Goodnight Moon is an enduring bedtime story written by American author, Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. It was first published in 1947 and was one few books with no plot, no action, and no adventure. It is simply a lullaby in prose and images. In it we see everything has a place and is changing ever so slowly, which is an important lesson for anyone on their way to falling asleep.

To learn more about the book you may want to listen to the wonderful podcast “In the Great Green Room,” by the folks at This is Love.

Mino-dibikad

Mino-dibikad Dibiki-giizis
Goodnight Moon

Biinjiya’iing gichi-ozhaawashko-abiwan
In the great green room

Gaagiigido-biiwaabikoons gii-ate
There was a telephone

Miinawaa misko-ombaasijigan
And a red balloon

Miinawaa maazinibii’igan . . .
And a picture of . . .

**

Bizhiiki baazhijigwaashkwanid dibiki-giizisong
The cow jumping over the moon

Miinawaa niswi makoonsag namadabiwaad apabiwining
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs

**

Miinawaa niizh gaazhagensag
And two little kittens

Miinawaa ingodwewaanagiziwag minjikaawanag
And a pair of mittens

Miinawaa odaminowaagani-waakaa’iganens
And a little toy house

Miinawaa oshki-waawaabiganoojiinh
And a young mouse

**

Miinawaa binaakwaan miinawaa binaawe’igan miinawaa anoominaaboo ateg boozikinaaganing
And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush

Miinawaa bizaan-ayaad mindimooyenh gaaskanazod “shhh.”
And a quiet old lady who was whispering “hush.”

**

Mino-dibikad abiwan
Goodnight room

**

Mino-dibikad dibiki-giizis
Good night moon

Mino-dibikad bizhiiki baazhijigwaashkwanid dibiki-giizisong
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon

**

Mino-dibikad waazakonenjigan
Goodnight light

Miinawaa misko-ombaasijigan
And the red balloon

Mino-dibikad makoonsag
Goodnight bears

Mino-dibikad apabiwinan
Goodnight chairs

**

Mino-dibikad gaazhagensag
Goodnight kittens

Miinawaa mino-dibikad minjikaawanag
And goodnight mittens

**

Mino-dibikad diba’igiiziswaanag
Goodnight clocks

Miinawaa mino-dibikad azhiganan
And goodnight socks

**

Mino-dibikad waakaa’iganens
Goodnight little house

Miinawaa mino-dibikad waawaabiganoojiinh
And goodnight mouse

**

Mino-dibikad binaakwaan miinawaa mino-dibikad binaawe’igan
Goodnight comb and goodnight brush

**

Mino-dibikad gaawiin awiiya
Goodnight nobody

Miinawaa mino-dibikad anoominaaboo
And goodnight mush

**

Miinawaa mindimooyenh gaaskanazod “shhh”
And goodnight to the old lady whispering “hush”

**

Mino-dibikad anangoog
Goodnight stars

Mino-dibikad inanaamowin
Goodnight air

**

Mino-dibikad gakina gaa-noondamaan miziwekamig.
Goodnight noises everywhere.

To Fall Asleep Holding Hands is a bi-lingual (Ojibwe & English and Menominee & English) children’s story about the gift of relationships and resilience. Follow Waabooz the Otter as she looks for her mother, sings a song to help her be strong and asks for help from her woodland friends.

The book was written by Fionnan Noori, designed by Shannon Noori and illustrated by Dolly Peltier. Margaret Noodin provided the Anishinabemowin translation and Naneque LaTender provided the Menominee translation.

This collaboration is an example of languages in revitalization raising one another up so that all languages are heard and celebrated. The Menominee nation was politically terminated by the United States through an act of congress passed in 1954 but then restored after persistent activism through a bill signed by President Nixon in 1973. The effect on the language was disastrous and only now is the language beginning to thrive again. To find out more about Menominee, which is a member of the same language family as Anishinaabemowin, visit https://menominiyou.org/

You can listen to and learn the song, Basabaagise (Bounce Back) that Waabooz the Otter is singing in the book.

Listen to the book in Ojibwe:
Otter Book Ojibwe

Listen to the book in Menominee:
Otter Book Menominee

This book was created with a gift from Dr. Isabel Bader in partnership with the Electa Quinney Institute. Nearly 400 copies of the book were distributed by author, Fionna Noori to students as a result of this gift.

Original story by Monique Gray Smith
Translated by Angela Mesic and Margaret Noodin
Illustrated by Julie Flett
Copyright: Orca Book Publishers 2021

(Nijiikendam) My Heart Fills with Happiness is a book that reminds us to reflect on what brings us joy. Aaniin apii jiikendaman? What fills YOUR heart with happiness?

The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.

International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.

Listen to the audio read by Margaret Noodin

Nijiikendam

Original story by Richard Van Camp
Translated by Angela Mesic and Margaret Noodin
Illustrated by Julie Flett
Copyright: Orca Book Publishers 2021

Gidagaashiinh (Little You) helps us celebrate the bundle of joys in our life. Nagamotaw (sing to) or agindamaw (read to) the little ones special to you.

Richard Van Camp, internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author of Welcome Song for Baby and We Sang You Home, has partnered with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett to create a tender picture book for babies and toddlers that honors the child in everyone. With its delightful contemporary illustrations, Little You is perfect to be shared, read or sung to all the little people in your life—and the new little ones on the way!

Listen to the audio read by Margaret Noodin

Little You Audio

Original story by Monique Gray Smith

Translated by Angela Mesic and Margaret Noodin

Illustrated by Danielle Daniel

Copyright: Orca Book Publishers 2021

Gimanaadenim (You Hold Me Up) is a book that teaches us how important it is to build meaningful relationships with others. Gimanaadenim teaches us apiitendimowin (respect), gizhewaadiziwin (generosity), and zaagidiwin (love).

Consultant, international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with others. With vibrant illustrations from celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, this is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

Listen to the audio read by Margaret Noodin
You Hold Me Up Audio