Star Collection
The Star Collection books for young American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) readers features and celebrates feeling connected to culture and community and having positive relationships with others that are safe, stable, and nurturing.
The Star Collection books were written and illustrated by Marisa Erven (Coquille Tribe of Oregon) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. This two book collection is intended for kindergarten through third grade AIAN readers. Each book has an educator guide to help with classroom, community center, or family discussions, an activity that a child can complete, and selected words translated into Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, Ojibwe, and Yupik.
The Star Collection was inspired by the Eagle Books, a series of books for young AIAN readers that encourage healthy living. Both the Star Collection and Eagle Books are available for free. The Friendship Makers and The Stars That Connect Us are available now!
The Friendship Makers uses a strengths-based approach to model upstander behavior or how to be a good friend. This book aims to respectfully reflect, honor, and celebrate some of the shared characteristics across many AIAN communities and allow opportunities for conversation about a child’s specific tribal traditions.
Each book version has select words translated in Cherokee, Lakota, Ojibwe, Navajo, and Yupik language. If a direct translation of a word was not available, similar alternatives have been included. These books were closely developed with input from tribal leaders, Elders, parents, and teachers.
Please send any questions or comments to injuryprevention@cdc.gov
Stars that Connect Us is about how AIAN children are connected to one another and protected by tribal communities. This book also encourages children to identify people in their life and community they can turn to for support.
Each book version has select words translated in Cherokee, Lakota, Ojibwe, Navajo, and Yupik language. If a direct translation of a word was not available, similar alternatives have been included. These books were closely developed with input from tribal leaders, Elders, parents, and teachers.
Please send any questions or comments to injuryprevention@cdc.gov
The Star Collection eBooks are free for you to download to your Apple or Android mobile device. You will need an eReader app to display the eBooks on your phone or tablet. Search your App Store for an eBook app, like iBooks or Adobe Digital Additions app. The downloaded eBook should open on your device once the app is installed.
The Friendship Makers
Stars That Connect Us
Star Collection Toolkit
The Star Collection Toolkit provides creative resources for use at community events to promote the books. Links to the files and promotional materials are below.
Download the coloring pages
- Friendship Makers #4 [PDF – 2 MB] Coyote meets Janine
- Friendship Makers #16 [PDF – 2 MB] Thinking of making friends
- Stars That Connect Us #4 [PDF – 2 MB] Talking with a Bright One
- Stars That Connect Us #6 [PDF – 2 MB] Field of flowers
- Stars That Connect Us #7 [PDF – 3 MB] Distant mountains
- Stars That Connect Us #17 [PDF – 1 MB] Sun, earth, and moon
Order free copies of our Star Collection books, bookmarks, and posters.