Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Canada

Minegoo Mniku / Epekewitkewey A’tukwaqn

2017

"A long time ago, the Great Spirit created all of the sky and stars but it wasn't enough. He then made a beautiful place called Minegoo, a place so beautiful that He almost placed it among the stars. He decided that instead, he would place Minegoo in the most beautiful spot on earth. He summoned Kluskap and asked him to find this spot. After searching the whole world, Kluscap found the Shining Waters, the spot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that would be home to the Mi'kmaq people created in his own image."-- |cProvided by publisher

The Old Man with the Otter Medicine / Eneèko nàmbe įkʼ̜o̜ò kʼeèzh̜o

2008

by John Blondin, Archie Beaverho and George Blondin

It is winter and the people are starving. There are no fish. They must seek the help of a medicine man to save them. The Old Man with the Otter Medicine tells of medicine power, the struggle for survival and an important part of the history and culture of the Dene people as it has been passed down through stories and legends for generations. --publisher

Dancing with the cranes

2013

by Jeannette C Armstrong and Ron Hall

"Chi's momma is soon to have a baby, but Chi' is having a hard time being happy about it. Chi' misses her Temma (Grandma), who has passed away."--Back cover

The gathering tree

2012

by Oskiniko Larry Loyie, Constance Brissenden and Heather D Holmlund

Robert, a young man with HIV, returns to his Native community to attend a gathering and to speak to his people about his disease. The two children in the story learn about traditional Native culture while they learn about Robert's disease.

Jenneli’s dance

2008

by Elizabeth Denny and Chris Auchter

One day, Grandma Lucee enters shy Jenneli into a jigging contest at the Lakeside Fair. Jenneli is scared and excited, but with Grandma Lucee's encouragement, love and support, Jenneli places her self-doubts and fears aside to dance in the contest.

Mr. Mergler, Beethoven, and me

2018

by David Gutnick and Mathilde Cinq-Mars

"An elderly piano teacher takes a young music student under his wing and changes her life. This story is inspired by events in the life of Daniel Mergler - a wonderful musician who loved to teach and whose generous spirit inspires author and journalist David Gutnick to this day.

Nala’s magical mitsiaq

2013

by Jennifer Noah and Qin Leng

When a blizzard prevents sisters Nala and Qiatsuk from going sledding, they end up staying home and hearing the story of Nala's adoption and learning about Inuit custom adoption instead.

Island in the Salish Sea

2018

by Sheryl McFarlane and Leslie Redhead

A picture book about the simple joys of spending summer vacation on an island in the Salish Sea with Gran.

Thundermaker / Kaqtukowa’tekete’w

2018

by Alan Syliboy and Lindsay Marshall

Little Thunder learns the importance of responsibility as his father teaches him, and then passes on, the role of Thundermaker.

The pencil

2019

by Susan Avingaq, Charlene Chua and Maren Vsetula

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