Try out a Wordless Picture Book!

Have you ever read a wordless picture book? A wordless picture book is a book that tells a story with only illustrations. They are especially fun to read, because in order to tell a story without words successfully, the pictures are usually extraordinary. No matter how many times you read a wordless book the story is always a little different!

When children read these books, they use their imagination and creativity to build their confidence and love for reading. In addition to those important characteristics they also learn about plot and story sequencing, and develop their own storytelling skills! Here are some great newer titles I highly recommend that have been published within the last few years.




Spencer’s New Pet by Jessie Sima

Follow the story of a boy and his unusual pet, a red balloon animal.








Imagine! By Raúl Colón   

Delight and imagination soar when a young boy visits the Museum of Modern Art!











Stormy: A Story about Finding a Forever Home by Guojing 
 
A friendly woman discovers a lonely dog on her visit to the park. 











Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

Follow the journey of a girl and a wolf pup lost in the snow in this 2018 Caldecott Medal Winner.








Discover a shipwreck, a treasure, and a friendly sea creature at the bottom of the ocean in this underwater adventure. 











-Stacy


National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture: Stories, time lines, maps, and more
by Cynthia O'Brien

Provides an array of snapshots about the culture and history of the many different tribes throughout the United States. Full of incredibly detailed and colorful photographs and images. 

Bonus: it has a pronunciation guide for the names of all of the different Native American nations. 





C is for Chickasaw
written by Wiley Barnes and illustrated by Aaron Long

An alphabet book depicting all of the many aspects of Chickasaw culture. Some of the entries are: J is for Joy-(Ayokpa), and the importance of family, and Z is for Zigzag-(Foloto’wa), which is for the type of design found in the art of the Chickasaw culture.








Two Roads
by Joseph Bruchac

Twelve year old Cal learns about his heritage and friendship during the 1930s in this book written by a member of the Nulhegan Abenaki nation in Vermont. 

Creek Nation











Race to the Sun
 by Rebecca Roanhorse

In this fantasy filled with fun and adventure, Nizhoni Begay can sense monsters in human form. She along with her friends must defeat the monsters in order to survive. 

Navajo Nation










Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Juana Martinez-Neal

The use of the different ingredients and characteristics of fry bread is a metaphor for the values of family life, togetherness, and celebration of Native Americans. Rich in language and facts and lovingly illustrated with soft, colorful hues.

Bonus: The names of all of the different Native American nations are written inside the front and back covers of the book.

All Native American nations






Encounter
 written by Brittany Luby and illustrated by Michaela Goade

In this jeweled colored picture book Luby and Goade explore what might have happened when a French sailor and a Stadaconian man meet for the first time. Compared to what actually happened in history where Native Americans were stripped of their lands and dignity, Encounter reimagines how history could have been if the French sailor had viewed his meeting as a visitor rather than a conqueror. 

Iroquois Nation




Bowwow Powwow (Bagosenjige-niimi’idim)
 written by Brenda J. Child, translated by Gordon Jourdain, and illustrated by Jonathan Thunder

Windy Girl along with her uncle and her dog Itchy Boy attend a powwow where Windy Girl dreams that all of the dancers are dogs.

Ojibwe Nation





Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
 written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Linda Kukuk 

An inspiring biography about the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation and how she worked together with Cherokees to help them live in a better world. 








Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
 adapted by Gina Capaldi and Q.L. Pearce and illustrated by Gina Capaldi

A true story compiled of the writings of the enthralling life of Zitkala-Sa, a legendary woman of the Yankton-Sioux tribe. 

Bonus: look for a red bird in all of the pages of the book!

Also available as an eBook through Overdrive here







We Are Grateful-Otsaliheliga
written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac

A vibrantly illustrated picture book depicting all of the special cultural elements of each season such as food, family, and nature which are so beloved to members of the Cherokee nation.  



*Update from May 2021: Check out Sorell and Lessac's new book: 


We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know










-Cara/Allison





This month’s Take and Make craft is celebrating fall colors. Come to any of our 7 branches after November 7th to get your Fall Tree Weaving kit while supplies last. Then go here to see our instructional video. Enjoy these additional ideas for more safe family fun this fall. 

 

Geocaching is like a real life treasure hunt. Best of all it is free! Just download the free app, choose a location with some caches, and hunt. Make sure you have something to write with to sign the log in the cache. Click here to learn more about how to get started.  


Read some books outside. Children need time outside and they need time to read and be read to so it is a win-win. Choose a favorite book or a new one and cozy up in a local park or even your backyard. To make it even more special for you and your family, plan a picnic for a crisp outdoor feast. 


Play the tree matching game. Take a walk around your neighborhood or go on a hike and collect a variety of leaves you see. Have the kids find as many types of leaves, shapes, and colors as they can. Then when you get home, try to identify the type of leaves you’ve found. Here are some books available to request that will help you:



Peterson First Guide to Trees of North America by George Petrides










Simon & Schuster's Guide to Trees
by Paola Lanzara














Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees by Herbert S. Zim

















-Rebecca