There are many books related to Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean that can help students better visualize and understand the people, their history, and their present. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds, where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. Students will create a visual plot summary of the story they have read.
The story used in this example is Taíno Tales: The Secret of the Hummingbird by Vicky Weber. It is a Taíno legend of how the hummingbird came to be. This book is written by an elementary educator who wishes to bring the culture of the Taíno people to life for children.
Here are some examples of literature that relate to the Indigenous People of the Caribbean:
Morning Girl by Michael Dorris (ages 9 - 14) is a story about a Taíno girl named Morning Girl and her brother, Star Boy and their life growing up in a tropical paradise with their people. It isn’t revealed until the end that the setting is the Bahamas in 1492 right before the arrival of Columbus and his men and the Spanish colonizers.
Encounter by Jane Yolen (ages 6-12) is the story of the Taíno people living on the island of San Salvador in 1492, when Columbus and the Spanish colonizers arrived. It is told through the eyes of a young Taíno boy who tried to warn his people about these strange visitors.
The Golden Flower: A Taíno Myth from Puerto Rico by Nina Jaffe (ages 4-9) tells the Taíno legend of how Puerto Rico came to be.
No More Grating Yuka (Taíno Ni Rahu) by Dr. Lynne A. Guitar (ages 10 and up) is about a young Taíno girl named Anani in 1489. This book is the second in a series of 10 books that take place around the time of Columbus’ invasion.
Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490 by Edwidge Danticat (ages 9-14) is a historical fiction story based on the life of one of the Taíno people’s last queens, Queen Anacaona. The story describes her life with the Taíno people and the devastation brought by the Spanish colonizers.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 3-5 cell storyboard describing the main events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Student Instructions
Requirements:
Facilitating class discussions after reading helps students connect with the material, share insights, and build empathy for the experiences of Indigenous Caribbean peoples.
Write 3–5 open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking and personal responses. This helps guide students to explore themes, characters, and historical context more deeply.
Establish ground rules for listening, taking turns, and valuing different perspectives. Model respectful language and encourage students to support their ideas with examples from the text.
Ask a question, let students think quietly, then discuss with a partner before sharing with the class. This lowers pressure and helps all students formulate and share their thoughts.
Invite students to relate story themes or characters’ experiences to their own backgrounds or communities. Personal connections make the content more meaningful and memorable.
Recommended books about Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean for grades 4–8 include Taíno Tales: The Secret of the Hummingbird by Vicky Weber, Morning Girl by Michael Dorris, Encounter by Jane Yolen, The Golden Flower by Nina Jaffe, No More Grating Yuka by Dr. Lynne A. Guitar, and Anacaona: Golden Flower by Edwidge Danticat. These books help students explore Taíno culture, legends, and history.
Use picture books like Taíno Tales: The Secret of the Hummingbird as read-alouds to introduce Taíno legends. After reading, have students create a visual plot summary or storyboard, discussing main events and cultural themes to deepen understanding.
An easy classroom activity is to assign students a 3–5 cell storyboard where they illustrate and describe the beginning, middle, and end of a selected Indigenous Caribbean story. This helps reinforce plot structure and comprehension.
Including Caribbean Indigenous stories helps students appreciate diverse histories and cultures, fosters empathy, and builds understanding of pre-colonial and contemporary Indigenous experiences.
Taíno tales and related literature are suitable for grades 4–6 or ages 9–14, with some picture books appropriate for younger readers. Choose texts based on reading level and classroom needs.