Tools of Native Americans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Culture of the First Americans

Build it Yourself

by Kim Kavin

Named an Honor Book in the Social Studies, Grade K-6 category by theSociety of School Librarians International Focusing on the inventive history of Native Americans—from tools and technology to cultural achievements—this exploration shows how the first Americans, facing varying climates and unconquered lands, found ways to develop food supplies, shelter, religion, games, and jewelry. With fascinating regional histories, including information on the Arctic tribes that fashioned igloos, the Midwest tribes that discovered copper, and the tribes of the Southwest that learned to cultivate maize and beans, children learn the history of the first Americans by understanding how they made use of their region's natural resources.

Genres: History, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

I joined the high school newspaper as a freshman, went on to graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and spent years as a daily newspaper editor before becoming executive editor of Yachting magazine. After more than three years in that job, I left in 2003 to follow my passion and become a full-time freelance writer and editor.

My primary area of expertise is luxury travel by boat, and in 2012, I published my ninth book, "Little Boy Blue: A Puppy's Rescue from Death Row and His Owner's Journey for Truth." It let me combine my journalism experience with my desire to help all dogs live better lives. In May 2016, my second dog book will be released. Its title is "The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores and Rescuers."