Books About Cree

The Best Cree Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about cree? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Cree

On the Trapline
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

On the Trapline

By David A. Robertson, Julie Flett (Illustrator)

A boy travels north with his grandfather to the land where his grandfather grew up.

48 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 726 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, travel north to visit the trapline where Moshom grew up, hunting and living off the land. Along the way the boy keeps asking, "Is this your trapline?" and imagines what life was like two generations ago, a life both different from and similar to his own. A story of memory and connection between generations, winner of the Governor General's Award.
Stolen Words
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Stolen Words

By Melanie Florence, Gabrielle Grimard (Illustrator)

A girl helps her grandfather reclaim his lost language.

24 pages· 519 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.5 Goodreads · 1,208 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: A young girl embarks on a heartfelt journey to help her grandfather rediscover the Cree language stolen from him during his childhood at a residential school. As they navigate the echoes of a painful past, they uncover the power of healing and cultural revival. Can they bridge the gap between generations and reclaim what was lost? This poignant tale explores the enduring impact of cultural erasure and the resilience needed to mend broken ties.
When We Were Alone
Sale price
$2085
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

When We Were Alone

By David A. Robertson, Julie Flett (Illustrator)

A girl uncovers her grandmother's past in a residential school, revealing lost traditions.

32 pages· 881 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.5 Goodreads · 2,024 ratings
$21.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: A young girl, curious about her grandmother's long braids and vibrant clothing, discovers a hidden past. As she tends the garden, her grandmother shares stories of a time when these cultural expressions were forbidden in residential school. This revelation unveils a history of loss and resilience, prompting questions about identity and heritage. What secrets lie in the past, and how do they shape the present? "When We Were Alone" explores a poignant chapter in history, highlighting the enduring strength of family and culture.
The Case of the Missing Auntie
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

The Case of the Missing Auntie

By Michael Hutchinson · Book #2 in the Mighty Muskrats Mysteries series

A city trip turns into a quest to find Grandpa's long-lost sister.

192 pages· 35,878 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 170 ratings
$10.95Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: The Mighty Muskrats head to the city for fun, but Chickadee uncovers a family mystery: Grandpa's sister, taken without consent years ago. As they search for her, the cousins face urban challenges, confront bullies, and learn harsh truths about their heritage. Will they find Grandpa's sister and uncover the secrets of the past?
Wild Berries
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013

Wild Berries

By Julie Flett, Earl N. Cook (Translator)

Join a boy and his grandmother on a berry-picking adventure in a vibrant woodland setting.

32 pages· 193 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 539 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Clarence embarks on a summer day adventure with his grandmother, picking wild blueberries in a lush woodland. As they gather berries, they encounter woodland creatures and embrace the rich traditions of the Cree and Metis cultures. This journey not only celebrates the beauty of nature but also honors an endangered language, offering a glimpse into a cherished cultural practice. Will Clarence discover more than just berries in the forest? A delightful tale that includes a recipe for a delicious blueberry pie, inviting readers to savor the experience.
Nimoshom and His Bus
Sale price
$1895
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Nimoshom and His Bus

By Penny M Thomas, Karen Hibbard (Illustrator)

A school bus driver shares Cree language with children on their daily ride.

32 pages
3.9 Goodreads · 221 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Join Nimoshom, a school bus driver with a knack for storytelling, as he shares the Cree language with children on their daily journey. Through playful tales and engaging lessons, Nimoshom transforms an ordinary bus ride into an adventure in language and culture. Will the kids embrace this unique learning experience? Discover the joy of language and connection in this heartwarming tale.
The Ghost Collector
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2019

The Ghost Collector

By Allison Mills

Shelly hoards ghosts, but her mother's spirit is missing. Why won't she return?

200 pages· 35,308 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 611 ratings
$9.95Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Shelly and her grandmother catch ghosts in their hair, guiding them to the afterlife. But when Shelly's mom dies, she starts hoarding spirits instead. Despite her growing collection, her mother's ghost is absent. Why hasn't she come home? Rooted in Cree traditions, this tale explores grief, loss, and the mysteries of the afterlife.
Fire in Your Belly
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2026

Fire in Your Belly

By Rebecca LaFond, Aly McKnight (Illustrator)

A grandmother's bedtime story reveals the warm spark every feeling feeds.

48 pages· 747 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
3.3 Goodreads · 12 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Late one night, a Cree girl's kookum (grandmother) tells her how the world began: long ago, embers fell from the sky and made every living thing, and little pieces of that sky still glow in our bellies. The fire glows with joy, hisses in a storm of feeling, smolders with anger and flares with laughter. Page by page, the girl learns to tend her inner fire, which links her to the generations before her.
Kohkom's First Drum
Sale price
$2085
Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2026

Kohkom's First Drum

By Monique Gray Smith, Dorothy Thunder (Translator), Karlene Harvey (Illustrator)

A boy learns why his grandmother received her first drum only recently.

32 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 6 ratings
$21.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Charlie loves drum circle at school, and his Kohkom tells him she was given her very first drum not long ago, at a ceremony honoring children who never came home from residential schools. Charlie doesn't understand why it took so long. Kohkom explains that she was taken from her family as a small child in the Sixties Scoop and only later learned what being Cree meant. A gentle story of reconnection, told in English and Plains Cree.
Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow

By Sita MacMillan, Azby Whitecalf (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher series

A magical powwow helps Sarah reconnect with her Cree roots.

120 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 46 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Sarah Ponakey, new to city life, misses her Cree community. After a tough day, she's whisked away to a magical forest powwow. With her stuffed animal Âhâsiw come to life, Sarah discovers a vibrant celebration of her culture. As she dances with chipmunks and bears, her confidence soars. Can this enchanting experience help her feel at home in the city? Join Sarah on a journey of cultural discovery and self-acceptance.
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