Children’s books chronicling Thanksgiving have become quite controversial, and for good reason. American Indians in Children’s Literature’s Debbie Reese recalls Oyate’s list of Thanksgiving books they did not recommend due to historical inaccuracies, and erroneous depictions of native peoples. Oyate removed the list from their site. However, Reese believes it’s important for teachers, parents, and students to understand why the books on Oyate’s lists don’t deserve a place on their shelves.
Established in 2006, American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society.
Read more about Native American voices in children’s literature, here.
Get the full story at American Indians in Children’s Literature.
Thanks for doing this post! Some books are cringe-worthy. Like the one in which the Berenstain Bears get a turkey that is named Squanto. Papa Bear plans to kill it and eat it, but Sister Bear objects. In the end they turn it into a pet and keep it in a cage. Dreadful!
Oh my Debreese–that is horrible, but also quite funny!