Awards

• Commended for An ALSC Notable Children's Books selection 2026
• Commended for New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids of 2025 2025
• Joint winner of A 2026 Tomás Rivera Children's Book Award winner 2026

Overview

Of the Sun is a powerful ode to the Indigenous children of the world that ignites awe and pride in their cultural heritage, while giving all readers a sense of the history and majesty of the land we live on. A powerful and hopeful ode to Indigenous children. Indigenous. Native. On this land, you may roam. Child of the sun, on this land, you are home. Of the Sun is an uplifting and mighty poem that wraps the Indigenous children of the Americas in reassuring words filled with hope for a brighter future and reminders of their bond and importance to the land. Each page fills them with pride and awe of their cultural heritage and invites them to unite and inspire change in the world. Paired with powerful art reflecting cultures of various Indigenous Nations and Tribes, the poem offers all readers a sense of the history and majesty of the land we live on and how we can better care for ourselves and the world when we recognize our connection to the land and to each other. . Written by Xelena González, poet and activist in the Native and Latinx communities, and an enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation . Bold illustrations by prominent Anishinaabe illustrator Emily Kewageshig depict landscapes across the Americas and children from many backgrounds . Endnotes provide more information on Native and Indigenous unity and activism in younger generations AGES: 3 to 5 AUTHOR: Xelena González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. Her picture books include the award-winning titles All Around Us, Where Wonder Grows, and Remembering. A member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena grows her garden in Yanaguana/San Antonio, Texas, USA. Visit her online at Xelena.Space. Emily Kewageshig is an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller whose work captures the interconnection of life forms using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. She creates artwork that highlights Indigenous knowledge and culture. Emily is a mother of two, and comes from Saugeen First Nation in Ontario, Canada. SELLING POINTS: . AUTHOR: Xelena González is a poet and activist in the Native and Latinx communities, and an enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation. She is the author of Por Todo Nuestro Alredodor a Pura Belpre Honor Book in 2018. . ILLUSTRATOR: Emily Kewageshig is a prominent Anishinaabe illustrator from the Saugeen Ojibwe Nation. Sweeping illustrations depict diverse landscapes across the Americas and children from a wide range of backgrounds . CULTURAL REPRESENTATION: Speaks directly to the Native child, enveloping them in awe and pride in their cultural heritage, and giving all readers a sense of the history and majesty of the land we live on . ACTIVISM AND IDENTITY: Endnotes cover intersectionality between Native and Latinx identities, Native and Indigenous unity, the Land Back movement, and activism in younger generations.

Full Product Details

9798888596500

Table of Contents

Reviews

Of The Sun is a loving homage to the Indigenous peoples of this land—both in González’s beautiful, lyrical poem and Kewageshig’s warm, vibrant Anishinaabe-styled artwork. A wonderful read aloud you must add to bookshelves at home, at school, and in community! - Traci Sorell, award-winning author of We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga and At The Mountain’s Base

New York Public Library's Best Books of 2025 ""A solid addition to every collection, expanding on texts by Indigenous authors"" – School Library Journal ""Of The Sun is a loving homage to the Indigenous peoples of this land—both in González’s beautiful, lyrical poem and Kewageshig’s warm, vibrant Anishinaabe-styled artwork. A wonderful read aloud you must add to bookshelves at home, at school, and in community!"" - Traci Sorell, award-winning author of We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga and At The Mountain’s Base ""A luminous song, poem, promise of cultures and connection, of kinship and caring, for Indigenous children across the continent."" - Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of JINGLE DANCER

Author Information

Xelena González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. Her picture books include the award-winning titles All Around Us, Where Wonder Grows, and Remembering. A member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena grows her garden in Yanaguana/San Antonio, Texas, USA. Visit her online at Xelena.Space. Emily Kewageshig is an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller whose work captures the interconnection of life forms using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. She creates artwork that highlights Indigenous knowledge and culture. Emily is a mother of two, and comes from Saugeen First Nation in Ontario, Canada.

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