The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way (A Picture Book)

S. D. Nelson

Mar 2026 · Abrams

Ebook

Pages

Eligible

Switch to the audiobook

About this ebook

Award-winning Lakota author-artist S. D. Nelson shows what wisdom can be learned from animals in this universal, strikingly illustrated picture book about connecting with the natural world.

Lakota translation by Dakota Goodhouse

From our animal brothers and sisters, young readers can learn the Lakota Way, an ancient principle that transmits the virtues and values we should all strive to include in our own lives. If we watch and listen to their teachings, they will prepare us as we make our way through the joys and challenges of our mysterious, wondrous world.

Award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson conveys the concept of the Lakota Way through energetic illustrations and a simple text that names each animal in both English and Lakota, helping children to embrace these Indigenous principles in their daily lives.

Mother Bear watches over her cubs, guiding us to walk with strength and protect those who need protecting.
Otter, the playful swimmer, reminds us that games and laughter are good for our hearts.
And as Tadpole transforms into Frog, he demonstrates we’ll make changes in our lives too.

Award-winning Lakota author-artist S. D. Nelson shows what wisdom can be learned from animals in this universal, strikingly illustrated picture book about connecting with the natural world. Lakota translation by Dakota Goodhouse From our animal brothers and sisters, young readers can learn the La...

Discover more

About the author

S. D. Nelson, Maȟpíya Kiny’An (Flying Cloud), is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas and the author and illustrator of inspiring children’s books that celebrate Lakota and Indigenous cultures. Awards include an American Indian Library Association Honor Book, an ALA Robert F. Sibert Honor, and two Spur Awards from Western Writers of America. His original paintings are held in many national collections, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, South Dakota State Historical Society, the Crazy Horse Memorial and State Historical Society of North Dakota. He lives in Cottonwood, Arizona.

S. D. Nelson, Maȟpíya Kiny’An (Flying Cloud), is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas and the author and illustrator of inspiring children’s books that celebrate Lakota and Indigenous cultures. Awards include an American Indian Library Association Honor Book, an ALA Robert F. ...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Flag as inappropriate