Rabbit’s Snow Dance: A Traditional Iroquois Story is a 32-page picture book that explains why rabbits have powder puff tails and how pussy willows came to be.
Nokomis and I is the 2013 children’s book from Ojibwe artist, author and storyteller Ferguson Plain. In this offering the author explores the meaning of Ojibwe identity and culture through the role of a grandmother or Nokomis engaging her grandchild with teachings about the circle of life, the role of all living beings, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Our First Caribou Hunt is a sweet and simple introduction to Inuit hunting practices and the proper treatment of game.
I Loved Her is a picture book is about a young Métis girl’s tender recollection of her wise and loving grandmother.
The book tells the story of a Métis child and her grandfather, Pepere. Grandfather lives on a farm and every chance his granddaughter has she visits the farm. Cheyenne and her Pepere are close and each year they plant a tree. Grandfather explains the circle of life as everything living must die and return to Mother Earth
bilingual story by Métis storyteller and author Leah Marie Dorion. The story explores a Métis Elder’s remembrances of traditional teachings about generosity that were taught to him by his grandparents during his childhood.
Wisdom Weaver Bina’nitin Bidziilgo Atl’ohi is a bilingual English and Navajo picture book published by Salina Bookshelf that tells a simple story about the importance of weaving.
This picture book was written specifically by Goble to count the American slaughter of wolves and to provide a fictional story set in the distant past about two Plains children who are reunited with their family by a friendly wolf.
Trip to the Moon is a unique bilingual picture book from Inhabit Media’s imprint Inhabit Community in collaboration with the community of Pangnirtung. This exciting science fiction story about an oil drum captures the contemporary feeling of the children in this town on the coast of Baffin Island which can only be reached by sea or air.
Illustrators: Cole Good
In this Coast Salish story, to help make their children happy, the sun and the moon make the difficult choice to part from each other. The Creator allows them to visit only at the time of an eclipse and at sunrise and sunset. The great love between the sun and the moon can be seen in the beauty of those times.
In this Coast Salish story, told in the voice of a young girl, she describes how she and her Granny get ready for their naming ceremony. When the special day arrives, the Longhouse fills with people who will witness and celebrate the sharing of their traditional names.
The Kanyen’kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) open all important meetings and gatherings with the Thanksgiving Address. This speech is about being thankful to everything around us for giving us the gifts we need to live and the importance of peace.
Illustrators: Keiron Flamand
Little Metis is bored and only wishes to help his family with their daily chores in the bush. When a mischievous spirit tries to make trouble, Little Metis finds he helps them much more than he knows.
In this story about a young boy and his Mishomis (grandfather), the author presents the reader with a moving story that explains the significance of the eagle feather in Ojibwe culture. The young boy grows up listening to his grandfather’s teaching and stories.
This spooky novel is set in Toronto in the 1960’s and has been added to our collection just in time for Halloween! Two young girls, Polly and Rose, retreat to their attics to escape their loneliness and isolation. Polly lives in a house bursting at the seams with people, while Rose is often left alone by her busy parents. Polly is a down-to-earth dreamer with a wild imagination and an obsession with ghosts; Rose is a quiet ethereal waif with a sharp tongue. Despite their differences, both girls spend their fays feeling invisible and seek solace in books and the cozy confines of the wall. they develop an unlikely friendship, and Polly is ecstatic to learn that Rose can actually see and talk to ghosts. But is there more to Rose than it seems? Why does no one talk to her? Why does she look so ghostly? When the girls find a tombstone with Rose’s name on it in the cemetery and encounter an angry spirit in her house who seems intent on hurting Polly, they have to unravel the mystery of Rose and her strange family…before it’s too late.
On the island everything is perfect and only one thing ever changes: on that day each year when a boat appears from the mist upon the ocean carrying one young child to join them – and taking the eldest one away, never to be seen again.
Today’s changing is no different. The boat arrives, taking away Jinny’s best friend, Deen, replacing him with anew little girl named Ess, and leaving Jinny as the new Elder. Jinny knows her responsibility now – to teach Ess everything she needs to know about the island, to keep things as they’ve always been. But will she be ready for the new inevitable day when the boat will come back – and take her away forever from the only home she’s known?
For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises – some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take of until she can hand him over to a wile-animal shelter.
But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show him mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet.
The Institute of Child study Library is excited to announce that eight new novels from this series have been added to our collection (volumes 2 through 8)! This series of adventure novels was written by a collaboration of authors Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carmen, Linda Sue Park, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Roland Smith, David Baldacci, Jeff Hirsch, Natalie Standirod, C. Alexander London, Sarwat Chadda and Jenny Goebel. These novels consist of five series, which chronicle the adventures of two siblings Amy and Dan Cahill, who have discovered that their family, the Cahills, have been the most influential family in history.
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
This is a wonderfully silly graphic-novel that features three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is really a good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever – even though it doesn’t have any words or pictures!
Ben Clanton showcases the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together and the power of imagination in this delightful tale, which will inspire a love of reading in your children.
Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventory, avid reader naval leader – AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker. Acclaimed author Laurie Wallmark once again tells the riveting story of a trailblazing woman. Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English”. Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and defying expectations, insatiably curious, Hopper was truly amazing as a role model for science and math minded boys and girls. This book brings Hopper’s incredible accomplishments to life through witty quotes, and richly detailed illustrations.
A young mermaid, called Fish Girl, in a boardwalk aquarium has a chance encounter with an ordinary girl. Their growing friendship inspires Fish Girl’s longing for freedom, independence and a life beyond the aquarium tank. Sparkling with humor and brilliantly visualized, Fish Girl’s story will resonate with every young person facing the rewards and challenges of growing up.
Discover the fascinating world of crystals and gems – their beauty, uses, structures and amazing variety. Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the amazing world of crystals and gems. Superb color photographs of crystals, jewels and gemstones of every colour, shape, and size offer a unique eyewitness insight into their extraordinary beauty and variety.
The story of the Titanic’s tragic maiden voyage still tugs at the heartstrings and sparks universal curiosity – Eyewitness Titanic discovers the story behind the story. From a Belfast shipyard to the ship’s death in the icy Atlantic, the story comes alive though 30D renderings, photographs, and deck plans. Eyewitness Titanic is a compelling narrative of courage and cowardice, sacrifice, and survival. See the wreck on the ocean floor, the ship’s gigantic propeller, and the ship’s luxurious interior. Learn how survivors were rescued from the icy waters and how the shipwreck was located. Discover what caused the “unsinkable” Titanic to sink, the preservation techniques of underwater archeology, and much, much more.
This book explores the history of treaties between indigenous peoples in Canada, the development of treaties between indigenous peoples and European settlers, treaty rights and obligations, the different views regarding treaties and what they represent, modern treaties, and how treaties are likely to be interpreted in the future.
The book explores the history of the relationship between indigenous peoples and European settlers in Canada, government treaties and Acts of Parliament, the residential school system, the role of the government and other organizations, the impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and what lies ahead in the future.
This book explores the history of Indigenous government in Canada, the various treatments and Acts of Parliament that have influenced the development of government systems across the country, the role of the Canadian federal government, the nature of indigenous governance today, and the future of Indigenous self-government in Canada.
Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule-until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongos. She had to keep quiet.
She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option…until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived.
He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
The story of the War, brought to life through illustrations, photographs, diaries, and newspaper reports. In this illustrated exploration of World War I, readers discover what caused the war and why it eventually affected every corner of the globe. The key battles, events, and figures are all explored and recounted in succinct and easy-to understand text while illustrations and photographs bring the past vividly back to life.
Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring vibrant mixed-media art full of intricate detail, Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with a message of hope, determination, and strength.
Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.
When Lizzie’s parents are granted their freedom from slavery, Mama says its time for Lizzie and her brother Paul to go to a real school–a new one, built just for them. Lizzie can’t wait. The scraps of learning she has picked up here and there have just made her hungry for more. The walk to school is long. Some days it’s rainy, or windy, or freezing cold. Sometimes there are dangers lurking along the way, like angry white folks with rocks, or mysterious men on horseback. The schoolhouse is still unpainted, and its very plain, but Lizzie has never seen a prettier sight. Except for maybe the teacher, Mizz Howard, who has brown skin, just like her.
Young naturalists meet sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to explore informative sidebars, which underscore specific ways each bird uses its feathers for a variety of practical purposes.
Despite her name, Clover has always felt decidedly unlucky. So when she stumbles upon a mysterious cottage in the Woods, she can hardly believe her good fortune. It’s the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and it houses creatures of all kinds. Fairy horses, unicorns, and a fiery young dragon are just the beginning! Mr. Jams, the Agency’s owner, agrees to hire her as summer helper and Clover hopes her luck has finally changed. But when she’s left alone to care for the Agency, a sneaky witch comes after the magical creatures! Will Clover outsmart her in time to protect the animals?
In the second book in the GUARDIANS OF GA’HOOLE series, Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger travel to the Great Ga’Hoole Tree, a mythical place where an order of owls rises each night to perform noble deeds. Soren and his group are seeking help to fight the evil they discovered in the owl world (in GUARDIANS #1). After a harrowing journey, they arrive at the Great Ga’Hoole Tree and learn they will need to stay to receive training from the Ga’Hoolian elders.
The Wolf-Birds takes an honest, unflinching view of survival in the wild, highlighting the fact that one animal’s life helps many others live. Based on scientific data and anecdotal reports from Aboriginal hunters, the book explores the fascinating symbiotic relationship shared by wolves and ravens. Because ravens follow and scavenge food from wolves — which scientists believe hints at an ecological relationship thousands of years old — ravens have been dubbed “wolf-birds.”
Now that Soren has been reunited with his sister, Eglantine, he must face his next challenge: making sense of the mysterious disappearance of his mentor, Ezylryb. When Soren discovers that Ezylryb is in danger, he and his friends Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger devise a plan to save the beloved teacher.
Soren’s beloved mentor, Ezylryb, is finally back at the Great Ga’Hoole Tree. There’s a war between good and evil in the owl kingdom. On one side is a group led by Soren’s fearsome brother, Kludd, who wears a terrifying metal mask to cover his battle-scarred face. On the other are the owls of the Great Ga’Hoole Tree, who must fight to protect their legendary tree from Kludd’s attacks. Soren, his friends, and the other owls at the Great Ga’Hoole Tree enter into fierce combat against Kludd.
One of the best parts of a young child’s day is opening a lunchbox and diving in. But how did that delicious food get there? From planting wheat to mixing dough, climbing trees to machine-squeezing fruit, picking cocoa pods to stirring a vat of melted bliss, here is a clear, engaging look at the steps involved in producing some common foods. Health tips and a peek at basic food groups complete the menu.
Did you know that the cotton for your jeans was picked from a bush? How did the colorful wool in your sweater get from a sheep’s back to a ball of yarn? Where did your soccer uniform, your rain boots, and your fleece jacket come from? And what does recycling plastic bottles have to do with anything? Visit farms, forests, and factories all over the world to find out how everything you wear has a story behind it. Back matter includes an author’s note, an illustrator’s note, a bibliography, and an index.
In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war. Harry Colebourn’s real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey–from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England…
Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play the instrument. By the time she was a teenager, Melba s extraordinary gift for music led her to the world of jazz. She joined a band led by trumpet player Gerald Wilson and toured the country. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century
Open the gates of the Wonder Garden to explore five of Earth’s most extraordinary habitats, each filled with incredible creatures and epic scenery. Trek through the Amazon Rainforest, travel to the Chihuahuan Desert, dive in the Great Barrier Reef, delve deep into the Black Forest and stand on the roof of the world – the Himalayan Mountains – to see nature at its wildest.
Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist. But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing.
Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She’s thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different – not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father. When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.
Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together.
When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade, with a lump on your head! As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad.
For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.
Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution.
At some point every child seeks reassurance that the academic challenges faced in school are meaningful. These questions become much more poignant when posed by an aboriginal child whose western—style schooling is so different from the native ways in which he was trained by his elders. A young boy of Cree heritage seeks this guidance from his grandmother—his Nokum—in this picture book and audio set, the first in a forthcoming series of bilingual picture books highlighting some of the First Nations people in North America.
This is the story of a drop of water, told by a gifted science writer and illustrated with remarkable paintings. Meredith Hooper takes us back thousands of years to see where the Earth’s water came from, and how life began in the oceans and later moved onto land. She describes the water cycle, the relationship between water and living things and between water and erosion. She also discusses important environmental issues and provides a fascinating collection of water facts.
T’Kope and Klale are two wolf cubs found near a village on the Pacific Northwest coast and raised as human children. Although they are close, the brothers are very different. Klale feels most at home on land. While T’kope is more comfortable in the sea. One day, a supernatural transformation sends the brothers on separate paths that lead them far, far away from each other – Klale to the foret and T’kope t the depths of the ocean. Although they make new friends, including Hummingbird and Sea Bear, the bond that unites the brothers of the Wolf proves unbreakable
When Hana announces that she’ll be playing violin in the school talent show, her brothers laugh so hard they nearly fall out of a tree. But Hana doesn’t let that stop her – she practices and practices, inspired by memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojichan, a professional violinist. But when the day of the performance arrives, will she be able to overcome a sudden case of nerves?
A boy collects objects from the wilderness to take back home. As his pouch fills with treasure, the boy hears behind him strange sounds that get louder and louder. He wonders if the dreaded Night Walker has come to snatch him, or has his imagination carried him too far!
In the remote north, a young girl calls on the raven to take her on a magical journey through the air, under the sea and finally to a warm fire, where elders sit and the native spirits dance.
What was it like growing up in the Deep South when Jim Crow laws were everywhere? Paula Young Shelton, a daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young, and Raul Colon take readers on a vivid trip back to Paula’s childhood in an extraordinary family – the family of the American civil rights movement.
Hattie, a big black hen, discovers a fox in the bushes, which creates varying reactions in the other barnyard animals.
A child describes all the things there are to do on a rainy day.
Up in the garden, the world is full of green – leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting, skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden their home. Discover the wonder and activity that lie hidden between the stalks, under the shade of leaves and down in the dirt.
You may also be interested in another incredible book by this author and illustrator: Over and Under the Snow.
Here is the story of one owl’s first year and its struggle to survive. Fed by his parents, Ookpik, which means “snowy owl” in the Inuit language, grows quickly in the short Arctic summer. By autumn he has learned to hunt on his own, but prey is scarce on the tundra that year. The owl’s instincts tell him that he must leave this land or starve. And so an epic journey begins. Ookpik flies south, over the great forests of Canada, stopping at a remote farm, passing Ottawa and finally landing in the United States, always searching for food and a winter hunting ground.
This story is told from the perspective of a young child at an amusement park. The whole book has holes on each page and children love finding the holes and discovering how they make pictures and words!
All the birds tease old Crow for his scraggly feathers and harsh call, especially proud Cardinal. But when Cardinal gets into trouble, there is only one creature smart enough to get him out. Will crow choose to help the bird that tormented him? This picture book is inspired by Aesop’s Fablesand teaches that “pride and foolishness often roost on the same branch.”
Grayson Sender has been holding on to a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, born into the wrong gender’s body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Will new strength and support from unexpected places be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?
A novel about identity, self-esteem and friendship.
The Masked Man is on the loose in the Land of Stories, and its up to Alex and Conner Bailey to stop him…except Alex has been thrown off the Fairy Council, and no one will believe they’re in danger.
With only the help of the ragtag group of Goldilocks, Jack, Red Riding Hood, and Mother Goose and her gander, Lester, the Bailey twins discover the Masked Man’s secret scheme: He possesses a powerful magic potion that turns every book it touches into a portal, and he is recruiting an army of literature’s greatest villains!
Be sure to read the first 3 books in this series by Chris Colfer:
The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell
The Land of Stories – The Enchantress Returns
The Land of Stories – A Grimm Warning
Thanks to their dad, Josh Bell and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court, with crossovers that make even the toughest ballers cry. But Josh has more than hoops in his blood. He’s got a river of rhymes flowing through him – a sick flow that helps him find his rhythm when everything’s on the line. As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets the new girl in school, the twins’ tight-knit bond unravels. Basketball and brotherhood intertwine to show Josh and Jordan that life doesn’t come with a playbook and, sometimes, it’s not about winning.
Things are changing in the Gaither household. After soaking up a “power to the people” mind-set over the summer, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern return to Brooklyn with a newfound streak of independence. Pa has a girlfriend, Uncle Darnell is home from Vietname, but he’s not the same. And a new singing group called the Jackson Five has the girls seeing stars. But the one thing that doesn’t change? Big Ma still expects Delphone to keep everything together. That’s even harder now that her sisters refuse to be bossed around, and now that Pa’s girlfriend voices her own opinions about things. Through letters, Delphine confides in her mother, who reminds her not to grow up too fast. To be elven while she can.
Be sure to check-out One Crazy Summer, also by Rita Williams-Garcia!