Best Children’s Books About Native Americans (2026)

Finding the best children’s books about Native Americans means matching the right story to the right reader. This list compares five picture books and early readers on Native folklore, history and traditions, scored on fit, contents, value and the reading age or grade level each listing states.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Indian Paintbrush by dePaola	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Rough-Face Girl by Martin	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Wild Horses by Goble	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Squanto's Journey by Bruchac	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Trail of Tears by Bruchac	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Indian Paintbrush by dePaola

Tomie dePaola·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page picture-book legend of a Plains Indian boy’s dream-vision, for ages 5 to 8.

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Pros

• 40 pages, the longest picture book here.
• Age 5 - 8 years, grade Preschool - 3.
• First edition, Putnam & Grosset, 1996.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers.
• No series or sequel stated.
• 1996 edition; check for a newer printing.

2

The Rough-Face Girl by Martin

Rafe Martin·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An Algonquin Cinderella variant in 32 pages, for ages 5 to 9.

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Pros

• Algonquin folklore retelling, on theme.
• Age 5 - 9 years, grade 3 and up.
• Reissue edition from Puffin Books.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers.
• 32 pages, shorter than the 40-page picks.
• 1998 publication; an older edition.

3

Wild Horses by Goble

Paul Goble·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A simply told horse story of a Native American girl, for ages 2 to 8.

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Pros

• Lowest age here: 2 - 8 years.
• Grade Kindergarten - 2 stated.
• 2nd edition from Aladdin.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers.
• Simple text; older readers may outgrow it.
• 1993 publication, the oldest here.

4

Squanto's Journey by Bruchac

Joseph Bruchac·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page account of Squanto and the first Thanksgiving, for ages 6 to 9.

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Pros

• The 1620 landing and first Thanksgiving.
• Age 6 - 9 years, grade Preschool - 3.
• 1st edition, Clarion Books, 2007.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers.
• 32 pages; a brief account of a big topic.
• No series or further reading stated.

5

Trail of Tears by Bruchac

Joseph Bruchac·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Step 5 early chapter book on the 1838 Cherokee removal, for ages 7 to 9.

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Pros

• Step 5 chapter-book format.
• 48 pages, the most content here.
• Grade 2 - 4, age 7 - 9 years.

Cons

• Mentions war and forced removal; preview for sensitive readers.
• Reading age marked as from customers.
• 1999 publication, an older edition.

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More picks to compare

• Arrow to the Sun by McDermottPueblo legend in bold art, ages 3-7.Check on Amazon
• North American Indians by GorslineSurvey of over 12 Native peoples, ages 5-9.Check on Amazon
• On Powwow Day by SorellBoard book counting one to ten, baby to 3 years.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five picks list both, though every reading age is marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best children’s books about native americans

Match the reading age

Every pick lists a reading age and a grade level, but all five reading ages are marked as from customers, so check the grade level too. Wild Horses lists ages 2 – 8 for the youngest; Trail of Tears lists ages 7 – 9 for chapter readers. More history: best children’s books about Native American history.

Legends or history

Three picks retell Native folklore legends; Squanto’s Journey and Trail of Tears cover historical events. Folktales suit read-aloud time, history picks suit school units. Also see best historical fiction books about Native Americans.

Check the edition

Publication dates run 1993 to 2007; confirm the edition line before ordering.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and date; several picks have reissue or 2nd editions.
• Match the grade level to the reader; every reading age is customer-marked.
• Preview Trail of Tears for sensitive readers: the description mentions war and forced removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these books for?

Reading ages run 2 – 8 to 7 – 9 years, all marked as from customers; grade levels run Preschool – 3 to 2 – 4.

Which book should a 5-year-old start with?

Wild Horses lists ages 2 – 8 and the Paintbrush legend 5 – 8, both simple picture-book text.

Are these books by Native authors?

Listings name the authors but not their backgrounds, except Traci Sorell of the more-picks board book, listed as Cherokee.

Still deciding? Our top pickIndian Paintbrush by dePaola

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: best children’s books about diversity, best children’s books about perseverance, best historical fiction books about Native Americans and best children’s books about Native American history.