I’m a proud blogger co-host of the 6th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day! I’ll be sharing several reviews of new diverse books for kids in the coming week, before our official celebration on January 25th. Want to help kids understand Native American history and culture? You’ll love today’s review of of 5 engaging #ownvoices books from Chickasaw Press.
I was so excited when I learned that Chickasaw Press was a sponsor of this year’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day. Why? Because I realized last year that I knew very little about the Chickasaw people, whose land I now live on.
Before the forced removal of the Chickasaw Nation to Oklahoma, present day Memphis, TN (where I live) was part of the Chickasaw nation’s hunting grounds. I’d been wanting to talk more with my son about the culture, history, and present day life of the Chickasaws. Naturally, I was thrilled to receive books to review from the nation’s official press. (FYI, I’ve also been reading some of their books for adults, which are excellent!)
Be sure to read all the way through this post for a special giveaway from me, plus free resources for families and teachers.
Five #ownvoices Children’s Books from Chickasaw Press about Native American History and Culture
Disclosure: I was provided free review copies of C is for Chickasaw, Good Night Trilobite, Little Loksi, and Chula the Fox from Chickasaw Press. All opinions are my own. For your convenience, this post contains affilate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
C is for Chickasaw by Wiley Barnes and Aaron Long
This engaging alphabet book teaches children key concepts from Chickasaw history and present day life. For example, we learned about regalia, stickball, and xylography (a particular type of woodcarving design.) Each word is introduced in both English and Chickasaw. There are also more detailed descriptions at the bottom of the page for older children or kids who are particularly curious about a topic.
The book includes a glossary with a pronunciation guide for the Chickasaw words. I found an even better option for learning how to say the Chickasaw words was using the C is for Chicksaw app. My 6 year old also loved the stickball game that’s included in the app!
Kids who love to color will also enjoy the companion C is for Chickasaw coloring book. (I’m giving away a copy! Enter the giveaway before January 31. You’ll find the entry form at the end of the book review section of this post.)
(Recommended for ages 5 – 10)
Related Post: 9 tips for teaching kids the history of Native American peoples in your community
Little Loksi by Trey Hays and Eli Corbin
As author Trey Hays says in his introduction to this Chickasaw folktale, “everything on this planet has a purpose, even the stink of a skunk.” When the Loksi (turtle) family goes for a walk, a big wave knocks Little Loksi over onto his back. Many different animals come along and try to help. Chukfi (rabbit) tries to motivate Loksi with a tale of his grandfather beat Chukfi’s grandfather in a race long ago. (Recognize that story?)
Nashoba (wolf) goes on a journey to find other animals who can help. Koni (skunk) promises to guard Loksi through the night, keeping scoundrels away with his powerful smell. Haknip hishi haloppa (porcupine) will also keep watch, ready to use his sharp quills if necessary. When Nashoba recruits Cholhkun (spider), all the animals finally have a way to work together. Soon, their their young friend is back on his feet.
My son and I both loved this charming tale, and he asked to read it several nights in a row. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Related Post: Teaching about Native Americans in Preschool and Kindergarten: Do’s and Don’ts
Good Night, Trilobite by Steve Vanlandingham and Shanda Willis McDonald
Long ago the Chickasaw Nation’s present day homelands in Oklahoma were under water. Today, the land is excellent fossil hunting territory, inspiring educator and amateur paleontologist to write Good Night, Trilobite. Tony the trilobite and his friends Becky the brachiopod and Bryan the bryozoan face plenty of predators underwater. Luckily they also have lots of ways to protect themselves when hungry troublemakers like Seth the Cephalopod come along.
There are several bonus materials at the end of the story, including a a glossary of fossil terms, another glossary of Chickasaw terms related to the story, and a QR code for a download of the song Good Night, Trilobite. (Recommended for ages 4 – 9)
Related Post: Unpacking myths and stereotypes with kids about the “first Thanksgiving”
Mission to Space by John Herrington
Chickasaw John Herrington made history when he became the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space. Mission to Space is illustrated with photos of his time on the crew of the space shuttle Endeavor. There’s also many pictures and descriptions of all the preparations astronauts make before they go to space.
I also liked that there are several references to Herrington’s Chickasaw heritage, including pictures of a stomp dance held to celebrate his mission, and a picture of his flute and eagle feather floating in space. (Recommended for ages 3-8)
Related Post: Seventeen #ownvoices children’s books about Native Americans and First Nations Canadians
Chula the Fox by Anthony Perry
It’s not an easy challenge to write a historical young adult novel that incorporates detailed Native American history and culture, while also keeping up a pace that will hold teens’ interest. I believe Anthony Perry has done an excellent job at both of these in Chula the Fox, set in the Chickasaw homelands in the 1700s.
When a surprise Choctaw raid kills his father and 5 other Chickasaws, young Chula is determined to avenge his father. Chula feels almost responsible for his father’s death. That’s because he failed to tell his father that he saw a biskinok bird, an omen of danger, while he was out hunting. The attack happened soon after he saw the biskinok.
As the elders and warriors of the tribe discuss how they will respond to the Choctaw attack, Chula is eager to be selected to take part in a raid of the village that attacked them.
As his Uncle Lheotubby prepares Chula to take part in the raid, he reminds the young man that much more than bravery and skill will be needed. Lheotubby warns Chula that pride is his greatest threat. It’s a lesson Chula soon learns when he gets into a fight with another boy from his village and both almost miss their chance to participate in the raid.
Perry clearly did an immense amount of research to complete the book. There are many passages that show young readers what 18th century life was like in a Chickasaw village. I particularly appreciated that while much of the story is about what it means to be a man and a warrior, there were also a number of scenes detailing women’s roles in the community.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot of the book, but I will say that what Chula learns about himself by the end of the book brought tears to my eyes. (Recommended for ages 12+)
Related Post: Young Adult Novels that will Inspire Peacemakers
Giveaway! Learn about Native American History with the C is for Chickasaw Coloring Book
To celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day, I’m giving away one copy of the C is for Chickasaw Coloring Book!
How to enter: Leave a blog post comment AND tap on the “Enter the Giveaway” box (it also says “tap here & register to win.”) Be sure to check the box that says “I commented!”
Rules: Contest ends at midnight on January 31st. Due to shipping costs, this contest is only open to readers with a U.S. mailing address (or APO address.)
Join the diverse books conversation and enter giveaways at the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party on January 25th!
Learn more about the Twitter party and how to win one of twelve book bundles here.
What is Multicultural Children’s Book Day?
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2019 (1/25/19) is in its 6th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.
Teachers, scroll to the end of this post to find out how to get free diverse books for your classroom!
MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board!
*View our 2019 Medallion Sponsors here: https://wp.me/P5tVud-
*View our 2019 MCBD Author Sponsors here: https://wp.me/P5tVud-2eN
Medallion Level Sponsors
Honorary: Children’s Book Council, The Junior Library Guild, TheConsciousKid.org.
Super Platinum: Make A Way Media
GOLD: Bharat Babies, Candlewick Press, Chickasaw Press, Juan Guerra and The Little Doctor / El doctorcito, KidLitTV, Lerner Publishing Group, Plum Street Press,
SILVER: Capstone Publishing, Carole P. Roman, Author Charlotte Riggle, Huda Essa, The Pack-n-Go Girls,
BRONZE: Charlesbridge Publishing, Judy Dodge Cummings, Author Gwen Jackson, Kitaab World, Language Lizard – Bilingual & Multicultural Resources in 50+ Languages, Lee & Low Books, Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul, Redfin, Author Gayle H. Swift, T.A. Debonis-Monkey King’s Daughter, TimTimTom Books, Lin Thomas, Sleeping Bear Press/Dow Phumiruk, Vivian Kirkfield,
MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Author Sponsors on board
Honorary: Julie Flett, Mehrdokht Amini,
Author Janet Balletta, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Josh Funk, Chitra Soundar, One Globe Kids – Friendship Stories, Sociosights Press and Almost a Minyan, Karen Leggett, Author Eugenia Chu, CultureGroove Books, Phelicia Lang and Me On The Page, L.L. Walters, Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Hayley Barrett, Sonia Panigrah, Author Carolyn Wilhelm, Alva Sachs and Dancing Dreidels, Author Susan Bernardo, Milind Makwana and A Day in the Life of a Hindu Kid, Tara Williams, Veronica Appleton, Author Crystal Bowe, Dr. Claudia May, Author/Illustrator Aram Kim, Author Sandra L. Richards, Erin Dealey, Author Sanya Whittaker Gragg, Author Elsa Takaoka, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Anita Badhwar, Author Sylvia Liu, Feyi Fay Adventures, Author Ann Morris, Author Jacqueline Jules, CeCe & Roxy Books, Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace, LEUYEN PHAM, Padma Venkatraman, Patricia Newman and Lightswitch Learning, Shoumi Sen, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Traci Sorell, Shereen Rahming, Blythe Stanfel, Christina Matula, Julie Rubini, Paula Chase, Erin Twamley, Afsaneh Moradian, Lori DeMonia, Claudia Schwam, Terri Birnbaum/ RealGirls Revolution, Soulful Sydney, Queen Girls Publications, LLC
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts
A Crafty Arab, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Biracial Bookworms, Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Descendant of Poseidon Reads, Educators Spin on it, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joy Sun Bear/ Shearin Lee, Jump Into a Book, Imagination Soup,Jenny Ward’s Class, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Raising Race Conscious Children, Shoumi Sen, Spanish Playground
TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Make A Way Media: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/25/19 at 9:00pm.E.S.T. TONS of prizes and book bundles will be given away during the party. GO HERE for more details.
FREE RESOURCES From MCBD
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
3 responses to “Learning Native American History with 5 #ownvoices children’s books from Chickasaw Press”
They all sound wonderful! I think my kids would love Good Night, Trilobite.
Greetings and Happy MCBD!!! Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful book reviews. Several of them are on my “read” list. Especially Chula the Fox and Little Loksi. 🙂
We bought Mission to Space back in 2017 and it’s still in rotation around here. C is for Chickasaw has been on my wishlist ever since, but now I’ll have to add these others too! In particular, Chula the Fox sounds very interesting.