Vertical Files
- Subject HeadingsThe majority of our vertical files are organized according to our classification system and are catalogued. Some of the vertical files are organized alphabetically by subject. The following Word document can help you locate these items.
Xwi7xwa Library Guide
Indigenous Children's Literature Research Guide QR Code
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Indigenous Children's Literature
Over the last decade there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Aboriginal and Indigenous writers, illustrators, and publishers in the children's book world. While the numbers of books published about and by Indigenous people are still low (the Cooperative Children's Book Centre's figures show that only 1.9% of books in 2017 contained significant Indigenous representation, while only 1% of titles were written by Indigenous authors) this research guides aims to highlight the great work currently being done in both children's and young adult publishing. We hope it will offer an useful introduction to Aboriginal and Indigenous children's and young adult literature, as well as Aboriginal and Indigenous children's authors, illustrators, and critics.
Selected New Works
Features Organizations and Initiatives
- Strong Nations
Indigenous publisher and retailer based in Nanaimo, BC. Alongside book publishing and distribution, their website offers resources designed to support teachers and schools. These include lesson plans as well as a site navigation option which allows readers to browse titles recommended by provincial and national education committees.
Indigenous Children's Literature Bibliographies
- Indigenous #KidLitWomen Guide
By critic Dr. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo). Created as part of the March 2018 #KidLitWomen campaign as a way to uphold and amplify the voices of Indigenous women writers in children's publishing. - Native American Children's Literature Recommended Reading List
Curated by Dr. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo) and produced in 2016, this resource offers a collection of recommended reads organised by age range, as well as ten ways to make a difference and improve #NativeReads representation in your school, library, or local community. - American Indians in Children's Literature's Best Books of 2017
While many of the links in this list feature the work of Dr. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), American Indians in Children's Literature is still her main focus and the site of ongoing, in-depth critique of Indigenous representation in children's literature. The site also features annual round-ups of the best books of the last year, such as the 2017 collection shared here. - #IndigenousReads by Indigenous Writers: A Children's Reading List
This 2017 resource, created by The Conscious Kid Library, American Indian's in Children's Literature, and Brooklyn Children's Museum focusses on picture books and board books for younger readers. - Must Read Indigenous Childrens' Book List
Muskrat is an online Indigenous arts and culture magazine. Their 2016 list of Indigenous Children's Books features several familiar titles alongside works which are a little less well-known. - Hear Our Stories: Canadian Children's Book Centre
This list showcases Indigenous and Aboriginal children's literature published in Canada, alongside several interviews with writers like Michael Kusugak and David Alexander Robertson. Despite being produced in 2015 and featuring a couple of non-Indigenous creators, this is still a useful resource.
