Before moving on to talk book suggestions for National Indigenous History Month, I think we should briefly look at what’s going on in TODAY in Canada. Historical effects of trauma suffered from the atrocities of residential schools affect individuals, families, communities to this day. Government promises are made regularly to combat systemic racism, human rights abuses, police brutality, and over-representation in the criminal justice system. The neglect of reported crimes committed against Indigenous girls and women continues (see the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). You can also take a look at author David Alexander Robertson’s thread regarding Indigenous individuals who have died within police custody or at the hands of police since April of this year.

As a librarian, I often turn to reader’s advisory when thinking ‘what can I do?’. How do I or can I support National Indigenous History Month in the face of historical and present-day tragedies? What can be done? Librarians often put together book lists. We recommend titles. We research. Continue educating, listening, reflecting, learning from mistakes, attend seminars, and support authors. Update collections. Listen. Amplify Indigenous voices. Change storytimes, update read aloud selections, or plan different book talks (if we’re in children’s librarianship).

As I spoke to in the previous post, combating (and dismantling) systemic racism cannot be accomplished by crafting book lists, by buying books, or just by reading. Taking ACTION, confronting racism, and critical assessment is also something one must take one. So, this reading list is but one something I can do in this space. Now. And something I can do year-round, in and outside of librarianship: continue to read and amplify Indigenous writers and illustrators, and do even more as a reader, reviewer and librarian to support Indigenous creators.

I will take the time now to feature picture books and board books by Indigenous authors, illustrators and creators. Some of the titles on this list are favourites, some are older, some are new (or not yet released!); just a few are children’s non-fiction. Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive; there are carefully put-together reading lists online for National Indigenous History Month (just check who is publishing the list and which voices are being featured). I would also like to note that Canada is home to some tremendous Indigenous-run publishers, as well as non-Indigenous publishers who feature Indigenous voices and creators. You can take a look through the catalogues of publishers such as: Inhabit Media, Theytus Books, Kegedonce Press, or browse online shops such as Native Northwest: Art by Indigenous Artists. Non-Indigenous publishers such as HighWater Press (an imprint of Portage & Main Pres), Second Story Press and Orca Book Publishers also publish and feature Indigenous creators in their catalogues.

Underneath the cover photo gallery you will find the list of titles and authors/illustrators. In no particular order, here are the titles:

• Discovering Animals: English, French, Cree by Neepin Auger (board book)
• Discovering Numbers: English, French, Cree by Neepin Auger (2nd ed.) (board book)
• Learn & Play with First Nations and Native Art [various contributors] (board book)
• Learn the Colours with Northwest Coast Native Art [various contributors] (board book)
• Sharing Our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast [various contributors] (board book)
• I’m Dreaming of…Animals of the Native Northwest by Melaney Gleeson-Lyall and other contributing artists (board book)
• Mi’kmaw Animals by Alan Syliboy (board book)
• Ojibway Animals by Jason Adair (board book)
• Black and White: Visual Stimulation Images for Babies by Morgan Asoyuf (board book)
• Where is Mouse Woman?: A Haida Journey by Gryn White (board book)
• Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk, illus. Alexandria Neonakis (board book)
• Life Cycles of Caribou by Monica Ittusardjuat, illus. Emma Pedersen (board book)
• May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp, photographs by Tea & Bannock collective (board book)
• Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns by Richard Van Camp, photographs by various contributors (board book)
• Kiss by Kiss II Ocêtôwina by Richard Van Camp, translated by Mary Cardinal Collins (board book)
• Little You by Richard Van Camp, illus. Julie Flett (board book)
• We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp, illus. Julie Flett (board book)
• My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, illus. Julie Flett (board book)
• Black Bear Red Fox: Colours in Cree by Julie Flett (board book)
• We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers by Julie Flett (board book)
• What’s My Superpower? by Aviaq Johnston, illus. Tim Mack
• I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe, illus. Pauline Young
• I’m Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas, illus. Pauline Young
• The Owl and the Lemming by Roselynn Akulukjuk, illus. Amanda Sandland
• Mamaqtuq! by The Jerry Cans, illus. Eric Kim
• Fishing with Grandma by Maren Vsetula & Susan Avingaq, illus. Charlene Chua
• Akilak’s Adventure by Deborah Kigjugalik Webster, illus. Charlene Chua
• Elisapee and Her Baby Seagull by Nancy Mike, illus. by Charlene Chua
• The Pencil by Susan Avingaq & Maren Vsetula, illus. Charlene Chua
• A Walk on the Tundra by Rebecca Hainnu & Anna Ziegler, illus. Qin Leng
• Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story adapted from the memories of Donald Uluadluak, illus.Qin Leng
• ᓇᑦᑎᖅ Nattiq and the Land Of Statues by Barbara Landry, illus. Martha Kyak
• The Littlest Sled Dog by Michael Kusugak, illus. Vladyana Krykorka
• Sus Yoo II The Bear’s Medicine by Clayton Gauthier, translated by Danny Alexis & Theresa Austin
• Keeshig and the Ojibwe Pterodactyls by Keeshig Spade & Celeste Pedri-Spade, illus. Robert Spade & Kiniw Spade
• Tanna’s Owl by Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, illus. Yong Ling Kang
• In My Anaana’s Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. Lenny Lishchenko
• Celebrating Toonik Time by Nadia Sammurtock, illus. Tim Mack
• What Can Ataata Fix? by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. Emma Pedersen
• A Walk on the Tundra by Rebecca Hainnu & Anna Ziegler, illus. Qin Leng
• Wild Eggs: A Tale of Arctic Egg Collecting by Suzie Napayok-Short, illus. Jonathan Wright
• In the Sky at Nighttime by Laura Deal, illus. Tamara Campeau
• I Am Loved by Kevin and Mary Qamaniq-Mason, illus. Hwei Lim
• Kits, Cubs, and Calves: An Arctic Summer by Suzie Napayok-Short, illus. by Tamara Campeau
• The Muskox and the Caribou by Nadia Mike, illus. Tamara Campeau
• Una Huna?: What is This? by Susan Aglukark | Illustrated by Amanda Sandland and Danny Christopher
• Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock by Dallas Hunt, illus. Amanda Strong
• Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams by Cindy Blackstock, illus. Amanda Strong
• Meennunyakaa II Blueberry Patch by Jennifer Leason, written and translated by Norman Chartrand
• Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom (The Seven Teachings Stories) by Katherena Vermette, illus. Irene Kuziw
• The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette, illus. Julie Flett
• ᐅᓕᒍᖅ Alego by Ningeokuluk Teevee, translated by Nina Manning-Toonoo
• Dragonfly Kites II Pimithaagansa by Tomson Highway, illus. Julie Flett
• Caribou Song II Atihko Nikamon by Tomson Highway, illus. John Rombough
• Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, illus. Kim La Fave
• Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell, illus. Kim LaFave
• Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom (The Seven Teachings Stories) by Katherena Vermette, illus. Irene Kuziw
• The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette, illus. Julie Flett
• A Day with Yayah by Nicola I. Campbell, illus. Julie Flett
• Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer : L’alfabet di Michif II Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet by Julie Flett
• The Moccassins by Earl Einarson, illus. Julie Flett
• Zoe and the Fawn by Catherine Jameson, illus. Julie Flett
• Wild berries II Pikaci-mīnisa by Julie Flett
• Birdsong by Julie Flett
• When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson, illus. Julie Flett
• You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith, illus. Danielle Daniel
• Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel
• The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson
• The Train by Jodie Callaghan, illus. Georgia Lesley
• It’s Time for Bed by Ceporah Mearns & Jeremy Debicki, illus. Tim Mack
• When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith, illus. Nadine Neidhardt
• Swift Fox All Along by Rebecca Thomas, illus. Maya McKibbon
• The Origin of Day and Night by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt, illus. Lenny Lishchenko (non-fiction)
• Sukaq and the Raven by Kerry McCluskey & Roy Goose, illus. by Soyeon Kim (non-fiction)
• Making a Whole Person: Traditional Inuit Education by Monica Ittusardjuat, illus. Yong Ling Kang (non-fiction)

Regarding thoughts related to the current climate, I cannot parse and phrase my thoughts as well as other writers, authors, creators, library workers, activists, and people of the world have done over the last few days, weeks (and decades). But I will say this: Black Lives Matter. Full stop. Speaking from my perspective as a white Canadian and librarian: Librarianship is still overwhelmingly white, and I would argue that libraries need to reassess, re-evaluate, and truly think long and hard and have a difficult talk about: what we buy for our collections; what and who we promote in our collections; who and what we promote for reader’s advisory; what we feature in our collections; what books we present in storytimes; who we book talk; what outdated and/or racist items we weed from our collections; what programs we allow in our public spaces; who occupies library positions; whether you represent a passive institution; and how we can do MORE within and outside of the library.

One cannot, to borrow from historian and bestselling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, simply say, I’m not a racist! Of course the library is not a racist institution! One must be actively antiracist. From Dr. Kendi’s How to Be An Antiracist: “being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination”. I don’t know how many people (in and out of libraries) want to do this work, but it is necessary. It will be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. Tying this to librarianship, reviewing, and being an active reader, author, columnist, and founder of The Fold, Jael Richardson had this to say on Twitter, with regard to taking a critical look at one’s bookshelves: “You may not be or feel racist. But ask yourself, IS YOUR BOOKSHELF? Who’s there? Who’s not? If you’re a parent with lots of kids books, are there people of color? Are they Canadian (if you’re Canadian you know why this matters)? Who’s centered on the cover?”. I can honestly say that it was not until I started interacting more widely with- and mostly, just LISTENING TO and reading notes from- librarians, authors, illustrators, and creators over social media a few years back that I recognized HOW LACKING my home collection was. (Which lead to a look at publishing, purchasing, and reading habits….This also lead to my critically considering HOW FAR public library children’s collections- and the library staff representing institutions- STILL MUST GO towards actually diversifying and confronting its overwhelming whiteness). To that end, I continue to work. To not be passive. To read, listen, learn, learn from mistakes, to actively process and examine what books I buy, why, who features, and what books I read and share.

As just a start, I would like to present newer picture book titles by Black authors and/or illustrators/creators to incorporate into storytimes (whether at home or in your library, etc.). I would argue that storytimes in libraries have been either overwhelmingly centered white characters or animals. Here, as just one small beginning step, are some ideas (this is by no means an exhaustive list!! Look online for further carefully curated lists!!) for books to welcome into your home storytime or for read aloud in preschools, daycares, or elementary schools (or even high schools). (Please note: this list is in no particular order!; some are non-fiction, some are board books, some are on my must-read, while some may not yet be released):

• Saturday by Oge Mora
• Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
• The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illus. Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
• Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander, illus. Melissa Sweet
• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illus. Kadir Nelson
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. Rafael López
• Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon, illus. Kaylani Juanita
• M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose
• Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! by Janay Brown-Wood, illus. Priscilla Burris
• Another by Christian Robinson
• You Matter by Christian Robinson
• Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, illus. Elizabeth Zunon
• Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy, illus. Ekua Holmes
• The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, illus. Ekua Holmes
• Henry and Bea by Jessixa Bagley
• Fresh Princess by Denene Millner, illus. Gladys Jose
• I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illus. Frank Morrison
• I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illus. Frank Morrison
• Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illus. Vashti Harrison
• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illus. Vashti Harrison
• Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison (board book)
• Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illus. Ashley Lukashevsky (board book)
• B Is for Baby by Atinuke, illus. Angela Brooksbank (board book)
• Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illus. Bryan Collier
• Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, illus. Dapo Adeola
• My Hair is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera
• Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illus. Ebony Glenn
• Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illus. Ebony Glenn
• Speak Up by Miranda Paul, illus. Ebony Glenn
• Don’t Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller
• Princess Hair by Sharee Miller
• Layla’s Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, illus. Ashleigh Corrin
• Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illus. Daniel Minter
• Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illus. Brittany Jackson
• I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illus. Keturah A. Bobo
• I Believe I Can by Grace Byers, illus. Keturah A. Bobo
• Malaika’s Costume (Malaika #1) by Nadia L. Hohn, illus. Irene Luxbacher
• Malaika’s Winter Carnival (Malaika #2) by Nadia L. Hohn, illus. Irene Luxbacher
• Tallulah The Tooth Fairy CEO by Tamara Pizzoli, illus. Federico Fabiani
• Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel, illus. Shane W. Evans
• Woke Baby by Mahogany L. Browne, illus. Theodore Taylor III
• The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan, illus. Thomas Knight
• I Love Me! by LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss, illus. Beth Hughes
• Boonoonoonous Hair by Olive Senior, illus. Laura James
• Africville by Shauntay Grant, illus. Eva Campbell
• Brown Baby Lullaby by by Tameka Fryer Brown, illus. A.G. Ford
• Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe
• Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Amanda Redd, illus. Nneka Myers
• Brown Sugar Babe by Charlotte Watson Sherman, illus. Akem Akem
• The Stone Thrower by Jael Ealey Richardson, illus. Matt James