Black Bears & Blueberries
A fun, fun, beautifully illustrated story about two grandparent bears and their grandchildren, and their animal friends. Published in two versions. Introduces some Dakota and Ojibwemowin animal words.
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Themes: family, grandparents, sharing, gratitude, community.
From Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing. To find the book, visit your local library or purchase from an Indigenous book store.
About the Author and Honored Guests
Elizabeth Albert-Peacock is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She was a faculty member in the Education Department of the University of Minnesota Duluth for many years. She has authored numerous children’s books, including Black Bears & Blueberries.
Thomas Peacock is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. He has co-authored/authored books on Ojibwe history and culture, education, fiction and racism.
To work with Indigenous authors and illustrators in developing and publishing books using their voice and their art to promote cultural literacy for everyone.
About the Illustrator
Erin Kant Barnard has illustrated hundreds of educational titles found around the world including all titles by Kagan Publishing like Cooperative Learning (which has so far sold almost a million copies). Mom Needs a Dinosaur! is her first picture book and the Rhino & Dino series is her first as an author/illustrator. She has also illustrated 5 books for the Native American company, Black Bears & Blueberries, which were printed in both English and Lakota (Erin’s is a Dakota descendant). Although technically disabled with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Erin loves illustrating as much as she can from her tropically-decorated space called the Tiki Room. Erin finds that she’d much rather draw dinosaurs than dig them up!
– from Seabear Press.
Discussion Questions
- What do you like to do with your family when you visit relatives like your grandparents?
- The kids in this book show gratitude and kindness by thanking the Creator, offering a spirit plate, and sharing with neighbors. How do you show gratitude for food? How do you show gratitude to your community?
- At the end of the book, everyone pitches in to make a feast. How do you like to help your family celebrate being together?
Learning Activities
- With an adult, try making blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, or blueberry jam!
- Organize a feast with your family, friends, and neighbors. Encourage everyone to bring a dish to pass!
- Brainstorm actions you can take to show kindness and gratitude to your community.
Explore More
- Explore the collaborative initiative between Room to Read Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing, which will distribute seven new books in 2026 free to schools, libraries, and other organizations in each tribal nation.
- Watch an interview with Elizabeth Albert-Peacock and Thomas Peacock from the Perpich Native Authors & Artists Series.
- Listen to a Books are Good Medicine interview with Elizabeth Albert-Peacock and Thomas Peacock.