Jumpstart’s Book Recommendation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

On Monday, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Check out our book recommendations that feature indigenous characters and families to share in your classrooms and with your children and spark conversation. We hope you are able to read these with all of the young learners in your life.

• Birdsong, written and illustrated by Julie Flett  
  • An intergenerational story about a girl and her elderly neighbor. Read along to follow their friendship as it quietly blossoms through the passage of time. 
• We are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade 
  • Learn about the importance of water in this story and the ways we can protect our environment for the years to come.  
• We are Grateful/Ostalihalega, written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac 
  • Celebrate the Cherokee way of life in this book. As you read, travel through the seasons and share in the many things the community express gratitude for.  
• On the Trapline, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett 
  • Take a trip with a boy and his grandpa through memories in this intergenerational story.   
• Frybread, written by Kevin Noble Maillard , illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
  • A story about the celebration of fry bread as symbol of food, family, and tradition. 
• Sweetest Kulu, written by Celina Kalluk, illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis
  • A newborn hears about all the gifts they are given to live a beautiful life. 
• Finding My Dance, written by Ria Thundercloud, illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller 
  • A true story about Ria’s journey into dance, from her first powwow to tap, jazz, and ballet. 

ABOUT JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

For over 29 years, Jumpstart has been fueled by the core belief that providing high-quality educational opportunities to all young children prepares them for academic and economic success later in life. Jumpstart advances equitable learning outcomes for young children by recruiting and supporting caring adults to deliver high-quality programming and drive systems change through teaching, advocacy, and leadership. Jumpstart has trained more than 60,000 college students and community volunteers, preparing over 140,000 children for kindergarten success. Jumpstart’s program is replicated across the country in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at jstart.org.