Napesni likes to stamp his hooves and sniff and snort in the dry dust of Cheyenne River Reservation. That all changes, though, when ranchers capture him and bring him to Minnesota instead. Sad, lonely, and homesick, Napesni searches for his family and home in this adventurous story.

Once safely located and protected, Napesni finds a new home through the Red Lake Reservation Buffalo Herd, an organization with the ultimate goal of restoring bison to their previous numbers.

Napesni Renegade introduces a story based on true events to young readers in this lyrical and gorgeously illustrated picture book.

A stark reminder of the ongoing impact of European settlement in the western United States. Animal populations have been negatively impacted for decades, and these herds continue to be key to the survival of Native populations both spiritually and physically today.

Available July 21, 2026 

Pre-Order Today!

"Noozhishenh, bimadiziwin," Nookomis says. "My granddaughter, live a good life."

An Ojibwe grandmother carefully measures and selects just the right colors of fabric, and her sewing machine hums whirr, whirr, whirr late into the night.

In the morning, her growing granddaughter has a beautiful new ribbon skirt to wear, a reminder of her nookomis and the cultural traditions that stitch together her family with love.

This heartwarming story by Marcie Rendon (Ojibwe), with stunning illustrations by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Ojibwe), celebrates the power of Indigenous craft and community and weaves together the spirit of resilience, female empowerment, and gratitude for the generations that came before us.

★ Kirkus Reviews (starred): “…sturdy, stylized characters sporting brilliantly textured garments that pop with color; readers will feel welcomed into the community alongside Nookomis and her granddaughter. Rendon expertly works information about Ojibwe culture…explains that ribbon skirts are a ‘sacred, spiritual, and political’ symbol of Indigenous resilience, passed down by generations of women.”

Picture book, ages 4-8. Includes an Ojibwe glossary and note from Cynthia Leitich Smith - founder of Heartdrum, a Native-centered imprint of HarperKids Books / HarperStacks with We Need Diverse Books.