Carole

Lindstrom

New York Times Bestselling Author

Award Winning Children’s Author

Travels from: Maryland

“Observation is not enough, the book communicates: action is necessary… A passionate call for environmental stewardship.” —starred review, Publishers Weekly

Carole Lindstorm is Anishinabe/Metis and is tribally enrolled with the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. She was born and raised in Nebraska and currently makes her home in Maryland.

Carole has been a voracious reader and library geek ever since she was growing up in Nebraska. On weekends you could usually find her at the library lost in the book stacks or holed up in her bedroom with a good book. It wasn’t until she had her son that she discovered her love of writing for children and began to work seriously on her writing. She decided to write children’s books that more accurately show the world that she wanted to see as a child.

Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle is Carole’s debut picture book, which was inspired by the fiddle and its importance to the Metis culture. Her grandfather was a fiddler and could play a mean jig.

Carole’s book We Are Water Protectors was the winner of 2021 Caldecott Medal and a New York Times Bestseller. It was inspired by Standing Rock and all the Indigenous peoples’ fight for clean water.

Carole's Featured Titles

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior

Roaring Brook Press |

September 19, 2023

Children’s

From New York Times bestselling picture book author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring picture book biography about indigenous water warriors Autumn Peltier and Josephine Mandamin.

The seventh generation is creating
A sea of change.

It was a soft voice, at first.
Like a ripple.
But with practice it grew louder.

As the environmental crisis becomes more dire, young activists are raising their voices to bring awareness to policymakers on a global scale. In their ranks is water activist Autumn Peltier, who became the youngest Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation in 2019 at the age of 14. Before her, that title was held by her great aunt Josephine Mandamin. Josephine walked over 15,000 miles in her lifetime to advocate for the importance of clean water.

Always acting with the next seven generations in mind, the Anishinaabe have long fostered a culture of educating and caring for the welfare of our future generations.

Bestseller, BIPOC Representation, Environmental Concerns, Kid Lit: Middle Grade, Kid Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Native American & Indigenous Heritage

My Powerful Hair

Abrams Books for Young Readers |

March 21, 2023

Children’s

From the award-winning and bestselling author of We Are Water Protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity

Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.

Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.

Bestseller, BIPOC Representation, Kid Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Native American & Indigenous Heritage

We Are Water Protectors

Roaring Brook Press |

March 17, 2020

Children’s

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption—a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.

Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all . . .

When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.

Bestseller, BIPOC Representation, Environmental Concerns, Native American & Indigenous Heritage

Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle

Pemmican Publications |

August 24, 2015

Children’s

What incredible pluck Why does young Metisse insist on playing her fiddle for Grandmother’s birthday when everyone knows girls are supposed to dance and leave the fiddling to the boys? It could be because Metisse feels the rhythm of tradition in more than one way.

This charming and witty debut story from Carole Lindstrom is warmed by tender illustration from Kimberly McKay.

Bestseller, BIPOC Representation, Kid Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Native American & Indigenous Heritage

Coming Soon!

Carole Lindstrom, “We are Water Protectors“

“The narrative’s powerful ending brings this story to a satisfying, hopeful conclusion. Debut illustrator Littlebird (a member of Oregon’s Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) captures the closeness of the family and the strength and determination of the protagonist in bright colors set against woodgrain-like backgrounds.” —The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

“A thoughtful and enlightening addition to the picture book shelves and a worthy choice for units on Indigenous cultures.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“This is an emotionally searing story infused with important historical and cultural information on the significance of hair to Indigenous cultures.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A deeply moving and inspiring celebration of long hair and its significance in Indigenous cultures.” —Kirkus, Starred Review

“Powerful….Goade’s illustrations combine a mystical mood with the lovely fierceness of a child seeking justice.” —The New York Times

“This book will both educate and inspire youth.” —School Library Journal

“In this tribute to Native resilience, Indigenous author-and-illustrator team Lindstrom and Goade invite readers to stand up for environmental justice. An inspiring call to action for all who care about our interconnected planet.”—starred review, Kirkus Reviews

“Goade’s watercolor illustrations fill the spreads with streaming ribbons of water, cosmic backdrops, and lush natural landscapes…. Lindstrom’s spare, poetic text flows with the “river’s rhythm.” Written in response to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, famously protested by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe—and others—these pages carry grief, but it is overshadowed by hope in what is an unapologetic call to action.” —starred review, Booklist

“Observation is not enough, the book communicates: action is necessary… A passionate call for environmental stewardship.” —starred review, Publishers Weekly

“A gorgeous and empowering picture book with an urgent environmental plea.” —starred review, BookPage

“Flowing words by Carole Lindstrom and lush art by Michaela Goade appear in immaculate synchronicity on every page of We Are Water Protectors.”—Shelf Awareness

“This book celebrates indigenous-led movements to protect our planet’s water. With gorgeous illustrations, it gives readers a sense of our connectivity.” —Romper.com

Honors, Awards & Recognition

2021 Caldecott Medal Winner
New York Times Bestseller
2020 Charlotte Huck Honor Award
2020 Kirkus Prize Finalist
2020 Washington Post Best of the Year
2020 Chicago Public Library
2020 Shelf Awareness
2020 Evanston Public Library
2020 School Library Journal
2020 Kirkus Reviews
2020 Publishers Weekly
2020 New York Public Library
2020 Jane Addams Peace Prize
NPR Best Books of 2020
Book Riot Best Children’s Books of 2020