Thanksgiving Children's Books

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as people spend the season practicing intentional gratitude.

I am also grateful for the opportunity to share with my children, in a socially responsible way, an authentic learning experience about Native Americans.

Here is a list of books/stories to help share some more accurate depictions of various cultures and traditions to help counter the sometimes stereotypical portrayals we can often encounter this season.

Bowwow Powwow: by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe). Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination that from her Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. 

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga : A look at modern Native American life as told by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. 

Whale Snow by Debby Dahl Edwardson: Amiqqaq is excited when his family catches a bowhead whale. As his family prepares to celebrate the traditional Iñupiaq whaling feast .

Shota and The Star Quilt: This story weaves together traditional folktale values with modern concerns for the urban environment and green issues. In addition to the beautiful folk-style native art illustrations, the complete text of the story is presented in Lakota as well as English

I love to offer DIVERSE books and stories to my kids. Also I love sharing about diverse authors from different cultures. We can all benefit from different and unique perspectives. I am thankful they used their gifts of writing to share their stories.

Do you have any others to add to the list? Be sure an comment with them below so we can all share in each others awesome finds!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!