• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 5 to 9

A dynamic visual snapshot of North America’s first peoples.

Packed with exciting infographics that capture the history and culture of Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada, this compact and innovative approach decodes information simply and clearly. Using highly colorful, vibrant layouts including maps, pictographs, charts, and timelines, the book builds understanding with answers to questions such as:

• How did the first humans come to America?
• How did the arrival of European settlers affect Native American populations?
• What are some issues Native Americans face today?
Designed to quickly engage readers, The Big Picture: Native Americans is an appealing, accessible entry point into a vast and multifaceted topic.

Shaker Paleja is an actor and writer who has performed in theaters across North America, and appeared on numerous film & TV shows. He is the author of Native Americans: A Visual Exploration (2014) and Power Up!: A Visual Exploration of Energy (Spring 2015) for Annick Press. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and daughter.

Shaker Paleja's profile page

Kevin Loring is a member of the Nlakapmux (Thompson) First Nation in Lytton, British Columbia.

As an actor he has performed in numerous plays across Canada, including Marie Clements’ Burning Vision and Copper Thunderbird, and most recently in the Canada National Arts Centre’s 40th anniversary production of George Ryga’s The Ecstasy of Rita Joe.

He also starred in the 2007 feature film Pathfinder, and co-produced and co-hosted the documentary Canyon War: The Untold Story about the 1858 Fraser Canyon War.

He was the recipient of the 2005 Vancouver Arts Award for Emerging Theatre Artist, Artist in Residence at The Playhouse Theatre Company in 2006, and is currently Playwright in Residence at the National Arts Centre.

His first play Where the Blood Mixes, won the Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Original Script; the Sydney J. Risk Prize for Outstanding Original Script by an Emerging Playwright; and most recently the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.

Where the Blood Mixes premiered at the 2008 Luminato Festival in Toronto. Presented at the 2008 Magnetic North Festival in Vancouver, it opened on the day of the House of Commons’ apology for the legacy of suffering generations of aboriginal people continue to endure as a result of their experiences at residential schools. A remount of this production, in association with the playwright’s own company, The Savage Society, is scheduled for a national tour as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

Kevin Loring participated in the closing ceremonies of the Aboriginal Pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Kevin Loring's profile page

“...an amazing amount of information is presented on these 48 pages.”—Canadian Teacher Magazine, 05/13

“The text … contains a high level of detail, yet the information is presented with simple language that may be easily grasped by children.”—CM Reviews, 06/13

“The colorful pictures help to draw children’s interest and they also help reluctant readers access the content.”—The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature, 08/13

“… may ultimately be the best thing out on the market today.”—School Library Journal.com, 05/28/13

“… an entertaining and informative snapshot …”—Canadian Children’s Book News, 08/13

“… an excellent introduction to indigenous peoples throughout the United States and Canada and a great jumping off point to further exploration …” —Resource Links, 12/13

“… a wonderful introduction to American Indians. This engaging book serves as a great starting point for social studies investigations.”—Teacher Librarian, 06/01/14

“… a well-organized visual feast of information …”—Green Teacher, 03/14