Picture Books for #classroombookaday during Native American Heritage Month & All Year Long

Edit 11/1/19:
It was brought to my attention that in centering my work I neglected to recognize the work of Native librarians and scholars who have been doing this work for many years. In my efforts to promote quality books, I missed the chance to amplify voices of Native scholars / organizations / sites that are my go-to resources for finding Native perspectives and guidance on evaluating books with Native content. I am adding several of them to the beginning of this post and encourage you to visit/follow them, read their work, and use their recommendations to guide your book selection. They have all informed my work, practice, & understanding of Native Nations' cultures and representation.

A first place to go for recommendations on books with Native creators/content is the American Indian Library Association's American Indian Youth Literature Award. Every other year, since 2006, "the AIYLA identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by and about Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity." Their award will also be announced as part of the ALA Youth Media Awards announcements for the first time in January 2020.

Dr. Debbie Reese’s website, American Indians in Children’s Literature, is one of my go-to resources for finding critical reviews of children’s literature with Indigenous content. I have learned much from her and her critiques about the essential need for representation that is accurate and authentic in books about Native Nations and peoples. She also includes yearly best books recommendations.

Oyate "a Native organization working to see that our lives and histories are portrayed with honesty and integrity, and that all people know that our stories belong to us. For Indian children growing up in the 21st century, it is as important as ever for them to know who they are and learn about the histories that they come from. For all children, it is time to know and acknowledge the truths of history. Only then will they come to have the understanding and respect for each other that now, more than ever, will be necessary for life to continue."

Cynthia Leitich Smith is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, children's book author of picture books to young adult. She also promotes Native books and creators and has kidlit recommendations on her site.

Indigo's Bookshelf is a blog by the teens & young adults behind the twitter account @OfGlades.

Original Post 10/30/19:
My November #classroombookday post for Follett Community this year shares my picture book recommendations for Honoring Voices of Native Nations. My post is timed to align with Native American Heritage Month, but I hope you'll share these books with your students throughout the year, not just in November, because all students deserve to be represented in the classroom all year long. Please visit this link to read my entire post supporting these recommendations with more context and guidance for critically analyzing Native representation in books you choose to share with students.

All of my Follett #classroombookaday posts/webinars & this year's book recommendation lists are at bit.ly/heisefollett. All of my info on #classroombookaday is at classroombookaday.com.

Also important for when you are searching for titles, I compiled
critical considerations of Native representation from my recent MLIS research of Native scholars and researchers.

October #cbadspotlight - Spotlight on Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung

Today I'm shining the spotlight on Arree Chung,

author of #cbadspotlight pick Mixed: A Colorful Story 

and also Out!, Ninja!, and Ninja: Attack of the Clan

The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book with a message of acceptance and unity.
In the beginning, there were three colors . . .
Reds,
Yellows,
and Blues.
All special in their own ways, all living in harmony--until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anyting that can change their minds?
A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

While Arree wasn't able to visit personally, he sent along 
this fab teacher's guide 
with activities you can do with your students!

October #cbadspotlight - Spotlight on The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh with Author Supriya Kelkar

Today I'm shining the spotlight on Supriya Kelkar,

author of #cbadspotlight pick The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh 

and also middle grade novels Ahimsa and coming in March 2020: American as Paneer Pie

Harpreet Singh loves his colors—but when his family moves to a new city, everything just feels gray. Can he find a way to make life bright again?

Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from pink for dancing to bhangra beats to red for courage. He especially takes care with his patka—his turban—smoothing it out and making sure it always matches his outfit. But when Harpreet’s mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they have to move, all he wants is to be invisible. Will he ever feel a happy sunny yellow again? 

Thank you, Supriya, for joining me for a #cbadspotlight interview today!

October #cbadspotlight - Spotlight on Let Me Finish! with Illustrator Isabel Roxas

Today I'm shining the spotlight on Isabel Roxas,

illustrator of #cbadspotlight pick
Let Me Finish! 

When our young hero settles in to read, the last thing he wants is for some noisy animals to ruin the ending of the story.
But ruin it they do.
And as it turns out, the boy is quickly approaching a surprise ending of his own! Maybe he should have listened to the animals after all. . . .
This silly, timeless picturebook with a clever meta twist introduces debut author Minh Lê's witty text and Isabel Roxas's eye-catching illustrations.

Thank you, Isabel, for joining me for a #cbadspotlight interview today!

October #cbadspotlight - Spotlight on Let Me Finish! with Author Minh Lê

Today I'm shining the spotlight on Minh Lê,

author of #cbadspotlight pick
Let Me Finish! 

and also Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Picture Book Drawn Together
and the upcoming picture book The Perfect Seat & graphic novel Green Lantern: Legacy

When our young hero settles in to read, the last thing he wants is for some noisy animals to ruin the ending of the story.
But ruin it they do.
And as it turns out, the boy is quickly approaching a surprise ending of his own! Maybe he should have listened to the animals after all. . . .
This silly, timeless picturebook with a clever meta twist introduces debut author Minh Lê's witty text and Isabel Roxas's eye-catching illustrations.

Thank you, Minh, for joining me for a #cbadspotlight video today!

#classroombookaday Recommendations: Friendship Picture Books

As part of my #classroombookaday partnership with Follett Classroom, I get the opportunity to curate recommended book lists each month this school year. I share the recommended books in a blog post at the Follett Community site explaining more in depth my thoughts in creating the list and why I chose those specific titles, and the lists are available in Titlewave also. 

My October list for early in the school year is about Friendship! 

[Please visit the link to read the accompanying blog post]

You can also find all of my posts & lists I've done with Follett at my landing page bit.ly/heisefollett.