Children's literature provides important lessons to children about the world, its history, and its people. Unfortunately, in the past, most children's books ignored the rich cultural and historical significance of Native Americans, often relegating them to simplified stories of Thanksgiving.

In recent decades, a rich collection of children's books has emerged, dealing with Native American cultures, both historical and contemporary. In the following stories, authors present traditional Native American stories and describe the lives of American Indian children today. Teachers, parents and children will value these books for their cultural worth and enjoyable tales.

• Jingle Dancer, story by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. This children's book tells the story of young Jenna, a present-day Native American girl, who wants to jingle dance at the Powwow like her Grandma Wolfe, but doesn't have enough jingles for her dress. She borrows a row of jingles each from her Great-Aunt Sis, who entertains her with old Muscogee Creek tales; her neighbor, Mrs. Scott, who makes fry bread and Indian tacos; her Cousin Elizabeth, who is busy working on a case for her law firm; and her Grandma Wolfe, who practices dancing by watching a video tape of herself. Children will enjoy Smith's story of sharing and ingenuity while getting an appreciation of how Native Americans living in the modern world celebrate their traditional culture through food, dance, and family. Ages four to eight. (Morrow Junior Books, 2000)
  
  
• In a Circle Long Ago: A Treasury of Native Lore from North America, stories retold by Nancy Van Laan, illustrations by Lisa Desimini. Van Laan offers a proud collection of twenty-five songs, stories, and poems from 20 different tribal traditions and includes a pronunciation guide, a map, and brief descriptions of the regions where each tribe is located. The tales give a broad look at Native American culture and the distinctions between tribes. Parents and teachers who read this with their children can use this book to discuss why the Navajo would have a "Corn Song" and why certain animals are included in certain regions. It is important for children to understand that Native Americans represent a complex group of many diverse tribes. Ages four to 10. (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1995)
  
  
• Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, story and illustrations by Gerald McDermott. Having won the Caldecott Medal for Arrow to the Sun and the Caldecott Honor for Anansi the Spider, McDermott chooses in this book to tell the traditional tale from the Pacific Northwest of the brave raven who brought light to his people. Transforming himself into a pine needle and then into the grandson of the Sky Chief, the raven in this tale is able to find the sun and offer it to the people of the land. The search for fire and light is a common theme for many Native American stories. McDermott's depiction of the raven as a totem-pole image and the story's simple, often humorous, language make this book an enjoyable read for children. Ages four to eight. (Harcourt Brace, 1993)
  
  
• A Man Called Raven, story by Richard Van Camp, illustrations by George Littlechild. In this modern story, also based on the raven, a strange man confronts two boys who are chasing and hitting a raven with hockey sticks in their garage. He tells them the story of a wicked old man who, after mistreating an innocent raven, is driven mad and turned into a raven himself. Returning to his village where he had always been mean to everyone, the raven is surprised and touched to see that the villagers sing for him at his funeral. He decides then to watch over and protect his people and even saves some of their lives in a snowdrift. The mysterious man telling the story explains that this is why the boys must always respect ravens. He then walks outside and flies away. Van Camp's story-within-a-story modernizes another traditional myth about a raven and helps children understand why it important not to torment animals. Ages four to eight. (Children's Book Press, 1997)
  
  
• Very Last First Time, story by Jan Andrews, illustrations by Ian Wallace. Eva Padlyat lives in an Inuit village on the Ungava Bay in Northern Canada. When the tide pulls the sea away, the people of her village cut holes in the ice and descend into the space between the frozen ice and the bottom of the sea to collect mussels. For as long as she can remember, Eva has gone to the bottom of the sea with her mother. This story follows her emotional adventure as she goes under the ice alone for the first time. Andrews' story offers readers an intriguing glimpse at a modern Inuit family performing a traditional and essential practice. Wallace's warm, realistic pictures illustrate the fusion of the old and new lifestyles of the village, showing Eva's neighbors putting out their animal furs with telephone wires in the background and Eva and her mother cutting into the ice while an airplane flies overhead. Ages four to eight. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1985)
  
  
• The Rainbow Bridge: Inspired by a Chumash Tale, story retold by Audrey Wood, illustrations by Robert Florczak. In this California Chumash traditional tale, Hutash, the earth goddess, plants seeds that grow into her beloved people, while her husband, the wise sky snake, sticks out his tongue and creates lightning for their fire. When the land becomes too crowded, Hutash makes a rainbow bridge for half the people to get to the empty land on the other side of the water. When a few children fall off, she saves them by turning them into dolphins. This is the reason the Chumash believe dolphins are their brothers and sisters. Florczak's passionate and scenic paintings illustrate the beauty of the California Coast where the Chumash lived. Ages four to eight. (Harcourt Brace, 1995)
  
  
• Iktomi and the Boulder: A Plains Indian Story, story and illustrations by Paul Goble. Iktomi is a common hero in many Native American tales. Sometimes called by other names, Iktomi is clever, vain, greedy, and often deceitful. In this tale, Iktomi is a modern Plains Indian walking in his best traditional feathers to a neighboring festival. He gets himself into trouble when he offends a boulder by giving and then taking away a blanket. Angered, the boulder pins him to the ground. To get free, Iktomi tricks a colony of bats to break the boulder to pieces by ramming into it. The story explains that this is why bats have flattened noses and why scattered rocks are strewn all over the Great Plains. Throughout his tales, Goble also offers Iktomi's thoughts and the narrator's asides. This storytelling convention adds humor and makes it an especially entertaining read-aloud book. If children enjoy reading this modern adaptation of the ancient trickster tale, they should also check out Goble's other Iktomi books including Iktomi and Buzzard, Iktomi and the Ducks, and Iktomi and the Coyote. Ages five to 10. (Orchard Books, 1988)
  
  
• We Are Still Here-Native Americans Today. Series includes: Children of Clay-A Family of Pueblo Potters; Clambake-A Wampanoag Tradition; Ininatig's Gift of Sugar-Traditional Native Sugarmaking; Kinaalda-A Navajo Girl Grows Up; The Sacred Harvest- Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering; and Shannon-An Ojibway Dancer. These books introduce young readers to the customs and events of contemporary Native Americans in the cities and rural areas of North America. Using photographs to illustrate the real-life stories of specific Native Americans practicing and performing traditional customs, they offer honest, realistic, insiders' views of how traditions are still practiced in the modern world. Ages five to 10. (Lerner Publications Company)

Extra resources from the Children’s Advocate bulletin (updated 12-06)

• Tolerance.org summarizes recommended children's books for children between four and 11 years old that emphasize tolerance and understanding. Online at http://www.tolerance.org/parents/storytime.jsp?p=0¤tCategory=Early%20Grades

To stay informed about new and upcoming Children’s Advocate articles, related resources, and advocacy opportunities, sign up for our Children’s Advocate bulletin