September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as Survivors, their families, and communities.

For early childhood educators, the day can bring up an important question: How do we help young children understand the meaning behind September 30 in a way that is honest, respectful, and developmentally appropriate?

Books can be a meaningful place to begin.

Stories give educators a way to introduce young children to ideas of family, culture, identity, language, belonging, and fairness while creating opportunities to learn about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. They can also help children encounter Indigenous voices and perspectives as part of their everyday learning, rather than treating Indigenous culture and history as something that belongs only to one day of the year.

When choosing books for your classroom, look for stories created by Indigenous authors and illustrators. It is also important to remember that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples are not one single culture. Indigenous communities across Canada have distinct languages, traditions, histories, and contemporary experiences, so taking the time to understand the cultural context behind a book can help ensure it is being shared respectfully.

What is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in 2021 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. September 30 provides an opportunity to recognize the devastating impact of the residential school system and to honour the children who were taken from their families and communities.

The day also honours residential school Survivors and recognizes the ongoing impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous children, families, and communities.

September 30 is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, which grew from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) woman who was sent to the Mission school near Williams Lake, British Columbia, as a child. When she arrived at residential school, the new orange shirt her grandmother had bought for her was taken away.

Today, the orange shirt serves as a symbol of remembrance and the message that Every Child Matters.

For young children, this message can provide an accessible starting point for conversations about why every child deserves to feel safe, loved, respected, and connected to their family and culture.

Why books are a meaningful way to acknowledge September 30

Young children learn through stories, relationships, play, conversation, and connection. A thoughtful book can help introduce difficult topics in a way that gives children an opportunity to ask questions and make connections to their own experiences.

Books can also help educators approach National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through a culturally responsive teaching lens. Culturally responsive teaching recognizes that children’s cultural identities, languages, family experiences, and prior knowledge are valuable parts of the learning process. In an early learning environment, this can mean intentionally choosing books and classroom materials that reflect the diverse children and families in the community.

It is equally important to provide children with books that show Indigenous people experiencing joy, family life, friendship, nature, creativity, and everyday childhood. While books about residential schools are important, Indigenous stories should not be limited to trauma or historical events. This helps create a more complete and respectful learning environment in which Indigenous children can see themselves represented and all children can learn about the diverse cultures and communities that make up Canada.

Books to Read With Toddlers and Preschoolers on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Choosing a book for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can feel a little daunting, especially when working with toddlers and preschoolers. The history of residential schools is difficult, and young children do not need to be introduced to every detail in order to begin learning about the importance of September 30.

For younger children, look for books that introduce the ideas behind Truth and Reconciliation through belonging, family, kindness, identity, culture, and the message that every child matters. Books written by Indigenous authors can also give children the opportunity to encounter Indigenous voices and perspectives in ways that are positive, thoughtful, and age appropriate.

Here are a few options to consider for your classroom.

1. Today Is Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers, ages 1-3

This is probably the strongest choice for the youngest children in a child care setting. Written by Phyllis Webstad, the founder of the Orange Shirt Day movement, this board book introduces little ones to the meaning behind Orange Shirt Day through simple language and an interactive touch-and-feel format. It is specifically described as a first conversation about Orange Shirt Day and is designed for ages 0–3.

Rather than going into the details of residential schools, the book introduces young children to the idea that September 30 is a day when we gather, listen, learn, and remember. For toddlers, that may be all the context they need.

2. Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad

Best for: Preschoolers, ages 3–6

For preschool-aged children who are ready for a little more context, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt is an accessible adaptation of Phyllis Webstad’s story. It tells how, when Phyllis was six years old, the new orange shirt her grandmother bought for her was taken away when she arrived at residential school.

The story gives educators an opportunity to explain, in simple terms, why children wear orange on September 30 and what the phrase Every Child Matters means.

3. Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad

Best for: Preschool and early elementary

Every Child Matters provides another gentle entry point into the meaning behind September 30. Written by Phyllis Webstad, the book explores the message at the heart of Orange Shirt Day while honouring Indigenous Peoples and moving toward Truth and Reconciliation. It is included in current Canadian Truth and Reconciliation reading lists for younger children.

This could be especially useful for a preschool classroom because it gives educators an opportunity to focus on a concept children already understand: every child deserves to feel valued, safe, and cared for.

4. With Our Orange Hearts by Phyllis Webstad

Best for: Preschool and early elementary

With Our Orange Hearts offers another way to introduce the meaning of Orange Shirt Day while focusing on hope, strength, and moving forward. It is included in the Métis Nation of Ontario’s current Truth and Reconciliation resource list for K–3, making it a potential option for school-age classrooms.

This can be a helpful companion to a conversation about why we wear orange and why remembering is an important part of Truth and Reconciliation.

5. When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers, ages 0–3

While this book is not specifically about residential schools, it is an excellent companion book for a younger classroom. Written by Cree, Lakota, and Saulteaux author Monique Gray Smith, When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of kindness and how those acts make us feel.

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre includes it on its Truth and Reconciliation reading list as a board book for ages 0–3.

It can help educators connect September 30 to concepts young children already understand: caring for others, showing kindness, listening, and making people feel welcome.

A simple way to approach your September 30 read-aloud

For a toddler group, you may only need a very simple explanation: “Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We wear orange to remember that every child matters.”

With preschoolers, you can provide a little more context after reading Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, explaining that Indigenous children were taken away from their families and sent to residential schools, where they were often not allowed to speak their languages or practice their cultures.

From there, let the children guide the conversation. You can talk about family, what makes children feel safe and loved, why names and languages are important, and what it means to make sure everyone feels that they belong.

Look Beyond September 30

While National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gives us a specific opportunity to learn and reflect, Indigenous stories and perspectives should have a place in the classroom throughout the year.

Take a look at your classroom library and ask yourself whose stories children regularly encounter. Are Indigenous authors and illustrators represented? Do the books show Indigenous children and families in a variety of everyday experiences? Are you relying on the same few books every September, or are Indigenous perspectives part of your regular classroom environment?

One of the most meaningful ways to approach culturally responsive teaching is to make sure children encounter Indigenous stories throughout the year, including stories about family, nature, friendship, joy, language, and everyday life. This helps move beyond teaching Indigenous culture only through the lens of residential schools and gives children a broader, more authentic understanding of Indigenous experiences.

Indigenous-Authored Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers You Should Keep Out All Year

Here are five books by Indigenous Authors that can be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers throughout the year.

1. Little You by Richard Van Camp

Best for: Babies and toddlers

Written by author Richard Van Camp and illustrated by Julie Flett, Little You is a beautiful celebration of babies and the joy they bring to their families.

Its simple, lyrical text makes it particularly well suited to babies and toddlers, while the illustrations provide plenty for young children to look at and talk about.

2. My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers

This gentle picture book invites children to think about the people, places, and experiences that make them happy. Written by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Julie Flett, it offers a simple way to explore gratitude, family, nature, and connection.

The book is recommended as an early childhood educator resource for children ages 1.5–3.

3. You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

Best for: Preschoolers

You Hold Me Up explores what it means to support, respect, and care for other people. It is a lovely choice for a preschool classroom because the ideas are concrete enough for young children to understand while still creating opportunities for meaningful conversations about relationships and community.

The book is recommended as an early childhood educator resource for children ages 3-4.

4. Wild Berries by Julie Flett

Best for: Preschoolers

Written and illustrated by Cree-Métis author and artist Julie Flett, Wild Berries follows Clarence and his grandmother as they gather berries and spend time together in nature.

The story is quiet and simple, making it a lovely choice for talking with young children about family relationships, nature, food, and the knowledge that can be shared between generations. An early childhood educator resource recommends the book for children around ages 4–5.

5. A Day with YaYah by Nicola I. Campbell

Best for: Preschool and kindergarten

Written by Interior Salish and Métis author Nicola I. Campbell and illustrated by Julie Flett, A Day with YaYah follows a First Nations family spending time together gathering herbs and mushrooms in the Okanagan.

The story gives children an opportunity to see an Indigenous family sharing knowledge, spending time outdoors, and learning from one another. The Government of British Columbia includes it among recommended resources for younger learners. Remembering, learning, and moving forward.

Final Thoughts

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important opportunity to pause and remember the children who never returned home from residential schools, honour Survivors and their families, and continue learning about Canada’s history.

For early childhood educators, books offer a gentle and meaningful way to begin those conversations.

Choose stories that centre Indigenous voices, create space for children’s questions, and help them understand concepts of family, culture, identity, language, belonging, and respect. Then, keep those stories on your shelves long after September 30 has passed.

Truth and Reconciliation is not something children need to understand all at once. It is an ongoing learning process, and the early years provide an important opportunity to help children develop empathy, curiosity, respect for cultural differences, and an understanding that every child deserves to be seen, valued, and cared for.

Every Child Matters — on September 30 and every day.