends and have them

document this with words or pictures and then share with the class and display them around

the room to embrace the different traditions that are seen throughout our classroom. The

entire book I was looking forward to getting to see Jenna dancing in her special dress that she

worked really hard on and the images of her dancing at the end pulled me in and I could have

stared at them for a long time. She looks so happy and proud and I can strongly relate to this

feelings that hard work brings.

#25- The Messenger of Spring (1997)C.J. Taylor

This story challenged the way I think in many ways. It presented me with a different way

in thinking about how the seasons came to be. I was not given a lot of traditional teachings

when I was younger so changing the way I think has been a learning process for me. This story

has a beautiful message about the transition from winter to spring that I think would be

incredible to share with children in order to broaden their understandings of the world around

them. It provides an opportunity to create cross cultural traditional teachings for students

which is important because if I am just teaching First Nations content in one subject like social

studies, then students will think that this is all it applies to. It is incredible how reading one

story can bring some many ideas to one’s mind and take you in so many different directions.

This is something that I love about reading books. Even though the New Dawn came to take a

job away from the Iceman, he still left a valuable gift and this highlights their cultures in an

amazing and inspiring way. I had many visions of providing opportunities for children to create

their own stories about how the transition happens between seasons and creating this story

through illustrations of their choice and sharing them with the class. I think that this would

bring meaning to the story for children and they would be able to create a story in which is

personalized and they can retell whether they are able to read or not. Creating as many positive

reading experiences as I can for children is a strong passion of mine and this story would allow

me to do just that. I think that children would get just as much joy out of the brilliant images

throughout this story as I did and create a strong appreciate for artwork.