Cree Books for Kids: A Library List
This page was first published in 2017. There have been a lot of exciting new releases since then that still need to be added here. It’s a work in progress. I will continue to add books, details, and comments as time permits.
And if *you* have good books to recommend or comments to add, please send me a note! I would especially appreciate photos or scans of book covers, so I can add them to this list.
Important: The Cree Literacy Network *does not have these books for sale.* If I can find ordering information, I’ve included it with the individual book description. Many are out of print (and can only be found – if you’re lucky – in libraries).
A lot of great resources can also be found in the online catalogs of some education resource centres and resellers. Click here for a separate list of these catalogs: You can order from them directly!
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Dialect Neutral
Some words are the same in n-, th- and y-dialects. Vocabulary in these books is selected so they work in any of the three major dialects.
nêhiyawêwin / Plains Cree / y-dialect
nîhithowîwin / Woods Cree / th-dialect
Alfred's First Day of School
out of print
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated into Cree by Freda Ahenakew. Gabriel Dumont Institute.
Available at University of Manitoba Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Images
Alfred's Summer
out of print
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated by Freda Ahenakew
Available at University of Manitoba, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Images
Black Bear Red Fox: Colours in Cree
2017
Featuring the work of award-willing illustrator Julie Flett, and a detailed explanation of how colour words work in Cree from the Cree Literacy Network.
Native Northwest/Garfinkel Publications, 2017
Order from Amazon
Images
Know what you Throw (th)
2017
Know What you Throw (y)
2017
nâpêsis êkwa âpakosîs âcimowinis
1988
Published initially in separate Cree and English editions (1988), the English version is now out of print.
Cree-only version is available from SICC. Download their catalog here:
SICC Learning Outlet Catalog
Images
Pîsim Finds her Miskanow
2014
Pisim Finds Her Miskanow is based on an important 1993 archaeological find that located the remains of a young woman at Nagami Bay, Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba. The fully illustrated book recounts a week in the life of Pisim, a young Cree woman, who lived in the mid 1600s. In the story, created by renowned storyteller William Dumas, Pisim begins to recognize her miskanow – her life’s journey – and to develop her gifts for fulfilling that path. The story is brought to life by the rich imagery of Mikmaw artist Leonard Paul, and is accompanied by sidebars on Cree language and culture, archaeology and history, maps, songs, and more. This 48-page historical fiction and information text features 21 colour illustrations and 20 black and white illustrations and 5 maps making the rich cultural history of the Manitoba Cree come to life. Oversize hardcover. Winner of the Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) 2014 Public Communications Award, Author Category. Highly recommended.
Order from Good Minds
Images
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers
2014
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers is the 2014 board book from Native Northwest featuring the artwork of Cree/Métis artist Julie Flett.
Includes Cree number words, with pronunciation guide by Cree Literacy Network.
Order from Good Minds
Images
What Will I Do? (th)
2017
Wisahkêcahk Flies to the Moon
2001
wîsahkêcâhk êkwa waskwayak: âtayohkêwin
1988
Freda Ahenakew, 1988.
[Cree only edition]. Illustrated by George Littlechild.Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. English edition is out of print.
Images
When the Trees Crackle With Cold: A Cree Calendar : PĪSIMWASINAHIKAN
2017
Bernice Johnson-Laxdal & Miriam Körner. Illustrated by Miriam Körner.
Regina, SK: Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, 2016.
32 pp., hardcover, $19.95.
ISBN 978-1-927756-84-3.
Kindergarten-grade 5 / Ages 5-10.
Review: CM Magazine
Order from:
Your Nickel’s Worth Press
Images
Stolen Words
2017
Written by Melanie Florence and Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Order from: Second Story Press
Teacher resource material includes an explanation of the six Cree words introduced by Cree Literacy Network Director Arden Ogg
Images
Dialect Neutral
Some words are the same in n-, th- and y-dialects. Vocabulary in these books is selected so they work in any of the three major dialects.
Black Bear Red Fox: Colours in Cree
2017
Featuring the work of award-willing illustrator Julie Flett, and a detailed explanation of how colour words work in Cree from the Cree Literacy Network.
Native Northwest/Garfinkel Publications, 2017
Order from Amazon
Images
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers
2014
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers is the 2014 board book from Native Northwest featuring the artwork of Cree/Métis artist Julie Flett.
Includes Cree number words, with pronunciation guide by Cree Literacy Network.
Order from Good Minds
Images
Pîsim Finds her Miskanow
2014
Pisim Finds Her Miskanow is based on an important 1993 archaeological find that located the remains of a young woman at Nagami Bay, Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba. The fully illustrated book recounts a week in the life of Pisim, a young Cree woman, who lived in the mid 1600s. In the story, created by renowned storyteller William Dumas, Pisim begins to recognize her miskanow – her life’s journey – and to develop her gifts for fulfilling that path. The story is brought to life by the rich imagery of Mikmaw artist Leonard Paul, and is accompanied by sidebars on Cree language and culture, archaeology and history, maps, songs, and more. This 48-page historical fiction and information text features 21 colour illustrations and 20 black and white illustrations and 5 maps making the rich cultural history of the Manitoba Cree come to life. Oversize hardcover. Winner of the Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) 2014 Public Communications Award, Author Category. Highly recommended.
Order from Good Minds
Images
Stolen Words
2017
Written by Melanie Florence and Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Order from: Second Story Press
Teacher resource material includes an explanation of the six Cree words introduced by Cree Literacy Network Director Arden Ogg
Images
nêhiyawêwin / Plains Cree / y-dialect
Alfred's First Day of School
out of print
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated into Cree by Freda Ahenakew. Gabriel Dumont Institute.
Available at University of Manitoba Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Images
The Time I Went to School
2012
kâ-nitai-kiskinohamakosiyân / The Time I Went to School. Story by Beatrice Henry. Chamakese Education Centre: Pelican Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan. Illustrations by Randi Sunshine. Edited, Design and Layout by Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.
Order from SICC.
Images
wîsahkêcâhk êkwa waskwayak: âtayohkêwin
1988
Freda Ahenakew, 1988.
[Cree only edition]. Illustrated by George Littlechild.Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. English edition is out of print.
Images
Know What you Throw (y)
2017
Wisahkêcahk Flies to the Moon
2001
nâpêsis êkwa âpakosîs âcimowinis
1988
Published initially in separate Cree and English editions (1988), the English version is now out of print.
Cree-only version is available from SICC. Download their catalog here:
SICC Learning Outlet Catalog
Images
Alfred's Summer
out of print
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated by Freda Ahenakew
Available at University of Manitoba, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Images
My Heart Fills with Happiness : sâkaskinêw nitêh miywêyihtamowin ohci
2018
By (author): Monique Gray Smith
Illustrated by: Julie Flett
Translated by: Mary Cardinal Collins
Plains Cree SRO edited by Cree Literacy Network
Order from Orca or your favourite bookstore.
Images
nîhithowîwin / Woods Cree / th-dialect
Know what you Throw (th)
2017
What Will I Do? (th)
2017
The Time I Went to School
2012
kâ-nitai-kiskinohamakosiyân / The Time I Went to School. Story by Beatrice Henry. Chamakese Education Centre: Pelican Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan. Illustrations by Randi Sunshine. Edited, Design and Layout by Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.
Order from SICC.
Images
Alfred's First Day of School
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated into Cree by Freda Ahenakew. Gabriel Dumont Institute.
Available at University of Manitoba Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Alfred's Summer
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated by Freda Ahenakew
Available at University of Manitoba, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
Black Bear Red Fox: Colours in Cree
Featuring the work of award-willing illustrator Julie Flett, and a detailed explanation of how colour words work in Cree from the Cree Literacy Network.
Native Northwest/Garfinkel Publications, 2017
Order from Amazon
Hide and Peek (th)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Solomon Ratt
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
Hide and Peek (y)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Leona Tootoosis, Guy Albert and Jean Okimâsis
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
nâpêsis êkwa âpakosîs âcimowinis
Published initially in separate Cree and English editions (1988), the English version is now out of print.
Cree-only version is available from SICC. Download their catalog here:
SICC Learning Outlet Catalog
Pîsim Finds her Miskanow
Pisim Finds Her Miskanow is based on an important 1993 archaeological find that located the remains of a young woman at Nagami Bay, Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba. The fully illustrated book recounts a week in the life of Pisim, a young Cree woman, who lived in the mid 1600s. In the story, created by renowned storyteller William Dumas, Pisim begins to recognize her miskanow – her life’s journey – and to develop her gifts for fulfilling that path. The story is brought to life by the rich imagery of Mikmaw artist Leonard Paul, and is accompanied by sidebars on Cree language and culture, archaeology and history, maps, songs, and more. This 48-page historical fiction and information text features 21 colour illustrations and 20 black and white illustrations and 5 maps making the rich cultural history of the Manitoba Cree come to life. Oversize hardcover. Winner of the Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) 2014 Public Communications Award, Author Category. Highly recommended.
Order from Good Minds
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers is the 2014 board book from Native Northwest featuring the artwork of Cree/Métis artist Julie Flett.
Includes Cree number words, with pronunciation guide by Cree Literacy Network.
Order from Good Minds
What Will I Do? (th)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Solomon Ratt
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
wîsahkêcâhk êkwa waskwayak: âtayohkêwin
Freda Ahenakew, 1988.
[Cree only edition]. Illustrated by George Littlechild.Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. English edition is out of print.
Stolen Words
Written by Melanie Florence and Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Order from: Second Story Press
Teacher resource material includes an explanation of the six Cree words introduced by Cree Literacy Network Director Arden Ogg
Dialect Neutral
Some words are the same in n-, th- and y-dialects. Vocabulary in these books is selected so they work in any of the three major dialects.
Black Bear Red Fox: Colours in Cree
Featuring the work of award-willing illustrator Julie Flett, and a detailed explanation of how colour words work in Cree from the Cree Literacy Network.
Native Northwest/Garfinkel Publications, 2017
Order from Amazon
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers
We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers is the 2014 board book from Native Northwest featuring the artwork of Cree/Métis artist Julie Flett.
Includes Cree number words, with pronunciation guide by Cree Literacy Network.
Order from Good Minds
Pîsim Finds her Miskanow
Pisim Finds Her Miskanow is based on an important 1993 archaeological find that located the remains of a young woman at Nagami Bay, Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba. The fully illustrated book recounts a week in the life of Pisim, a young Cree woman, who lived in the mid 1600s. In the story, created by renowned storyteller William Dumas, Pisim begins to recognize her miskanow – her life’s journey – and to develop her gifts for fulfilling that path. The story is brought to life by the rich imagery of Mikmaw artist Leonard Paul, and is accompanied by sidebars on Cree language and culture, archaeology and history, maps, songs, and more. This 48-page historical fiction and information text features 21 colour illustrations and 20 black and white illustrations and 5 maps making the rich cultural history of the Manitoba Cree come to life. Oversize hardcover. Winner of the Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) 2014 Public Communications Award, Author Category. Highly recommended.
Order from Good Minds
Stolen Words
Written by Melanie Florence and Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Order from: Second Story Press
Teacher resource material includes an explanation of the six Cree words introduced by Cree Literacy Network Director Arden Ogg
nêhiyawêwin / Plains Cree / y-dialect
Alfred's First Day of School
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated into Cree by Freda Ahenakew. Gabriel Dumont Institute.
Available at University of Manitoba Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
The Time I Went to School
kâ-nitai-kiskinohamakosiyân / The Time I Went to School. Story by Beatrice Henry. Chamakese Education Centre: Pelican Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan. Illustrations by Randi Sunshine. Edited, Design and Layout by Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.
Order from SICC.
wîsahkêcâhk êkwa waskwayak: âtayohkêwin
Freda Ahenakew, 1988.
[Cree only edition]. Illustrated by George Littlechild.Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. English edition is out of print.
nâpêsis êkwa âpakosîs âcimowinis
Published initially in separate Cree and English editions (1988), the English version is now out of print.
Cree-only version is available from SICC. Download their catalog here:
SICC Learning Outlet Catalog
Hide and Peek (y)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Leona Tootoosis, Guy Albert and Jean Okimâsis
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
Alfred's Summer
Story by Darrell Pelletier, translated by Freda Ahenakew
Available at University of Manitoba, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
“The Alfred Reading Series is an illustrated five book series for children in Michif, Plains Cree and French, with English subtitles. Through this set of storybooks, which focuses on Alfred and his sister Lisa, the reader will gain an appreciation of contemporary Aboriginal culture. The series includes:
Alfred’s First Day at School, Alfred’s Summer, The Big Storm, The Pow Wow and Lisa and Sam.”
nîhithowîwin / Woods Cree / th-dialect
Hide and Peek (th)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Solomon Ratt
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
What Will I Do? (th)
Concept by Veronica Atwin
Translation by Solomon Ratt
Written and illustrated by Mark Parkhill
SayITFirst Books
Read along with elders video
The Time I Went to School
kâ-nitai-kiskinohamakosiyân / The Time I Went to School. Story by Beatrice Henry. Chamakese Education Centre: Pelican Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan. Illustrations by Randi Sunshine. Edited, Design and Layout by Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.
Order from SICC.
