One of the simplest ways to celebrate diverse cultures with the little one(s) in your life is through diverse representation within the books you read together. Here are 10 of our favorite books to add to your home library between now and thanksgiving!

Top Books Celebrating Native American Culture for Infants + Toddlers

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith - International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.

Little You by Richard Van Camp - This book won the 2016 American Indian Youth Literature Award for best picture book and features beautiful illustrations that show a parent's love for a new baby.

We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp - We Sang You Home is a gentle story about a parent's unconditional love for a child. The lullaby-style story is a great way to share connections between young readers and their adults.

Top Books Celebrating Native American Culture for 3-5 Year Olds

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer- In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. A beautiful new classic perfect for fall. Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this picture book for 3-7-year-olds is about the first Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective—reshaping the story and perhaps questioning how the United States sees itself.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom - In this tribute to Native resilience, Indigenous author-and-illustrator team Lindstrom and Goade invite readers to stand up for environmental justice. An inspiring call to action for all who care about our interconnected plane.

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell-River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again?
A heartwarming and hopeful contemporary Native American picture book for ages 4-8-year-olds about traditions, community, music, and healing, written and illustrated by Indigenous creators.

Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard - This warm and charming Native American food story depicts the diversity of indigenous peoples, the role of continuity between generations, and the adaptation of people, places, and traditions over time.

Books Celebrating Native American Culture for Kindergarten +

1. Just Like Grandma by Kim Rogers
   Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma. And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma. 

2. This Land by Ashley Fairbanks- This Land teaches readers that American land, from our backyards to our schools to Disney World, are the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations. This Land will spark curiosity and encourage readers to explore the history of the places they live and the people who have lived there throughout time and today.

3. Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud- At four years old, Ria Thundercloud was brought into the powwow circle, ready to dance in the special jingle dress her mother made for her. As she grew up, she danced with her brothers all over Indian country. Then Ria learned more styles--tap, jazz, ballet--but still loved the expressiveness of Indigenous dance. And despite feeling different as one of the only Native American kids in her school, she always knew she could turn to dance to cheer herself up.    

Why does representation matter?

Regardless of age, all people form ideas and beliefs about individuals and groups based on what we see around us and what we are told. Therefore, it is important for children to get sufficient, positive coverage of a wide range of cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Providing diverse representation in children's books is important for:

• Cultural Understanding: Exposure to diverse characters and cultures helps children develop a broader understanding of the world around them. It fosters empathy, openness to differences, and appreciation for backgrounds that are different from their own.

• Reducing Stereotypes: Diverse representation helps challenge and break down stereotypes. When children see characters from various racial and ethnic backgrounds engaged in a variety of roles and activities, it dispels narrow-minded stereotypes.

• Inclusive Identity Formation: All children, regardless of their background, benefit from seeing characteristics of themselves in the books and media they consume. It contributes to a positive self-image and a sense of identity.

• Preparation for a Diverse World: In an increasingly interconnected and diverse world, it's crucial for children to develop cultural competence. Exposure to diverse characters in literature prepares them to navigate and thrive in a society with people from various backgrounds.

• Promoting Equality: Diverse representation promotes the idea that all individuals, regardless of their background, have stories worth telling and perspectives worth sharing. It reinforces the principle of equality and inclusion.

• Cognitive Development: Exposure to diverse literature enhances cognitive development by broadening children's perspectives and encouraging critical thinking. It helps them understand that there are multiple valid viewpoints and experiences.

• Building Positive Relationships: When children encounter characters from diverse backgrounds in literature, it can positively influence their attitudes and behaviors towards individuals from different racial and ethnic groups. It lays the foundation for forming positive relationships in the real world.

Overall, diverse representation in children's books promotes a more inclusive, understanding, and harmonious society by instilling values of empathy, respect, and appreciation for diversity from an early age.