Entertainment · Books & Arts · 8 hrs ago
Five New Picture Books by Indigenous Authors Highlight Native Stories
Traci Sorell, author of the nonfiction picture book Indigenous from A to Z, recommends five recent picture books by Indigenous authors for Indigenous Peoples Day.
The books explore Native history and life through stories about civil rights organizing, humor, seasonal change, military service and family.
Ruth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem tells of civil rights organizing by the great aunt of its creators, Jen Loren and Rebecca Lee Kunz.
Other books include stories set in Kalaallit Nunaat, or Greenland, and accounts of a grandmother helping a child stay connected to parents serving far away.
Two books focus on family bonds across generations, including a girl who speaks Cherokee with her late grandfather.
The five books are the authors’ picture book debuts, and they bring Indigenous creators’ stories and languages to young readers.
Traci Sorell recommends five recent picture books by Indigenous authors for Indigenous Peoples Day.
The books explore topics including civil rights organizing, seasonal life, military service, and connections with ancestors.
Several of the stories incorporate Indigenous languages.
Sorell says the books are picture book debuts for their five authors.
Her own book, Indigenous from A to Z, is illustrated by Natasha Donovan and published by Workman Kids.
- Who
- Author Traci Sorell recommends the books, which are by Indigenous authors.
- What
- Sorell highlights five recent picture books about Native stories and experiences.
- When
- Book Riot published the article on October 12, 2026, for Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Where
- The books include stories set in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and in Native communities in the United States.
- Why
- Sorell says Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the contributions, resilience, and humanity of Native Nations and their citizens.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indigenous Peoples Day helps us as a country to celebrate the contributions, the resilience, and the humanity of Native Nations and their citizens.
I love seeing Native creators craft narratives in new formats for young people.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Books highlighted
- Five recent picture books by Indigenous authors
- Indigenous from A to Z
- Written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Natasha Donovan
- Seasons by the Lake
- Created by Naja Lund Aparico and Alex Nees; follows two Inuit brothers in Kalaallit Nunaat
- Paul’s Bunion: A Tall Tale Resized
- Written by Dawn Quigley and illustrated by Chief Lady Bird
- Publication date
- October 12, 2026
Sources
Related news
Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Tarantino’s first West End play
Pumpkinferno returns to Dynamic Earth with more than 7,000 pumpkins
Tarek Atoui fills Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall with sound and sculpture
Frieze London grows to 176 galleries from 43 countries
HBO is developing an eight-episode Crazy Rich Asians series
Two galleries will pair works by Leonora Carrington and Cecilia Vicuña
London gallery shows share an uncanny quality
Anne Carson wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature
Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Tarantino’s first stage play
Ian Rankin says he turned down a chance to write a James Bond novel
Artists turn videos from retired Google AI model into new work
