Each November we celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities during National Native American Heritage Month.
These picture books from our collection highlight stories of modern Native Americans.
Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud; Illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller
Finding my Dance is an inspiring picture book that describes how professional dancer Ria Thundercloud began dancing at age four. She first danced to the beat of drums alongside her family dressed in a handmade jingle dress at a powwow. Each summer her family traveled from state to state performing at Native American events. As a teenager, Ria exceled at dancing; learning about different forms and styles. Dancing helped her manage her shyness and feelings of being an outsider as the only Indigenous girl in her class. Dancing also gave her a new way to express herself and helped her cope when things were difficult.
Brave by Weshoyot AlvitreBe the bravest person you can be. Your ancestors’ strength is inside you.
Weshoyot Alvitre's beautifully illustrated picture book explains the cultural significance of braided hair among for Native Americans and includes a touching story about a father sharing his boyhood experiences with his son. In the book, the father explains how his father and grandfather felt about being forced to wear their hair short.
New York Times bestselling and Caldecott award winning author, Carol Lindstrom also writes about the cultural significance of hair in Indigenous cultures in this colorfully illustrated picture book for young readers.
My Powerful Hair chronicles important events in a young girl's life like the birth of a brother and a grandparent’s passing by remembering how she wore her hair in those moments, whether braided or straight, long, or short.
Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck; Illustrated by Madelyn GoodnightRock Your Mocks shows children from many different tribes making art, dancing, playing, singing, and listening to stories wearing their beaded moccasins.
Rock Your Mocs Day began in 2011 as a way for Indigenous people to show their Native pride. The celebration started when Jessica “Jaylyn” Atsye from Laguna Pueblo’s tribe in New Mexico suggested wearing moccasins as a way to honor Indigenous heritage. Now people from around the world share photographs online each year on November 15.
Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
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