AWARD WINNING FIRST NATIONS BOOKS

Coyote Tales by Thomas King, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler 

This children's book by award-winning novelist Thomas King tells two fables featuring the trickster Coyote. In Coyote Sings to the Moon, Coyote must get the Moon back into the sky after he insults it and causes Moon to plunge into a pond, sending the world into darkness. In Coyote's New Suit, the mischievous Raven insists that Coyote's brown suit is not the finest in the forest. Coyote then steals the suits of the other animals while Raven convinces the animals to steal clothes from the humans. Raven then suggests Coyote have a yard sale — which becomes chaotic as both the humans and animals show up looking for their lost clothes.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox is a children's introduction to the idea of totem animals, a deeply rooted Anishinaabe tradition. In a series of short poems that are accompanied by illustrations of children wearing masks, the book explains the idea of identifying with a chosen animal. Written and illustrated by Danielle Daniel, Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox also describes how totem animals can act as guides for people seeking to understand themselves and their place in the world better. 

Nokum is My Teacher by David Bouchard, illustrated by Allen Sapp

Written by award-winning Métis poet and author David Bouchard and illustrated by Cree elder and Governor General's Literary Award-winning painter Allen Sapp, Nokum Is My Teacher is the poetic story about a young Indigenous boy who asks his Nokum (grandmother) a series of questions about the world outside of their community. Nokum gives her grandson an appreciation for his tradition as well as an understanding of how to fit into life off of the reserve — while still respecting the ways of his people. This children's book was the recipient of the Ânskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year and was a bronze medallist for the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards in 2007.