Please note that this collection is currently available in Canada only.

A set of 19 levelled texts selected from our 160-book Porcupine Collection with settings, characters and themes which provide support to Indigenous studies in the grades 1-2 classroom. From family narratives to traditional legends and humorous animal characters, there is much to stimulate curiosity and a desire to read among young Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike.

Supporting Indigenous Literacy

Pre-contact Indigenous education involved family and community as teachers and care-givers. Storytelling was a highly developed and respected skill, and Elders stressed the behaviours of listening, watching and waiting. Children were taught to sit still and enjoy the story, gradually learning to apply the teachings to their own day-to-day lives. Since there were no books, movies, radios or television, these stories became the libraries of the people. Storytelling is still hardwired into Indigenous children, families and communities.

When presented with culturally relevant narratives, children will readily identify with the story. Moreover, teaching strategies which encourage students to access their prior knowledge about a book’s topic and link the text to the child’s personal experiences are critical to creating a motivation to read, the most important step towards developing fluency and comprehension.

I have identified a number of books in the Porcupine Collection that I feel will appeal to Indigenous children, although there are many more books in this series that provide topics and characters that will also appeal. Realistic fiction and legends have been balanced with humour, a key element in any early literacy collection. I have worked with Curriculum Plus materials for a number of years, and as a retired literacy teacher, I especially appreciate the downloadable teaching resources on the website, available as 1-page lesson plans and activity masters. Designed for each book in the collection, these resources are well-developed and creative. My favourites are the Readers’ Theatre pieces.

I have witnessed the joy experienced by Indigenous children in my reading groups when they recognized themselves in illustrations and stories relevant to their day-to- day lives. I learned to listen and hear what the students were teaching me. I learned that not only teachers can have the ability to be storytellers. Opportunities and acknowledgement must also be given to those children who have a family story or an event to share, because we all have stories to tell.

Wendy Edwards, M.Ed., Port Alberni, BC
Author/Educator/Consultant

Showing 1–24 of 39 results

  • Mosquitoes

    MOSQUITOES

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Mosquitoes

    MOSQUITOES (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Breakfast Time

    BREAKFAST TIME

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Breakfast Time (6 pack)

    BREAKFAST TIME (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • New Shoes

    NEW SHOES

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • New Shoes (6 pack)

    NEW SHOES (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Meets Skunk

    BOWSER MEETS SKUNK

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Meets Skunk (6 pack)

    BOWSER MEETS SKUNK (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Meets Porcupine

    BOWSER MEETS PORCUPINE

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Meets Porcupine (6 pack)

    BOWSER MEETS PORCUPINE (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • It Was Missy

    IT WAS MISSY

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • It Was Missy (6 pack)

    IT WAS MISSY (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Fishing with Grandpa

    FISHING WITH GRANDPA

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Fishing with Grandpa (6 pack)

    FISHING WITH GRANDPA (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • A WINTER DAY IN THE ARCTIC

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • A WINTER DAY IN THE ARCTIC ( 6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Has a Bath

    BOWSER HAS A BATH

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • Bowser Has a Bath (6 pack)

    BOWSER HAS A BATH (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • The Coyote and the Turkeys

    THE COYOTE AND THE TURKEYS

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • The Coyote and the Turkeys (6 pack)

    THE COYOTE AND THE TURKEYS (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • SUMMER IN THE ARCTIC

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • SUMMER IN THE ARCTIC (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • A Pet for Little Brother

    A PET FOR LITTLE BROTHER

    $7.50

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…

  • A Pet for Little Brother (6 pack)

    A PET FOR LITTLE BROTHER (6 PACK)

    $40.95

    The Porcupine Collection A leveled early reading program – a great start for every child! High Interest Leveled Texts Multi- genre Multicultural Comprehensive Teacher Resource Books Flexible purchasing options By Level, By Theme or By Library Collections Available in French Extra Shared Reading and Literacy Support Resources available View Genre, Curriculum Link, Theme and Reading…