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Recent Starred Reviews
Check It Out Now on NetGalley!
A very special kids’ book treat awaits you this week on NetGalley. Brought to you by Kube Publishing, THE BOOKSHIP, by award-winning author Hiba Noor Khan and enchantingly illustrated by Julian Ariza, whisks readers away with young Alia on a magical journey. Grieving as her grandad fades and she worries that his storytelling will be lost, she–and we–find how stories live on. Stories, when shared, bring light, love, and adventure to all who listen. Download your preview copy this week and get ready to share this picture book publishing in May.
Read It Now: Our Latest Article
- Spotlight on Medicine Wheel Publishing
Since the publication of its first book in 2016, Canada-based Medicine Wheel Publishing has been dedicated to creating culturally authentic Indigenous books and resource materials that invite readers of all ages to engage respectfully and meaningfully with Indigenous culture. This commitment began with Raven’s Feast and has continued to shape the company’s mission, but it was the publication of Phyllis Webstad’s true story, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, by founder Teddy Anderson (Yeíl S’aghi) that brought wider recognition to Medicine Wheel Publishing as a devoted steward and supporter of Indigenous creators and their stories.
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, written by Phyllis Webstad (Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation) and illustrated by Brock Nicol, tells the story of six-year-old Phyllis’s first day at Residential School. Proud to wear the bright orange shirt her Granny had given her, she arrives full of excitement—only to have it taken away, the first of many losses she would experience. This powerful story became the foundation for the Orange Shirt Day movement and inspired the creation of the Orange Shirt Society, which raises awareness about the lasting impacts of Indian Residential Schools on individuals, families, and communities across generations. Medicine Wheel Publishing is the official publisher and supporter of the Orange Shirt Society, and further extends this educational work through Phyllis Webstad’s online classroom, the Circle of Learning, which offers accessible resources for deeper engagement and understanding.
Continuing this work of fostering understanding through storytelling, TESS’S RED DRESS, by Carolyn Roberts (St’at’imc and Sto:lo) and illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit and Filipina), uses age-relevant and careful, empathetic language to introduce young children to Red Dress Day and the importance of remembering the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People. The story follows Tess, who is excited about becoming a big sister and curious about her mother’s childhood. Through shared memories, she learns about her aunt—one of the missing—and comes to understand how her family honors her by wearing red and keeping her memory alive.
Founded by Teddy Anderson (Yeíl S’aghi), Medicine Wheel Publishing produces a wide-ranging collection of Indigenous-focused books, from picture books to middle grade fiction to powerful titles for adult readers. The team works closely with creators to ensure that every word and illustration is approved by both the storytellers and the Elders connected to each story, grounding each publication in authenticity and respect. This commitment extends beyond books to include teaching guides, board games, reflection cards, and other resources that share Indigenous stories and lived experiences, as well as hands-on opportunities for young people to tell their own stories through initiatives like MWPKids, which supports children in writing and publishing their own work.
And watch for more from Medicine Wheel Publishing
Rooted in community, respect, and care, Medicine Wheel continues to support Indigenous schools and organizations by donating books and contributing to nonprofits such as the Orange Shirt Society, the Indian Residential School Survivor Society, and the ArtsCan Circle—reflecting its belief in uplifting both creators and the broader circle of community.