Children’s Books by Dr. Jackie Cope

Storytelling has always been one of the ways our communities pass down knowledge, humor, and imagination. Children’s books are not just entertainment. They shape how young people see themselves and the world around them.

My children’s books are inspired by life on and around Native communities, the dreams and personalities of animals, and the curiosity children have when they are trying to understand the world. They are written to feel playful, imaginative, and meaningful at the same time.

The goal is simple. I want Native children to see themselves in stories. I also want non Native readers to experience joyful, contemporary Indigenous life through storytelling.

Chief the Rez Cat

Written and Illustrated by Rev. Dr. Jackie Cope

Chief the Rez Cat is a curious cat with a big personality and an even bigger imagination. Living on the reservation, Chief spends his days observing the world around him, listening to conversations, and wondering what important things are happening in his community.

In this story, Chief hears a strange commotion and decides it is his responsibility to investigate. With all the confidence of a self appointed leader, he sets off to discover what is going on. Along the way, his imagination turns ordinary moments into grand adventures.

Chief believes he might be destined for something important. Maybe even becoming the honorable “Councilcat” of the people.

Through humor, curiosity, and a little mischief, Chief learns that community, observation, and listening are part of what makes a good leader.

This story invites children into a playful world where animals notice the rhythms of reservation life and interpret them in their own funny and heartfelt ways.

Why I Wrote This Story

Chief is actually a real cat.

He lived on the Pechanga Reservation and came into my life unexpectedly. From the beginning, he had a personality that felt larger than life. Anyone who has ever lived with a cat knows they carry themselves like they are observing everything.

When I started imagining Chief’s inner world, it felt like I could hear the dreams he would tell if he could speak.

The stories came from those imagined conversations.

In my mind, Chief believes he is an important figure in the community. He watches gatherings, hears laughter, notices movement, and turns it all into stories about leadership, responsibility, and adventure.

Writing these books felt like listening to the dreams of a cat who believes he has a very important job.

Why Contemporary Indigenous Stories Matter

For a long time, Indigenous people were mostly written about rather than writing our own stories.

Many children’s books about Native people focus on the past. They often show Indigenous life as something that only existed long ago.

But Native communities are alive today. Our children are growing up now. Our humor, imagination, families, and everyday life deserve to be reflected in stories.

Contemporary Indigenous authors are helping create a new generation of books where Native children can see themselves clearly and proudly. These stories show that Native life is not only history. It is present, evolving, and full of creativity.

Chief the Rez Cat is part of that movement. It is a joyful, modern story that centers reservation life through imagination and humor.

Read the Adventure

Chief has many stories to tell, and this is just the beginning.

You can find Chief the Rez Cat on Amazon.

Just Indian

Written by Dr. Jackie Cope
Illustrated by Tyrelle Smith

Just Indian is a story about identity, belonging, and the quiet strength that comes from understanding who you are.

The story follows a Native child navigating the complicated feelings that can arise when culture, community, and outside perceptions collide. Like many Indigenous children, the main character begins to question what it means to be Native in a world that often misunderstands Indigenous identity.

Through reflection, connection to family, and cultural pride, the character begins to understand something powerful.

Being “just Indian” is not something small.

It is something strong, meaningful, and deeply rooted.

The story gently guides young readers toward the understanding that identity is something to honor, not something to shrink or hide.

This book has resonated with educators, families, and young readers because it addresses a feeling many Indigenous children have experienced while offering a message of pride and self acceptance.

Just Indian received national recognition including:

• First Place – Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
• Bronze Medal – Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards (Mind, Body, Spirit / Self-Esteem category)

Why I Wrote This Story

This story first came to me in a dream.

At the time, it felt like a simple story idea. Something meaningful, but mysterious in where it came from.

Years later, my mother was rereading my book and realized something. 

She told me something that changed everything.

The story I had dreamed was incredibly similar to a story my great grandfather, Jackson, used to tell her.

I had never heard the story before.

But somehow it still came through.

That moment made the book feel like more than a children’s story. It felt like something carried forward across generations.

In many Indigenous traditions, dreams are not random. They are messages, memories, and sometimes teachings that find their way back to us.

Writing Just Indian felt like listening.

Why Contemporary Indigenous Books Matter

For generations, Indigenous people were often portrayed in books written by outsiders.

Many of those stories placed Native people only in the past.

But Indigenous communities are not relics of history.

We are living cultures. Our children deserve to see themselves reflected in books that show Native life as it exists today.

Contemporary Indigenous authors are helping reshape children’s literature by telling stories from lived experience, community memory, and cultural pride.

Books like Just Indian help young readers understand that identity is not something defined by stereotypes or history books.

Identity is lived, evolving, and deeply personal.

When Native children see themselves in stories, it changes how they see their place in the world.

Looking Ahead

Just Indian was originally published through a small independent publisher. The rights have now returned to me, and the book will soon be republished through Amazon KDP so it can reach even more readers.

For those who love supporting authors directly, I also have a limited number of copies available.

Read the Story

You can learn more about Just Indian and find ways to read the book below.

Coming Soon