Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs
Naomi's Road
Native American People Series
Native American Series: Aboriginals of the Northwest
Native Americans: People of the Plains
Native Dwellings Series
Nature's Story Through the Seasons in Saskatchewan
The Navajos
Nelson Canadian Atlas
Nelson Intermediate Atlas
New Big House
New Friends
North American Aboriginal Art
North American Aboriginal Charts
Northern Games
Nykola and Granny
The Nystrom Canadian Desk Atlas
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs (Print-Fiction). De Paola, Tomie. Puffin (PBC), 1973. unp. ISBN 0-14-050290-4 ($5.99 pbk.).
As a young boy, Tommy enjoys visiting his grandmother, Nana Downstairs, and his bedridden great-grandmother, Nana Upstairs. When Nana Upstairs dies, Tommy's mother consoles him by saying that Nana will come back in his memory whenever Tommy thinks about her. She speculates that a falling star is a kiss from Nana Upstairs. Years later, another falling star reminds Tommy of his now deceased Nana Downstairs. This is a simple, tender story of a young child's relationship with the elderly.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 4
Other Use: English Language Arts
Naomi's Road (Print-Fiction). Kogawa, Joy. Oxford University Press (STO), 1986. 82 p. ISBN 0-19-540547-1 ($9.95 pbk.).
(CAN) The novel describes Naomi's experiences during the 1940s while she lived in Vancouver, in an internment camp for Japanese-Canadians, and on a farm in Alberta. The reader sees the war through the eyes of a child finding pleasure in small joyful adventures while surviving hardship and prejudice. This a well written story that is relatively easily read.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 2
Native American People Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Rourke (SBC), 1989-92. 31 p. ($19.50 hdc.).
| The Blackfoot | ISBN 0-86625-395-5 |
| The Navajo | ISBN 0-86625-380-7 |
| The Ojibwe | ISBN 0-86625-381-5 |
| The Ottawa | ISBN 0-86625-394-7 |
(I/M) This series provides detailed descriptions of North American Aboriginal Peoples' history, social structure, daily lives, Elders, victories, and defeats. The timeline spans 1540s to 1990s. Included are colour drawings and photos, a table of contents, index and chronology of important dates.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 2
Native American Series: Aboriginals of the Northwest (Video). Barr Films (VEC), 1993. 30 min. Order no. 00V285 ($493.00).
(I/M) Jackie Timothy hosts this look at the Northwest Coast Nations. He discusses potlatch ceremonies, food sources, transportation, the cedar tree, totem poles, singing, dancing and storytelling.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 2
Native Americans: People of the Plains (Video). Rainbow Educational Video (MCI), 1993. 24 min. ($139.00).
(I/M) Providing the reader with a general overview of the land where the Plains Aboriginal Peoples lived in the early 1800s, the book also depicts in detail a Sioux family - what their beliefs were, how they hunted and cooked, and how they made tools, weapons and clothing.
Suggested Use: Grade 4-Unit 2
Native Dwellings Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Shemie, Bonnie. Tundra (BB), 1989-1991. 24 p. ($9.75 hdc.).
Houses of Hide and Earth (Plains Aboriginals)
BB 1794
Houses of Wood (The Northwest Coast)
BB 2523
Houses of Snow, Skin, and Bones (The Far North)
BB 1380
Houses of Bark: Tipi, Wigwam and Longhouse (Woodland Aboriginals)
BB 1793
Mounds of Earth and Shell (The Southwest)
BB 7096
(CAN, I/M) In this series, historic information is presented about the tools, design, materials and construction of Aboriginal homes in various regions. Diagrams and colour illustrations are accompanied by informative captions and pages of detailed text. The books show, not only how the various Aboriginal Nations used resources in their environments to build their homes, but also their lifestyles, art and customs. Although the text is challenging, these are interesting resources which are useful at this level.
Suggested Use: Grade 3-Unit 2
Nature's Story Through the Seasons in Saskatchewan (Video). Cherry Film Productions (MGR), 1972. 28 min. Dup. order no. V6480.
(SK) Although this video has a science focus, it does show the various landscapes and wildlife found in this province, as well as the natural seasonal changes.
Suggested Use: Grade 4-Unit 1; Grade 2-Unit 1
The Navajos (Print-Non-Fiction). Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. (A First Americans Book). Holiday House (ALL), 1993. 32 p. ISBN 0-8234-1039-0 ($24.95 hdc.).
(I/M) This colourful resource provides historical information about the Navajo or Dineh, including a creation story, a map showing distribution of linguistic groups, lifestyles and hardships such as the Long Walk of 1863. The book includes quotations from famous Navajo leaders and an index.
Suggested Use: Grade 4, 5-Unit 2
Nelson Canadian Atlas (Atlas). Matthews, Geoffrey J. Nelson (BB), 1988. 96 p. Order no. BB 5268 ($18.35 pbk.). Teacher's Edition - Order no. BB 5269 ($31.40 pbk.).
(CAN) This excellent atlas of Canada shows geographic features, industries, natural resources and demographics. Maps of the provinces are large and easily read. Many of the maps have accompanying photographs of the region. A section at the beginning deals with map reading skills. Included are a table of contents, index, glossary, landsat photos, and graphs.
Suggested Use: All Grades
Other Use: Social Studies 7
Nelson Intermediate Atlas (Atlas). Matthews, Geoffrey J. Nelson Canada (BB), 1990. 144 p. Order no. BB 6063 ($26.15 hdc.). Teacher Resource Book - Order no. BB 6064 ($26.15 coil-bound).
(CAN) This atlas includes most of the material in the Nelson Canadian Atlas as well as maps of other regions of the world.
Suggested Use: Grades 3, 4, 5
Other Use: Social Studies 6, 7, 8, 9
New Big House (Print-Fiction). Gliori, Debi. Candlewick (DGL), 1991. unp. ISBN 1-56402-036-3 ($14.95 hdc.).
The parents of three children feel their house is too small for them, but after they look at several other houses, they decide to build an addition to theirs. Now their house is so big that granny is thinking of moving in with them. Text and illustrations portray the family through joys and disasters and with a sense of humour.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 4
New Friends (Print-Non-Fiction). (Alternatives to Racism Series). WEDGE (BB), 1984. 46 p. Order no. BB 7039 ($15.10 pbk.). Teacher's Guide - Order no. BB 7040 ($12.75 pbk.).
(CAN) When Susan moves from her country home in Alberta to a culturally diverse neighbourhood in the city, she learns to appreciate her friends' foods and customs. Susan, who has a Scottish background, enjoys learning about children who are Greek, Vietnamese, East Aboriginal and Kwakiutl. The teacher's guide suggests activities which encourage the development of positive attitudes toward people from different cultures.
Suggested Use: Grade 3-Unit 1
North American Aboriginal Art (Print-Non-Fiction). Furst, Peter T. and Jill L. Furst. Rizzoli (MCC), 1982. 236 p. ISBN 0-8478-0572-7 ($41.50 pbk.).
(I/M) An exploration of Aboriginal artwork throughout North America, this lavishly illustrated collection contains over 200 colour plates and authoritative text validating the aesthetic quality of Aboriginal artwork. Art from major tribal areas from the Hopi People in Southwest United States to the Inuit of northern Canada is included. Colour plates include examples of weaving, rock paintings, totem poles, sculptured ornaments, masks, bead and quill work, painted hides and pipes.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 2; All Grades
Other Use: Arts Education 6-8
North American Aboriginal Charts (Poster). Rodgers, E.S. Royal Ontario Museum (UTP) ($5.95 each poster).
| Assiniboine Aboriginals | ISBN 0-88854-376-X |
| Naskapi Aboriginals | ISBN 0-88854-377-8 |
| Toys and Games | ISBN 0-88854-378-6 |
| Woodland Cree Aboriginals | ISBN 0-88854-379-4 |
(CAN), I/M) Each poster has vivid colour photographs of North American Aboriginal artifacts which are explained on an accompanying paper. Included are topics such as "Toys" and "Musical Instruments" as well as pictures of handwork of specific Aboriginal Peoples.
Suggested Use: Grade 3-Unit 2; Grade 5-Unit 2
Northern Games (16 mm/Video). National Film Board (MHP/NFB), 1981. 26 min. 16 mm film (MGR) - Order no. 20841. Video (NFB) - Order no. 0181-545 ($26.95).
(CAN, I/M)) The traditional games of the Inuit are practised 800 km north of the Arctic Circle by youth in competition from communities across the North. The film describes the skills required to play them; the traditions behind the games; and the spirit of co-operation, as opposed to hard competition, that inspires the participants.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 1
Nykola and Granny (Print-Fiction). Horne, Constance E. (Jean Pac Series). Gage Educational Publishing Company (GAG), 1988. 169 p. ISBN 0-7715-7019-8 ($4.95 pbk.).
(CAN) Nykola is left in the Ukraine when his family moves to Manitoba in the late 1800s. During a long and difficult journey, Nykola's granny brings him safely to his family and their new but difficult life in Canada. This novel describes vividly various experiences related to immigration.
Suggested Use: Grade 5-Unit 2
Other Use: English Language Arts
The Nystrom Canadian Desk Atlas (Atlas). Nystrom (NYS), 1995. 168 p. ISBN 0-7825-0587-2 ($12.95 pbk.).
This atlas contains several world regional maps accompanied by graphs and colour photos. Maps are clear and easily read, and are referenced in the index by degrees of longitude and latitude. The atlas includes a table of contents, index, glossary, abbreviations, examples of map projections and world facts tables.
Suggested Use: Atlas