Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
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Inuki’s Birthday Party
"Inuki lives in Iglulik, Nunavut. It is his fifth birthday! He can’t wait for his party at the community hall. There is cake to eat and presents to open, but celebrating with his family and friends is Inuki’s favourite gift of all!" -- publisher
Oleepeeka’s first hunt
"A story about traditional knowledge and hunting from the northern community of Panniqtuuq, Nunavut. Oleepeeka is from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut. It’s time for her first hunting trip! Oleepeeka is excited to spend the day with Ataata and learn about catching ptarmigans. Join Oleepeeka and Ataata as they set off on the land and bring home a special feast for their family." -- publisher
Elijah’s Super Halloween
"A Halloween story from the northern community of Arviat, Nunavut. Halloween is almost here! Elijah is excited to go trick-or-treating in his community of Arviat, Nunavut. His anaana even made him a special superhero costume. But just before Halloween, a polar bear is spotted near town. It is not safe to go trick-or-treating. Will Elijah ever get the chance to show off his super costume?" -- publisher
Birds On Wishbone Street
"From the author of New York Times Notable picture book My Beautiful Birds, former Syrian refugee Sami finds a sense of home in a new place by caring for a bird with a new friend A simple act of neighborly kindness and a bird that needs their aid helps former refugee Sami settle into his new community with new-found friend Moe Moe’s neighbors on Wishbone Street come from all over the world, and she’s excited to meet the new boy who just arrived from Syria. Sami isn’t quite ready to talk about his past, but he loves birds just as much as Moe does. And who wouldn’t have fun in a parkette full of packing snow? When the children discover a female cardinal stunned by the cold, Sami uses his experience taking care of pigeons in Syria to help rescue the bird—an incident that helps Sami to feel more at home. In Birds on Wishbone Street, author/illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo demonstrates the power of an act of kindness, telling a story about finding home and making friends in new places. Illustrated with her signature polymer clay art, the story revisits characters from Del Rizzo’s New York Times Notable My Beautiful Birds and reminds us that we’re all more similar than we are different." -- publisher
Kits, cubs, and calves: an Arctic summer
"On a visit to Nunavut, Akuluk learns about Arctic animals and the importance of the environment we all share. Akuluk is visiting her family in Nunavut and can’t wait to get out on her uncle’s boat for a ride into the powerful Arctic Ocean. Surrounded by her family, and with her trusty toy polar bear beside her, Akuluk experiences the beautiful sights, sounds, and animals that abound in the ocean and along the shore during the short Arctic summer—from a mother polar bear and her cubs to a family of belugas and tiny Arctic fox kits. As they encounter each animal, Akuluk’s aunt and uncles share with her how each species cares for its young, and how they protect their babies from the other animals who share their ecosystem. This beautiful story of family connection and respect for the natural world teaches young readers how close humans are to our animal counterparts and that caring for the environment in which we live is one of our most important responsibilities." -- publisher
The Train
"Ashley meets her great-uncle by the old train tracks near their community in Nova Scotia. When she sees his sadness, he tells her of the day when he and the other children were taken to residential school, their lives changed forever. Uncle also explains how Ashley gives him hope. She promises to wait with him in remembrance of what was lost. Ashley meets her great-uncle by the old train tracks near their community in Nova Scotia. Ashley sees his sadness, and Uncle tells her of the day years ago when he and the other children from their community were told to board the train before being taken to residential school where their lives were changed forever. They weren't allowed to speak Mi'gmaq and were punished if they did. There was no one to give them love and hugs and comfort. Uncle also tells Ashley how happy she and her sister make him. They are what give him hope. Ashley promises to wait with her uncle by the train tracks, in remembrance of what was lost." -- publisher
Clam Digging with Grandma
"Silu can’t wait to go clam digging! Follow along as Silu and her grandma spend a fun day digging for clams." -- publisher
The song within my heart
As a young First Nations, Cree Indian boy prepares for his first powwow, he learns from his grandmother that he has to create stories and songs to prepare for his own upcoming pow-wow. She guides him through the events of the day and helps him to understand that the stories, songs, and beating heart are his to own and are things unique to each individual. These are the kinds of things that hold value and importance beyond materialistic things.
Thundermaker / Kaqtukowa’tekete’w
Little Thunder learns the importance of responsibility as his father teaches him, and then passes on, the role of Thundermaker.
The pencil
Susan and her sister, Rebecca, love watching their mother write letters to people in other camps. Their mother has one precious pencil, and she keeps it safe in her box for special things. One afternoon, Anaana leaves the iglu to help a neighbour, and Susan, Rebecca, and their brother Peter are left with their father. They play all their regular games but are soon out of things to do-until Ataata brings out the pencil! As Susan draws and draws, the pencil grows shorter and shorter. What will Anaana think when she comes home? Based on author Susan Avingaq's childhood memories of growing up in an iglu, this charming story introduces young readers to the idea of using things wisely. |cProvided by publisher