“Captivating…This book comes highly recommended for its heartwarming portrayal of intergenerational relationships and cultural heritage.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

Kim Rogers writes books, short stories, and poems for young readers. She is the author of award winning, Just Like Grandma, illustrated by Julie Flett; A Letter for Bob, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson; and I Am Osage: How Clarence Tinker became the First Native American Major General, illustrated by Bobby Von Martin comes out in winter of 2024, all with HarperCollins/Heartdrum. She is a contributor to Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids (HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 2021). The cover, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt, was inspired by Jessie, the protagonist in her short story, “Flying Together.” Her poem, “What is a Powwow” is also included. Kim is an enrolled member of Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and is a member of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. Much of her current writing highlights her Wichita heritage. She lives with her family on her tribe’s ancestral homelands in Oklahoma.

Kim's Featured Titles

I Am Osage: How Clarence Tinker Became the First Native American Major General

Heartdrum |
Children’s Historical Biographies

This informative and inspiring picture book by acclaimed author Kim Rogers (Wichita), with striking artwork by debut illustrator Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw), celebrates the achievements of Clarence Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation who became the first Native American major general.

Clarence Tinker always knew that he wanted to do something extraordinary. Something adventurous. Something that made a difference in the world.

But as a member of the Osage Nation at the turn of the twentieth century, there were a lot of obstacles that he had to face to achieve his dreams. When he was a child, Clarence was taken away from his family and community. He was forced to attend a prisonlike boarding school, like many other Native children of his generation. There, he wasn’t able to speak his language or practice his Osage customs.

Still, Clarence kept his dream close to his heart and joined the US Army with the goal of becoming an officer. Though he was treading an unfamiliar path, he worked hard and never forgot his Osage values and traditions that, ultimately, paved his way to success.

I Am Osage, the first nonfiction project from the Heartdrum imprint, combines gorgeous, vibrant artwork with a stirring text that celebrates an unsung hero while also shedding light on significant American history.

A Letter for Bob

Heartdrum |
Children’s

With humor and heart, and brought to life by Jonathan Nelson’s warm, distinctive artwork, Kim Rogers’s A Letter for Bob celebrates the treasured cars that carry us through our most meaningful childhood moments.

Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie’s family.

Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway family. Bob has been there in sad and scary times and for some of the family’s most treasured memories.

But after many miles, it’s time for the family to say goodbye to Bob…

This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car—and all the stories and love carried along for the ride—will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car!

Kim Rogers is the author of Just Like Grandmaillustrated by Julie Flett, which received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, which called it “a joyous, uplifting celebration of culture and family.”

Just Like Grandma

Heartdrum |
Children’s

Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, “Let me try,” Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful.

Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma.

And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma.

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JUST LIKE GRANDMA

This is a talk about family, how to write a poem, and the importance of role models.

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A LETTER FOR BOB

This is a talk about family, and the grief that comes from saying goodbye to something that you love.

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I AM OSAGE

This is a talk about being a part of a military family and how to honor military heroes and other heroes.

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Kim's Writing Journey

Kim talks about her writing journey and how it started when she was in the first grade. This can be a talk offered for kids or adults.

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Reading and Q & A

Kim will read one of her books and answer questions from librarians, teachers, and students. This can for kids or adults.

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How to survive publishing from beginning author to published author and beyond

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The importance of Native Children’s Literature

Kim’s Events Link

Honors, Awards & Recognition

A LETTER FOR BOB

American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Winner 2024
Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended List 2024
CCBC Choices 2024
2023 Teaching for Change: Social Justice Books Selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2023 About Families
Kirkus Reviews Notable Fall Releases
Kirkus Reviews Podcast Editors’ Picks
American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best Books of 2023
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) Best Multicultural Children’s Books of 2023

JUST LIKE GRANDMA

Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner 2024
Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor Writer 2024
Reading the West Award Longlist
CCBC Choices 2024
2023 Teaching for Change: Social Justice Books Selection
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2023
Chicago Public Library Best Board & Picture Books of 2023
Booklist Editors’ Choice for Youth 2023
American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best Books of 2023

ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS

Toronto Public Library 2023: Read Indigenous: Books for Children
2023 Teaching for Change: Social Justice Books Selection
ALA Notable Children’s Books – 2022
Little Free Library Indigenous Read in Color Recommended Reads
We Are Kid Lit Collective 2022 Summer Reading List
Reading the West Book Award (Young Readers)
SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist (Texas/Oklahoma Region)
Nominee, Ages 4-7: Favorite Book Cover, Kids’ Choice Book Awards
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year – 2022 (Outstanding Merit, Read-Aloud)
2022-2023 Massachusetts Children’s Book Award List
New York State Charlotte Award Nominee
Michigan Great Lakes, Great Books Award Nominee (Grades 4-5)
New York Public Library Vibrant Voices (Top Ten Selection)
Longlist, Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Reading the West Award
2022 Reading Across Rhode Island Companion Read
CCBC Choices 2022
Wisconsin State Reading Association: Just One More Page! List
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2022 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society
2021 Nerdies: Middle Grade Books
Library of Michigan 2022 Michigan Notable Books
Politics and Prose Children & Teens Favorites of 2021
Children’s Plus, Inc. (CPI) Favorite Titles of 2021
Madison Reading Project Selection
SLJ’s A Fuse #8 Production 2021 Middle Grade
Book Riot Best Children’s Books of 2021
Book Riot Holiday Buying Guide
Kirkus Reviews Best Middle-Grade Anthologies of 2021
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2021
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2021
Shelf Awareness Best Children’s-YA Books of 2021.
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of 2021: Holiday Gift Edition
Libro.fm Bookseller Picks, Audiobooks by Indigenous Authors
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2021: Fiction
School Library Journal’s 22 Titles for Native American Heritage Month
Indigo Books Best Kids Books of the Year (Ages 9-12)
Kids Indie Next List Pick
NEA’s Read Across America November 2021 MG Selection
Featured Title, Texas Book Festival
Horn Book Summer 2021 Middle School Selection
New York Public Library Summer 2021 Books for Kids Selection
VA Reads Middle Grade Selection for the 2021-2022 School Year
CCBC Book of the Week (March 2021)
CBC Hot Off the Press Pick for February
BookPeople Amplify Jr. Book of the Month for February
Amazon.com Editors’ Picks: Best Books Ages 9 – 12
Amazon.com #1 New Release in Children’s Short Story Collections
#2 Children’s Bestseller, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma’s largest daily newspaper)
Featured Title, Tucson Festival of Books
Well-Read Native Youth Book of the Week
Dignity and Justice for All: Stories of Protest, Resistance, and Change: An Annotated Bibliography of New and Noteworthy Books for Young Readers, Published 2018 – 2021 from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

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