November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States, but the perfect time to share these folktales with your kids is all year round.
Although I titled this list "Native American folktales," I believe it would be more correct to say "traditional stories"; I have also limited this list to North America (excluding Mexico, which is represented on my Latin American folktales list).
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As I mentioned in my introduction to African Folktales, these books are not substitutes for contemporary American Indian, First Nations, or Native Alaskan stories. In addition, it's important to remind kids that Indigenous Peoples in North American are a diverse group. One tribe or nation's population is not interchangeable with another.
For more recommended stories, I suggest the website American Indians in Children's Literature. Ms. Reese has an excellent article, "Proceed with Caution: Using Native American Folktales in the Classroom."
Many of these tales center around the importance of animals and connection between humans and the natural world. Many of them are also pourquoi tales, a type of "why things are the way they are" story. Pourquoi tales are common across all cultures.
Waa’aka: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun by Cindi Alvitre (Tongva), illustrated by Carly Lake. This Tongva creation story from the Indigenous people of present day Southern California is beautifully illustrated. Waa’aka’ is a self-absorbed, but gorgeous white bird who lacks the qualities that other birds exhibit, like a sense of community, humility or wisdom. When the other birds try to help the growing sun, Tamet, reach the sky so he doesn't burn earth's inhabitants, Waa’aka’ tries to follow, but is burned and consequently forced by the creator, Wiyot, to live a nocturnal life.
MORE: 50 Folktales from Around the World
Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend by Donald F. Montileaux (Oglala Lakota Nation). Brilliant illustrations capture the beauty and movement of the magnificent horse in this retelling of a Lakota legend. Legend has it that long before the White man appeared, the Lakota tamed the wild horses, bringing prosperity to their people. But after they misused the power of the horse, The Great Spirit takes them away for hundreds of years. The book includes further information on the importance of the horse for the Lakota as well as additional resources. Bilingual.
Chukfi Rabbit's Big, Bad Bellyache by Greg Rodgers (Choctaw), illustrated by Leslie Stall Widener (Choctaw). I absolutely adore trickster tales! Chukfi is super lazy and while all the other animals chip in to build Mrs Possum a new house, Chukfi takes it upon himself to avoid any work. However, he changes his mind when he hears there is food to be had and while everyone else is working he helps himself to some delicious butter. As you might expect from a traditional tale, Chukfi is in no way rewarded for his laziness and greed! Great fun.
MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Native Americans
A Man Called Raven by Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ Dene), illustrated by George Littlechild (Plains Cree Nation). Van Camp's contemporary story draws upon traditional legends he heard from his Dogrib elders. Two brothers abusing a raven are confronted by a man who tells them a story of a man who mistreated a raven and, as a result, was transformed into one. As a raven, the man learned respect for life and to take care of others who are in trouble, sometimes transforming back into a man to teach others the same lesson. At the end of his tale, there is a great swirl of feathers... Gorgeous artwork, too!
The Owl and the Two Rabbits by Nadia Sammurtok (Inuit), illustrated by Marcus Cutler. Two rabbit sisters play outside in the evening, despite their parents' warnings to stay inside due to the danger of predators. Their rowdy play soon lowers their defenses and an owl swoops in, hoping to catch dinner. The owl grabs both rabbits, despite the warning by his wife not to be so greedy! In the end, he cannot maintain a hold on them both and the two rabbits escape. Both rabbits and owl have learned their lesson!
MORE: List of Pourquoi Tales for Kids
How Raven Got His Crooked Nose: An Alaskan Dena'ina Fable by Barbara J. Atwater & Ethan J. Atwater (Dena'ina), illustrated by Mindy Dwyer. A grandmother retells a traditional cautionary tale about the trickster raven, Chulyen. One morning, Chulyen discovers his nose is missing. An old woman has been using it as a tool, causing it to be bent. Transforming into a human, he attempts to find and reattach his nose but is unable to do so before his magic transformation fades and he is stuck with the crooked nose forever. I love the way Dena'ina words are used throughout the text as well as how the authors incorporate facts about the Dena'ina culture. Further information is offered in the glossary.
MORE: Hawaiian Folktales for Kids
The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale by Joseph Bruchac (Wabanaki/contested), illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. One winter, a hunter falls in love with a mysterious women. When she disappears when spring arrives she requests that he promise to remember her. The following winter they meet again; this time the woman is accompanied by their child. Later, the chief's daughter tricks the hunter into forgetting about his winter family, but her deception is not strong enough for the hunter's promise. A wonderful story that emphasizes the importance of keeping promises and the connection to the nature.
When Turtles Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation by Tim Tingle (Choctaw), illustrated by Stacey Schuett. This tale will remind kids of Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. A turtle and a turkey have a bit of a collision and a mix up results in a rather amusing race with an arrogant rabbit.
MORE: Folktales from India
Baby Rattlesnake told by Te Ata (Chickasaw), adapted by Lynn Moroney, illustrated by Mira Reisberg. This is an engaging traditional Chickasaw story for preschoolers about a baby rattlesnake who finally gets his rattle. The trouble is, he needs to learn how to use it properly and not just to create a little mischief. Parents will hope their kids pick up on the lesson of learning self-control and responsibility! Also available in Spanish.
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by James Bruchac (Wabanaki/contested), illustrated by Jose Aruego and Arianne Dewey. This is a fun pourquoi tale. Bragging Bear and Teasing Squirrel have a competition. Bear insists he can tell the sun not to rise in the morning, and squirrel insists he cannot. When the sun rises and Bear looks foolish in front of the other animals, he takes out his humiliation on Squirrel, transforming him into a chipmunk with the flick of his sharp claws. The moral: neither the braggart nor the teaser will win in the end.
MORE: Folktales from China
Rabbit's Snow Dance by Joseph and James Bruchac (Wabanaki/contested), illustrated by Jeff Newman. My son loved this book and was singing Rabbit's chant for quite some time. Rabbit performs his snow-dance so many times that the snow falls till it covers the trees. Unfortunately for Rabbit, this leads to a slight mishap which now explains why his tail is no longer lusciously long.
You can find more books by Indigenous authors on these lists:
Alex Baugh says
What a wonderful list. There aren't really enough Native American books available for kids and yet, there is so much there to explore and write about, expecially when it comes to folktales.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I agree, Alex. There could be so many more books. Folktales have such a universal appeal. I find my kids really enjoy them, which makes sense -- after all a story that survives generations has got to be captivating!
Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says
This is such a neat and unique list of books. They would make an interesting unit study. Hope you're having a great summer!
Erica MomandKiddo says
It's going pretty well so far! But it's hot here!
Debbie N says
This is a nice list! The Eye of the Needle (Teri Sloat), which is based on a Yupik tale, is one I have. I also have a book for beginning readers called The Thirsty Moose (David Orme).
Erica MomandKiddo says
Debbie, I tried to get The Eye of the Needle, but our library didn't have a copy. Glad to hear it's a good one. I haven't heard of The Thirsty Moose, but I like the idea that there is a folktale published as an easy reader - what a great idea.
Natalie says
Awesome list! We read some of the stories you shared, but not all. Nothing else comes to mind at the moment.
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews says
Great collection! The artwork just looks amazing. Any idea if any of these come from Canadian authors? Perhaps the Inuit one? There is probably many books about (and by) the Aboriginal people of Australia too! Thanks so much for this list.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Renee: good question! I don't believe any of them are by Canadian authors and other than Raven (I suppose Pacific Northwest can refer to the area now known as Vancouver/B.C as well as in the US) their may not be any Native American tribes from the now-Canada area on this list. That would be an excellent thing to look into! I mentioned in response to a comment on last week's list that I did look for books about Aboriginal people but couldn't find any. An Australian who reads this blog commented with a bunch of title suggestions. They are in the comments on the African folktale post.
Sarah M. Isaacson says
What a great list, with so many titles unfamiliar to me (not for long! 🙂 Thank you for this!
PragmaticMom says
What an awesome list. What is challenging about folk tales at the library is finding them since they are alpha by author last name. I like reading by country so your list is wonderful!
Jackie Higgins says
This is a great list. I used several of these picture books when I taught fourth grade. The kids absolutely loved them and loved to write their own porquio tales. I'm also excited to see several new ones on your list that I can't wait to check out.
JDaniel4's Mom (@jdaniel4smom) says
These look really wonderful! The covers of these books really jump out at me.
Leanna@Alldonemonkey (@alldonemonkey) says
What a wonderful list! Arrow to the Sun is one of our favorite books. Can't wait to explore the rest!
reshamad says
Fantastic list! I must admit I haven't read any of these.. so looking forward to gather these for our summer reading!
-Resh @StackingBooks.com
Molly says
There is a short list of children's books at the National Museum of the American Indian's website (more in the actual shop) - some stories are from Cental and South America as well since the museum is hemispheric. Not all are folk tales though. https://nmaistore.si.edu/shop/childrens-books/
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great resource, Molly.
Ruth K says
Thank you for all your lists! I've been scouring all your lists and creating To-Read lists in my library account. Now where to start?
Erica MomandKiddo says
It makes me so pleased that you've found lots of new books to read. I hope your library bag doesn't get too heavy!
Jody says
I love your list and need to add some of these titles to our library - one of our very favorite books is "The Rainbow Crow" by Nancy Van Laan - it's a really lovely Lenape tale.
kidworldcitizen says
These are so awesome!:) I can't wait to check them out. Sharing with all of my networks as well!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you - I hope you enjoy reading them.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Jody. I'll have to look for that one, too.
Remigijus says
Thank you.
Karen Lucas says
Don't miss this vetted list from First Nations authors/illustrators.
https://firstnations.org/sites/default/files/%2A/Book%20Insert%20Web%20Version.pdf
And this link to best children's books by First Nations authors/illustrators.
https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/best-books.html
All Fantastic books to share anytime of year.
Karen Lucas, Youth Services Librarian
Erica says
Thanks for the suggestions!
Keelia says
This is my favorite list of yours! We have loved all the books that we have read from it so far. We even made butter after reading Chukfi Rabbit's Big, Bad Bellyache about 50 times!
Erica says
Thank you! I'm so glad you've been enjoying the books!