Native American Heritage Month + Thanksgiving (November Toddler Book Reading List) - Jasper's Book Club
Welcome to another edition of Jasper’s Book Club (what I’m now calling these monthly book reading lists for kids and toddlers). November is a special month in the Chamblee household because it is Native American Heritage Month or American Indian and Native Alaska Heritage Month! I knew when I was beginning to gather ideas for Jasper’s November toddler reading list that I wanted to incorporate more Native American books and stories and focus more on the spirit of Thanksgiving and not necessarily the holiday and the history itself.
Some of the books on our November Toddler Book List might not work for your family, and that’s okay. But I did want to take this moment to use my platform to encourage you to recognize American Indian and Native Alaska Heritage Month with your children in an easy way by incorporating books! A few of these books, like Squanto’s Journey, are a little above the toddler reading level and may be great for older kids but since Jasper loved his October books shelves so much I figured we could go ahead and start investing more in books that we will be able to pull out year after year as he grows.
You can find a full shoppable Amazon list of all of Jasper’s Favorite Books by clicking here!
For all of the books listed below, click the book title and you’ll be taken directly to the Amazon link where you can easily add it to your wishlist or purchase (if you’re not into thrifting).
1. Nanook
Nanook is a story of an Inuit father and son’s fishing expedition in the Alaskan tundra. It is filled with excitement and danger that instills a lifelong lesson. An exciting adventure will test Nanook’s responsibility as a young boy to prove he is ready to provide for his family. From the rushing waters and abundance of salmon of the Canning River to his close encounter with dreadful Old One Ear, Nanook’s journey leads to a message that shows the unbreakable love between Father and Son.
2. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.
Fry bread is food.
It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate.
Fry bread is time.
It brings families together for meals and new memories.
Fry bread is nation.
It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.
Fry bread is us.
It is a celebration of old and new, traditional and modern, similarity and difference.
3. Petyon Picks the Perfect Pie
Peyton is particular. But she's not picky. Grownups use that word a lot. Picky. Picky. Picky. It's never a good thing. And it's not fair. Peyton likes dogs and cats, scooters and bikes, pools and beaches. And Peyton likes to try new things. She recently mastered long division in math class and loves to practice the saxophone--as long as her adorable dog Mila doesn't howl! But Peyton is particular when it comes to food. Peyton doesn't like it when two foods touch on her plate. Peyton doesn't like green foods. Or orange foods. Or red foods. Peyton doesn't like foods that are gooey or gummy, sticky or slimy, frosted or flaky. And Peyton most definitely doesn't like chunky or lumpy foods.
Thanksgiving is our most universal holiday, beloved by adults and children. But Thanksgiving can also be a challenge for young eaters who struggle with new tastes and new experiences. Peyton is the hero of this food lover's tale and she is determined to confront her fear of new foods by finding a Thanksgiving pie she truly likes, even if it's flaky, lumpy, or chunky.
4. Save the Arctic
Nanu, a lonely polar bear, searches for dinner. The ice is melting, and the animals are disappearing! During his search, he makes an unlikely friend with Toklo, a silly beluga whale! The friends work together with a local girl, Ahnah, as they figure out how everyone can work together to help "Save the Arctic"!
*This author is a biologist and has an entire series of books about saving the planet!
5. Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
In 1620 an English ship called the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Pokanoket, and it was Squanto who welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive. When a good harvest was gathered, the people feasted together--a tradition that continues almost four hundred years later.
*This book is much more suitable for older children but I wanted to find something that told a more complete picture of the story of Thanksgiving and liked that this was from Squanto’s perspective.
6. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.
7. We Are Together
The power of love and friendship is celebrated in this beautiful book by Britta Teckentrup.
Celebrate the power of love and friendship in this beautiful book by Britta Teckentrup. With vibrant artwork and peek-through pages, this is a picture book to treasure.
*This book features adorable cutouts of the people that grow in number as you continue through the book.
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