written by David Heska Wanbli Weiden and illustrated by Jim Yellowhawk & Pat Kinsella

This biography of Spotted Tail traces the life of the famous Lakota leader who expertly guided his people through a pivotal and tumultuous time in their nation’s history as they fought and then negotiated with the U.S. government. Spotted Tail is remembered for his unique leadership style and deep love for his people. Today, a university is named in his honor. 

My Hands Tell a Story

Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Tonya Engel

A little girl, baking bread with her grandmother, becomes transported by the tales her grandmother’s hands tell—those that spring from the rose-painted nails, a flower-banded wedding ring, and the way her fingers move and glide.

Voices of the People

Written by Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Sonny Assu, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Jeffrey Gibson, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Rory Wakemup, Shan Goshorn, Jodie Herrera, Tony Tiger, Gregg Deal, Jordon Ann Craig, Alex Jacobs, Tom Harjo, Greg Ballenger, Bobby C. Martin, Andy Everson, Steven Paul Judd, Norman Aker

Through poems that capture the essence of each person’s life, acclaimed Native American writer Joseph Bruchac introduces readers to famous indigenous leaders from The Peacemaker in 1000 A.D. to modern day dancer Maria Tallchief and Cherokee chief Wilma Mankiller. Each poem is illustrated by a modern-day tribally enrolled artist.

The Legend of the Spirit Serpent

written by Adaiah Sanford and illustrated by Ken Daley

This modern retelling of a traditional Kalinago legend from the Caribbean island of Dominica recounts the story of a huge serpent who once guarded the indigenous people.

Footprints

Written by Jennifer Swanson

Every footprint—from the physical to the digital and the permanent to the fleeting—leaves a mark on Earth telling a story of the past, the present, or the future.

·      Las Escultoras de La Luz

·      The Sculptors of Light

·      The Ramadan Drummer

·      Bumble Brothers Crazy for Comics

·      Ferdinand Cheval

·      Mercado

·      Moon Tree

·      Story Quilts

·      Blood Brothers

·      RIBBIT

·      Home

·      One Land Many Nations

·      Storm Warning

·      Dandan’s Dream

·      Ambush

·      Bahar the Lucky

·      Woodpecker Girl

·      Black Cat Yellow Bunny

·      Dolley Madison, the White             House, and the Big Tornado

·      Storm Warning

·      It’s Okay

·      Whooo Knew?
       The Truth About Owls

·      Soraya & the Mermaid

·      My Big Family

·      Grandma and the Rooster

·      One Afternoon

·      The Reluctant Storyteller

·      The Powwow Thief

·      Black Cat, Yellow Bunny

·      Rice

·      Dear Abuelo

·      Call Me Max

These authors and illustrators represent a vast tapestry of cultures, lifestyles, and experiences, and they share their unique voices and visions through their craft. They enrich children’s literature with their talents, opening new horizons to readers with their thoughtful and enlightening perspectives.

Featuring:

Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than 80 books and short stories for children. A graduate of MIT, she holds degrees in Civil Engineering and Art and Design. The mother of two, she lives in Kansas City with her husband, Ken, a tank of fish, and a cat who thinks she is both servant and head of the pride.

Kyle Lukoff has worked at the intersection of books and people for over half his life, first as a bookseller, then as a school librarian, and now as a writer. His is a Stonewall Award-Winning author. Kyle is transgender, like Max, and lives in a small Brooklyn apartment with six overflowing bookshelves.

 Joseph Bruchac is the author of more than 120 books for children and adults. His work includes poetry, short stories, novels, anthologies, and music, all reflecting his Native American heritage. Bruchac has received numerous awards for his writing, including the American Library Association Young Adult Fiction Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award.

Rashin Kheiriyeh is an award-winning artist, author, and animation director who has illustrated over eighty children’s books internationally. She won the Sendak Fellowship Award in 2017 and the Bologna Book Fair Ragazzi Award in 2009. Rashin was born in Khorramshahr, Iran, in 1979. Since she was a little girl, her great passion was to become an artist. The beauty of Persian rugs and her interest in astrology inspired her to write and illustrate Bahar, the Lucky. She now lives in Washington, D.C., where she teaches art at the University of Maryland and enjoys illustrating for The New York Times, Google, and many amazing publishers around the world.

Wook Jin Jung was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. He is an illustrator and storyteller, as well as a graphic designer in the field of children’s education. He has illustrated many picture books, including Black Cat, Yellow Bunny, Robot, Go Bot!, I Am SuperKid!, and This Foot Needs a Shoe.

Ángeles Ruiz was born in Barcelona, Spain. When she was a child, reading was her favorite subject at school. That was where her passion for creating magical stories and picture books started. Ángeles paints with both traditional and digital brushes using textures and colors in her work to evoke magical environments and emotions. She has illustrated several books for children, including The Lost Kitten by Leyla Torres. Valentina and Monster is the first children’s book she both wrote and illustrated.

Read-aloud Teacher’s Guides invite students to engage in conversation as they respond to, reflect on, and react to the books, and as they research to deep understanding.

• Book Talks provide engaging summaries to captivate students’ imaginations.
• During Reading Conversation Starters cite text evidence to spur discussion and foster deep thinking.
• Social-Emotional Perspectives align to CASEL core competencies.

• Book Recommendations suggest related titles to build thematic collections.
• Respond, Reflect, or Research activities connect to social studies, SEL competencies, and the writer’s craft.
• Real World Action promotes the exploration of perspectives and equity inside and outside the classroom.

Plus: A Teacher’s Guide for every title—available exclusively with Reycraft Books Collections!

Grades K-2

Engage, entertain, and enlighten young readers with wonderful writing, lovely artwork, and most of all, great stories. 

Featured topics in this collection include: 

• Social-Emotional Learning
• Cultures Around the World
• Families

Grades 3-5

Inspire older elementary readers with authentic fiction, captivating stories, and dazzling illustrations.  

Featured topics in this collection include: 

• Indigenous Peoples
• Mysteries
• Animal Facts

Grades K-5 Also Available!

Our exclusive grade-level collections for your school and classroom libraries are linked to the knowledge strands in your units of instruction. Supported by idea-filled Teacher’s Guides for every title, these collections provide reading opportunities that deepen content knowledge, broaden perspectives, and enrich your core curriculum. Collections are available in hardcover or paperback for Grades K-6.

Click here to view all titles in K-6 Knowledge Strand Collection Set 1.

Click here to view all titles in K-6 Knowledge Strand Collection Set 2.

Brochure
Reycraft Books Knowledge Strand Collections Brochure

Plus: A Teacher’s Guide for every title—available exclusively with Reycraft Books Collections!

African and African American Collection

Asian Collection

Children with Disabilities Collection

Family and Community Collection

Graphic Novels Collection

Hispanic and Latin American Collection

Identity Collection

Kindness Collection

LGBTQ+ Collection

Middle Grades Collection

Native American Collection

Nonfiction Collection

Tales Collection

Transitional Chapter Books Collection

And More!

Sample Collection

Allison Briceño and Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica

When you look at all of the reading books in your classroom, can you be sure that each of your students’ voices and experiences are well represented? Drs. Briceño and Rodriguez-Mojica advise on authentic inclusion of different voicesand experiences in the classroom—navigating common questions about diverse texts and improving representation. 

Learn More: Conscious Classrooms

Allison Briceno, Ed.D.

Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica, Ph.D

When quality professional development is paired with quality curriculum, students thrive in content-rich, culturally relevant classrooms. The Reycraft Books Conscious Classroom Collection provides a library of 13 texts showcased in the PD Essentials professional book Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice. These trade books deliver authentic stories and illustrations so that all children can see themselves in books.

Learn More:
Conscious Classrooms Reycraft Books Collection