While some children's books present Indigenous peoples and themes in an honest, sensitive way, others reinforce negative stereotypes. Resources listed below are meant to assist you in evaluating children's literature for bias.
Blogs and Online Resources:
American Indians In Children's Literature
This blog, owned by Dr. Debbie Reese, contains book reviews, recommended book lists, and more. The blog is searchable, and can be browsed by resources for teachers.
Assessing and Validating Resources: Aboriginal Heritage [PDF]
Produced by Library and Archives Canada, this two-page document outlines some issues to look out for when evaluating materials on Indigenous Peoples.
De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children
Contributors of De Colores review and critique children's and young adult books about Raza peoples throughout the Diaspora. The blog contains critical reviews, poems, “living stories,” and essays setting the work in cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts.
Oyate's How to Tell the Difference
A checklist of stereotypes to look out for when evaluating books with Indigenous content. Based on a book by the same name.
Books:
A Broken Flute: The Native Experience in Books for Children by A Broken Flute is an incredible resource for evaluating Indigenous content in children's literature. Browse a list of books reviewed in A Broken Flute.
How to Tell the Difference: A Checklist for Evaluating Children's Books for Anti-Indian Bias by Articles:
Why should I be picky as to what material I present?
Indigenous students – who are not always visible – are harmed when Indigenous cultures and history are misrepresented, or entirely absent, from the classroom. Teaching My Native Child: An Open Letter to My Children's Educators, by Martie Simmons (2018), explores this idea in greater depth.