Here Come the Aunties! by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Aphelandra - ADVISABLE

Here Come the Aunties! by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Aphelandra. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins Children's Books, 2026. $18. 9780063374690

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young boy is so lucky to have many aunties in his life. From biological aunts to friends, neighbors and community members,the boy and his family are loved by so many! Aunties teach him at school, go fishing and make moccasins for him. Is it possible to have too many aunties?

Leitich Smith celebrates the boy's indigenous heritage. She goes through all the seasons and all that the aunties do for the boy and his family. There are only a few sentences on each page and the pages are colorful. Here Comes the Aunties is a beautiful dedication to Indigenous culture. The boy and his family are indigenous but it does not identify which tribe.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Aya Has Never Seen a Bear by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu'er - ESSENTIAL

Aya Has Never Seen a Bear by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu'er. PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Books, 2026. $21. 9781778403064

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Aya lives with her grandparents in northern China. They are part of an indigenous tribe by the name of Oroqen. Since Aya has never seen a bear, she and her grandfather set out to look for some. Her grandfather knows just where to find them. They see many other animals along the way and respect the wildlife like all Oroqen.

Just the beautiful illustrations make this book worth the read! The translated story holds one's attention as Aya introduces us to her culture. This story provides a great way to introduce children to indigenous peoples of other countries. The author includes other notes about the tribe at the end of the book.

MOMMAC 

A Land of Books by Duncan Tonatiuh - ADVISABLE

A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters by Duncan Tonatiuh. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Abrams/Amulet. 2022. $20. 9781419749421 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

For centuries, Mesoamerican and Aztec "word painters" created beautiful books recording the stories of their people. They were laid out flat for reading but were folded up for storage. The paper and paints were made by hand. These writers were highly educated, as they needed to understand religion, astronomy, war, and history and be able to express themselves through their drawings and paintings. The skills were passed from parents to children, and the books were often read at festivals. 

Duncan Tonatiuh includes words from Nahuatl, an ancient language which still exists today. They are set in a context, so the reader knows what they mean, however, a glossary with a pronunciation guide is included. There is also an extensive author's note and some excellent websites and sources. Tonatiuh's illustrations are beautiful, and reminiscent of the ancient carvings in Mexico. 

 Lisa Librarian

Child of the Flower-Song People by Gloria Amescua and Duncan Tonatiuh - ESSENTIAL

Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jimenez, Daughter of the Nahua by Gloria Amescua, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY. Abrams Books for Young Readers (Abrams), 2021. $19. 9781419740206 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE, EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Luz Jiminez was an indigenous Nahua in the early 1900s in Mexico. She spoke her people's language, and knew their culture and their ways. She could grind corn on a metate, weave on a loom and even spin yard with her toes. But when her family was forced from their lands and had to resettle in Mexico City, Luz learned the Spanish at the city schools. However, always a champion of the Nahua, she worked to preserve their ways and culture, inspiring artists and scholars alike. 

Duncan Tonatiuh's illustrations highlight this beautiful story of perseverance and grit. What an amazing short biography, and a must read for classes studying Mexican history. Includes an author's note, a photograph(!) timeline, a glossary and bibliography.

Lisa Librarian