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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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15 matching books

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Very Last First Time

1985

by Jan Andrews and Ian Wallace

"An ALA Notable Children’s Book, Very Last First Time comes from one of Canada's most distinguished storytellers and an award-winning illustrator. Eva Padlyat lived in an Inuit village on Ungava Vat in northern Canada. In winter, when people wanted mussels to eat, they searched along the bottom of the seabed. Eva had often walked on the bottom, helping her mother, but today – for the very first time – she was to go down below the thick sea ice herself. Her mother went with her to the shore and out onto the ice. The time was just right. The outgoing tide had pulled the seawater away, leaving only the ice above and the rock-strewn seabed below. Eva lowered herself through a hole in the ice and, by candlelight, had soon gathered a pan full of mussels. There was still time to explore, she decided. But she stumbled and her candle went out. She was alone in the darkness, and the tide had turned. When, at the end of her adventure, she is safe with her mother again on top of the ice, she says, "that was my very last first time for walking alone on the bottom of the sea."" -- publisher

Beautiful Life

A promise is a promise

2019

by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak, Robert N. Munsch and Vladyana Krykorka

"When Allashua disobeys her parents and goes fishing on the sea ice, she has to use her wits to escape the Qallupilluit--the troll-like creatures her parents have always warned her about that live beneath the frozen surface of the sea. But the only way to break out of their grasp is through an exchange: Allashua can go free if she brings her brothers and sisters back to the sea ice instead. Allashua doesn't want to give them up, but what can she do? After all, a promise is a promise. A Promise Is a Promise is a collaboration between award-winning storyteller Michael Kusugak and celebrated children's author Robert Munsch. This 30th anniversary edition brings all of the tension of the traditional Inuit story to a new generation of readers. Added features include a new foreword by Michael Kusugak on his role as a storyteller and the importance of storytelling in Inuit culture."--

Beautiful Life

Leah’s mustache party

2016

by Nadia Mike and Charlene Chua

Four-year-old Leah loved being a pirate for Halloween. She never considered being a princess or a fairy. But once Halloween has come and gone, Leah misses so many things about her costume. She misses her sword. She misses saying "Arrrr!" But most of all, she misses her silly moustache. But Leah knows that it doesn't have to be Halloween to play dress up. She can wear a moustache whenever she wants! She can wear one while she's watching a movie, or riding her bike, or playing her favorite game. And when Leah's birthday finally arrives, she knows exactly what she wants to do: have a party where everyone must wear a moustache! At Leah's moustache party, everyone gets in on the dress-up fun, even Grandma!

Any Child

The caterpillar woman

2016

by Nadia Sammurtok and Carolyn Gan

"Piujuq is a kind young woman who loves to take long walks on the tundra and dance by her favourite lake surrounded by butterflies. But one day, she encounters a stranger on her walk. When this person asks a favour of Piujuq, she happily obliges, and that kindness leaves Piujuq stuck in the body of a caterpillar. Alone, and thinking that no one could ever love her because of how she looks, Piujuq does not return to her camp. Instead, she lives a lonely life on the tundra. Until one day when another stranger appears . . . Based on traditional Inuit story, this tale of inner beauty, kindness, and magic is a perfect addition to any young reader's bookshelf"--|cProvided by publisher

Beautiful Life

The pencil

2019

by Susan Avingaq, Maren Vsetula and Charlene Chua

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

Any Child

The fox wife

2018

by Beatrice Deer and D. J. Herron

On a cloudless summer night, a fox falls to earth and comes across a family of humans. As the seasons change and they move their camp, she follows them, growing ever more intrigued by human ways--and especially by the oldest son, Irniq. When Irniq grows older and sets out hunting on his own, he is surprised to enter his tent one day and find the lamp lit, the tea made ... and a strange woman who says she is his wife. Tired of being alone, Irniq welcomes the woman. But soon he grows curious and cannot stop himself from asking too many questions. Where did the fox pelt hanging outside their tent come from? And why did the fox that had been following him suddenly disappear? Based on award-winning musician Beatrice Deer's powerful song "Fox," this graphic novel reinterprets a traditional Inuit story for a new generation. |cProvided by publisher

Beautiful Life

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