Looking for Indigenous Peoples’ Day picture books?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is coming up soon, and it’s so important to teach our students about the rich cultures and histories of Native peoples in a respectful way.

That’s why I’m excited to share some of the best picture books for Indigenous Peoples‘ Day!

As a 3rd grade teacher, I know how challenging it can be to introduce such important topics in a way that’s meaningful and age-appropriate for young students.

These books are a wonderful way to help your students learn about the diverse traditions and resilience of Indigenous peoples while honoring their stories.

The List of Indigenous Peoples’ Day Picture Books!

Fry Bread

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story is a wonderful book that shares the story of a Native American family making fry bread together. It shows how this special food connects them to their culture and traditions. The book also includes some background on the history of fry bread and its significance in Native American communities.

This book is a great pick for Indigenous Peoples’ Day! It’s an engaging way for kids to learn about Native American traditions and the importance of family and heritage. The illustrations are colorful, and the story is both educational and heartwarming, making it perfect for helping children appreciate and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

Check it out HERE.

Jingle Dancer

Jingle Dancer is a story about a young Native American girl named Jenna who wants to participate in a traditional powwow. Jenna’s special goal is to have her dress jingling with the sound of tiny metal cones, a beautiful tradition in her culture. She learns how to make her dress jingle by collecting old cones from her family and friends, and her journey to create a beautiful, unique dress is inspiring.

This book is a wonderful choice for Indigenous Peoples’ Day! It beautifully shows the importance of cultural traditions and community. The illustrations are vibrant and the story is engaging, making it perfect for young readers. Through Jenna’s journey, children can learn about the significance of traditions and the value of family and community support. It’s a great way to celebrate and honor Indigenous cultures with a touching and educational story.

Check it out HERE.

Josie Dances

Josie Dances is a delightful book about Josie, a young Indigenous girl who is passionate about dancing. The vibrant illustrations and engaging text beautifully capture how Josie’s dance connects her to her family and cultural traditions.

This book is a great pick for Indigenous Peoples’ Day because it introduces children to the importance of celebrating and understanding Indigenous cultures in an accessible and enjoyable way. It’s a perfect choice to help kids appreciate and honor these rich traditions.

Check it out HERE.

We Are Grateful

This picture book by Traci Sorell highlights the Cherokee tradition of expressing gratitude through the seasons. It introduces readers to Cherokee culture, language, and the importance of community and nature, making it a meaningful read for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Vibrant illustrations and simple text make this a great book for introducing young readers to Cherokee traditions and the concept of gratitude. Perfect for classroom discussions and a wonderful addition to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

Check it out HERE.

Need more Indigenous Peoples’ Day Resources?

If you’re looking for reading comprehension passages for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I’ve got you covered!

I have reading comprehension passages that come in paper AND a digital version that auto-grades!

Check it out HERE if you’d like to add something extra to your lessons!

I hope this list of picture books helps make your Indigenous Peoples’ Day lessons a little easier and a lot more meaningful. Teaching about Indigenous cultures and history can feel like a big responsibility, but with the right resources, we can honor these stories in a way that sticks with our students.

If you have any favorite books or activities for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I’d love to hear about them in the comments! Let’s keep supporting each other through the ups and downs of teaching – we’ve got this!

Want a Halloween FREEBIE?!

You will LOVE this Halloween digital mystery picture!

It is a digital color-by-number for students to practice multiplication facts!

(You can also learn more about this digital mystery pictures in my blog post here).

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