Books About Indigenous Cultures

The Best Indigenous Cultures Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about indigenous cultures? 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.

Touching Spirit Bear
#1 in Series
Berry Song
Ancestor Approved
The Birchbark House
#1 in Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Indigenous Cultures

Touching Spirit Bear
Sale price
$2071
Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2001

Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelsen · Book #1 in the Spirit Bear series

A violent teen faces a life-changing encounter with a mystical bear on a remote island.

241 pages· 56,072 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 37,458 ratings
$21.80Save 5%
Prebound-Glued
Summary: Cole Matthews, consumed by anger, faces a choice: prison or a year of Circle Justice on an Alaskan island. After a brutal attack by a legendary Spirit Bear, Cole's survival hinges on confronting his inner demons. Can he transform his rage into redemption, or will his past consume him? As he battles the wilderness and his own soul, Cole's journey raises questions about responsibility, healing, and the power of forgiveness. Will the island's isolation and the bear's mysterious presence lead to his salvation, or is it too late for change?
Where Wonder Grows
Sale price
$1990
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2022

Where Wonder Grows

By Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrator)

Discover nature's secrets with a curious grandmother and her granddaughters.

40 pages· 357 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 488 ratings
$20.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a magical garden, a grandmother guides her granddaughters through a world of wonders. As they explore rocks, crystals, and meteorites, they uncover nature's hidden stories. What secrets will they learn from these ancient treasures? This enchanting tale celebrates curiosity and the bond between generations, inviting young readers to see the world with fresh eyes.
Remember
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Remember

By Joy Harjo, Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

Reflect on your place in the world and the connections that bind us all.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2023)American Indian Youth Literature Honor (2024)
40 pages· 163 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,471 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 'Remember,' young readers are invited to explore their connection to the world. Through Joy Harjo's evocative poem and Michaela Goade's vibrant illustrations, discover the ties to family, nature, and heritage. What stories do the stars hold? How does the dawn's light shape our lives? This picture book is a celebration of life and our shared human journey.
Berry Song
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Berry Song

By Michaela Goade

A girl and her grandmother gather nature's gifts, deepening their bond with the earth.

Caldecott Honor (2023)American Indian Youth Literature Honor (2024)
40 pages· 347 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,244 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On a remote island, a young girl and her grandmother collect nature's treasures—salmon, herring eggs, and a bounty of berries. As they sing to the land, it sings back, weaving a song of connection and gratitude. Through the changing seasons, they nurture a profound bond with the earth and their ancestors. Will their journey inspire others to listen to the land's wisdom? Discover the beauty and harmony that unite generations in this luminous tale of kinship and nature's gifts.
Ancestor Approved
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Ancestor Approved

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

At a vibrant powwow, young heroes discover family, mystery, and their own stories.

320 pages· 63,391 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,475 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: At the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, young Native protagonists from diverse Nations converge in a high school gym alive with color and song. Amidst dancing, beadwork, and books, they encounter distant relatives, enigmatic strangers, and each other. As they navigate this tapestry of heritage and community, each becomes the hero of their own story, uncovering connections and secrets that bind them. What mysteries will unfold in this celebration of resilience and pride?
The Star People
Sale price
$1994
Picture Book · Ages 1–8 · 2003

The Star People

By S.D. Nelson

Lost in a prairie fire, two siblings seek a way home under mysterious dancing stars.

34 pages· 985 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 257 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray from their village into the vast prairie, only to face a raging fire. As they escape the flames, they find themselves lost in a desolate landscape. With nightfall approaching, the siblings must find their way back home. But why do the stars above seem to dance, and could they hold the key to their return? This tale, enriched by traditional Lakota ledger art, weaves a new legend of the Star People, where a grandmother's love transcends the earthly realm to guide her grandchildren through the darkness.
A Symphony of Whales
Sale price
$1520
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1999

A Symphony of Whales

By Steve Schuch, Peter Sylvada (Illustrator)

A girl hears trapped whales' cries as ice closes in. Can they be saved?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (1999)
32 pages· 1,766 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 149 ratings
$16.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Glashka, the only one who hears the whales' cries, faces a daunting challenge when thousands become trapped in a freezing inlet. As ice encroaches, their survival hangs in the balance. Can Glashka's unique gift and the power of music lead to a daring rescue? Discover a tale of courage and hope inspired by true events.
Being Home
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

Being Home

By Traci Sorell, Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

A young girl embarks on a journey to her ancestral home.

32 pages· 153 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 713 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: A young Cherokee girl leaves the city she's always known for a new life on her ancestral land. As she travels, she captures the changing scenery, anticipating family feasts and creekside play. Will this move bring her closer to her roots and a new sense of belonging? Discover the joy and challenges of finding home in this beautifully illustrated tale.
SkySisters
Sale price
$2522
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2000

SkySisters

By Jan Bourdeau Waboose, Brian Dienes (Illustrator)

Two sisters journey through the frozen north to witness the SkySpirits' dance.

32 pages· 1,412 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 268 ratings
$26.55Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: In the frozen north, two Ojibway sisters embark on a silent journey to witness the SkySpirits' midnight dance. As the younger sister learns to embrace the stillness, they are rewarded with the breathtaking spectacle of the northern lights. Will the magic of the night sky transform their bond and ignite a sense of wonder?
The Birchbark House
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1999

The Birchbark House

By Louise Erdrich · Book #1 in the Birchbark House series

A young Ojibwa girl navigates life on Lake Superior in 1847.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1999)American Indian Youth Literature Award (2006)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2000)
244 pages· 43,946 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 13,408 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1847, young Omakayas lives on an island in Lake Superior, experiencing the world from an Ojibwa perspective. As she navigates daily life, her story offers a unique view of Native American life, challenging the typical narratives of the time. What challenges will she face, and how will her heritage shape her journey? Discover a tale of resilience and identity, set against the backdrop of a changing world.
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Indigenous Cultures Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about indigenous cultures for preschool and elementary-age readers.

How Raven Got His Crooked Nose (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299

How Raven Got His Crooked Nose (Graphic Novel)

Ages 5–8 · 2020

A trickster raven loses his nose and uses magic to retrieve it.

The Last Polar Bear
Sale price
$799

The Last Polar Bear

Ages 4–8 · 2009

A boy races to save a polar bear cub in a changing Arctic.

Swift Fox All Along
Sale price
$1895

Swift Fox All Along

Ages 4–7 · 2020

Swift Fox seeks her Mi'kmaq identity amidst family traditions and uncertainty.

We Are Water Protectors
Sale price
$1799

We Are Water Protectors

Ages 3–6 · 2020

A young person must rally their community to protect their land and water from a destructive force.

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
Sale price
$1999

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Ages 5–8 · 1978

A girl finds freedom living among wild horses.

Seasons of the Circle

Seasons of the Circle

2002

Explore Native American traditions through the changing seasons.

Brazil
Series
Sale price
$3296

Brazil

Ages 5–8 · 2016

Explore vibrant lands and cultures from your home.

Elena's Story
Series
Sale price
$1695

Elena's Story

Ages 6–9 · 2012

Elena juggles school, chores, and sibling care, seeking time to read.

View all indigenous cultures picture books
Browse by age

Indigenous Cultures Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about indigenous cultures for developing and independent readers.

The Courage of Sarah Noble
#2 in Series
Sale price
$599

The Courage of Sarah Noble

Ages 7–10 · 1954

A young girl and her father travel through the wilderness to build a new home, facing various challenges and meeting new people along the way.

Never Say Die
Sale price
$999

Never Say Die

Ages 8–12 · 2013

Stranded in the Arctic, two brothers face a monstrous bear and their own fears.

Written in Stone
Sale price
$799

Written in Stone

Ages 9–12 · 2013

A young girl battles to preserve her tribe's heritage as modern whaling threatens their survival.

Dogsong
Sale price
$899

Dogsong

Ages 12–15 · 1985

A teen embarks on a journey with sled dogs to discover his true self.

Nickommoh!
Sale price
$1600

Nickommoh!

Ages 6–9 · 1999

Experience a harvest celebration predating the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving, where gratitude and community thrive under the stars.

Manatee Rescue
Series
Sale price
$1699

Manatee Rescue

Ages 7–10 · 2013

A girl vows to save an orphaned manatee, facing unexpected challenges.

The Amazon
Series
Sale price
$1795

The Amazon

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Siblings face a jungle mystery when their mother vanishes. Can they save her?

The Search for El Dorado
Series
Sale price
$1299

The Search for El Dorado

Ages 7–10 · 2016

Can explorers uncover the legendary City of Gold, El Dorado, or is it just a myth?

View all indigenous cultures chapter books
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Books about adoptionBooks about angerBooks about helping othersBooks about juvenile delinquencyBooks about second chances

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