Award-winning author Laurel Goodluck writes picture books with modern universal themes and everyday life, showing Native children and all children that their cultural perspective is unique and powerful. Laurel comes from an intertribal background. She is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation in North Dakota and an Alaska Native Citizen of the Tsimshian Tribe.
Laurel’s debut picture book, Forever Cousins, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Charlesbridge), was named best picture book by the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award. It was also a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and was hailed by Dr. Debbie Reese on the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog as “one of the best books I’ve read.” The 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor titles included the celebratory Rock Your Mocs, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, followed by Harper/Heartdrum, along with Deb Haaland, a nonfiction chapter book entry in the She Persisted series (PRH/Philomel). Additionally, She Persisted: Deb Haaland was selected in 2025 to represent NM at the Library of Congress National Book Festival.
Too Much, My Great Big Native Family, a humorous and heartwarming story, was released in 2024. It is illustrated by Full Circle Literary client Bridget George (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers). In 2025, SSBFYR will release the anthemic Fierce Aunties!, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, and Heartdrum will released the anthemic Fierce Aunties!, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, and Heartdrum released the humorous yet moving Yáaadilá!: Good Grief!, illustrated by Full Circle Literary client Jonathan Nelson. And, slated for 2026 is Stories Are the Heart of the World, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), with more to be announced.