The Latest Indigenous Reads for Building Kindness in the Classroom
- Sarah Hudson
- Oct 25
- 4 min read
Discover the best new Indigenous picture books to support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom. Build empathy, identity, and connection with ready-to-use reading response units for Rez Kid, When We Are Kind, Kaiah’s Garden, and more.
The Best New Indigenous Picture Books to Support SEL in the Classroom
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is at the heart of building empathy, understanding, and community in our classrooms. One of the most powerful ways to nurture these skills is through stories — especially those that highlight Indigenous voices, experiences, and perspectives.
Here are SEVEN of the best new Indigenous picture books that beautifully weave together SEL and cultural learning. Each book below includes a link to ready-to-use reading response activities and unit plans to help bring these meaningful stories to life in your classroom.
1. Rez Kid
Andrea Landry’s story beautifully celebrates Indigenous life and encourages readers to take pride in who they are. On the girl’s reservation, readers see her beading, harvesting medicine, gardening, and riding horseback with her elders. Isabella Fassler’s vibrant artwork, full of bold colors and flowing lines, captures the beauty and majesty of nature. The story also delivers an important lesson about responding to aggression with kindness. This book is a great fit for social studies lessons on Indigenous cultures and character education discussions about courage, compassion, and inclusiveness. An author’s note provides a brief history of reservations.
SEL Focus: Self-awareness, self-confidence, pride in identity
Supporting lessons can be found here:
2. When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith
When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates kindness in all its forms — to ourselves, to others, to animals, and to the earth. This gentle, affirming story helps students understand how small acts of kindness create connection and joy in their communities. Perfect for classroom discussions on empathy, belonging, and social-emotional learning, this book encourages children to reflect on how kindness feels and how they can show it every day.
SEL Focus: Empathy, kindness, gratitude
Supporting lessons can be found here:
3. The Green Baby Swing by Thomas King
The Green Baby Swing by Thomas King is a touching story about family, memory, and the love that connects generations. When Xavier and his mom explore their late Nana’s attic, they uncover special treasures that bring her stories to life — and remind them that the people we love stay with us in many ways. With warm, expressive illustrations by Yong Ling Kang, this book gently opens conversations about loss, family heritage, and emotional connection.
SEL Focus: Compassion, belonging, family stories
Supporting lessons can be found here:
4. The Animal People Choose a Leader
The Animal People Choose a Leader by Richard Wagamese is a powerful Indigenous story that explores what true leadership means. When the Animal People gather to choose their next leader, the strongest and fastest boast of their skills — but it’s Waabooz, the humble rabbit, who teaches them that real leadership comes from kindness, respect, and care for others. With beautiful illustrations by Bridget George, this story offers a meaningful way to discuss empathy, humility, and community.
SEL Focus: Leadership, cooperation, humility
Supporting lessons can be found here:
5. I Hope
In I Hope, Monique Gray Smith offers a heartfelt collection of wishes for the young readers in our lives — hopes that they will feel loved, strong, curious, connected, and free to be their true selves. With warm, inclusive illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard, this picture book pairs emotion-filled text with gentle visuals that celebrate diversity, belonging, and care. A perfect read-aloud for preschool to early-primary students, this story supports conversations about identity, community, and the caring relationships that help children thrive.
SEL Focus: Optimism, identity, family connection
Supporting lessons can be found here:
6. Smile So Big
“Smile So Big” tells the story of Challa, a young girl whose wide, bright smile once brought her joy — until classmates teased her for it. Her mother then gifts her a beautiful, beaded mirror passed down through generations, with one rule: look in the mirror and say aloud what you see. As Challa helps friends use the mirror to see their own beauty — long braids, dark skin, small size — the magic grows. Eventually, Challa learns to see her own reflection the way others see her, and the mirror’s magic helps her reclaim her smile. With vibrant Indigenous-led artwork and a story about self-acceptance, strength, and unique beauty, this book is a perfect fit for social-emotional learning, identity & belonging discussions, and classroom conversations on confidence and kindness.
SEL Focus: Confidence, joy, positive self-talk
Supporting lessons can be found here:
7. Kaiah’s Garden
Kaiah’s Garden invites young readers into the tender story of Kaiah, who misses her grandmother and the familiar comforts of her old home. On a grey, lonely morning in a new place, Kaiah opens her treasure box of beadwork—the pieces she and her grandmother created together—and finds a vivid, colourful garden in every bead. As she draws strength from those memories, Kaiah transforms her new space into a garden of love, connection, and hope. With stunning Indigenous-led illustrations and an author’s note exploring the tradition of beading, this book supports lessons on family bonds, cultural expression, and change & resilience.
SEL Focus: Resilience, identity, family
Supporting lessons can be found here:
Common Theme: Connection, Community, and Care
Each of these stories reminds us that SEL isn’t just about self-regulation or emotional vocabulary — it’s about connection. These Indigenous picture books help students see how kindness, empathy, and respect extend beyond the classroom walls to the land, animals, and community.
They offer gentle yet powerful opportunities to discuss values, belonging, and identity while celebrating the strength and wisdom of Indigenous voices.
Bring SEL and Indigenous perspectives together with these ready-to-use resources! Each unit plan is thoughtfully designed to spark meaningful discussion, develop reading comprehension, and build empathy through story.
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