My favorite time for a Native American theme is during Native American Heritage Month in November! Here are the favorite books from our Native American unit.
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Just choose books based on your child’s age and what you think will engage your child’s interest. I recommend checking out the “Read sample” feature on Amazon and reading reviews there. Another place to learn about a book is on YouTube. You can typically see the entire book there.
Montessori-friendly books use photos or realistic illustrations. They don’t have talking animals or a lot of fantasy. But many books that have fantasy and talking animals are wonderful books, and I love sharing them with children who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.
For toddlers and preschoolers, about ¾ of the books I use are typically Montessori friendly (focusing on reality without smiling or talking animals or smiling or talking vehicles). This theme has a number of books about Native American legends, which are best for older preschoolers who can understand the symbolism or elementary-age kids.
Books for a Native American Theme
I’m featuring books here for a Native American theme mainly for preschool through elementary-age kids.
Books for a Native American Theme
Top Shelf of Forward -Facing Display:
- Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes
- We Are Who We Are: An Ode to Indigenous Heroes Past and Present (a companion to Go Show the World)
2nd Shelf:
- National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More
- We Are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know
- Powwow Day
3rd Shelf:
- Why We Dance: A Story of Hope and Healing
- We Are Water Protectors (Caldecott Medal Winner)
4th Shelf:
Bottom Shelf
- We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
- Beyond the Ridge
- Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale (Caldecott Medal Winner)
More books we’re using:
- Explore Native American Cultures with 25 Great Projects
- The Sioux: A First Americans Book
- The Sioux
- Ka-Ha-Si and the Loon: an Eskimo Legend
- The Sioux
- Hiawatha
Books on a Shelf for a Native American Theme
These books about Native American legends are on another shelf:
- Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
- Quillworker: A Cheyenne Legend
- Turquois Boy: A Navajo Legend (on the Plate Rack)
- Little Firefly: An Algonquin Legend (on the Plate Rack)
- The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas (on the Plate Rack)
- The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush (on the Plate Rack)
- Dream Wolf (Plains Indian Legend)
Peace and Mindfulness Table with Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message Book and Thankful Activity
On our peace and mindfulness table we have materials for our November focus on gratitude. We used these from a previous gratitude unit.
- Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
- Free Printables: Thankful jar and cards from Mama Miss
You can see lots of Native American Books for kids here.
Free Native American Pack
Montessori-Inspired Native American Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my newsletter to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).
More Native American Resources
Native American Books for Kids
Free Native American Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities
Montessori-Inspired Native American Unit
- Historically Accurate and Culturally Sensitive Thanksgiving Printables for Preschool Through Elementary
- Native American Unit Study Board on Pinterest
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