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More About Steph Littlebird (She/Her)
Languages: English
Steph Littlebird is an Indigenous artist-author from the Pacific Northwest. Much of her work revolves around representing contemporary Native culture and important historical events. Littlebird's first illustrated children's book MY POWERFUL HAIR (2023) was awarded the national Carter G. Woodson Social Studies Award (2024). Her author debut YOU ARE THE LAND published by Penguin Random House, releases in February 2026.
You can find Steph online at:
Exploring Indigenous Art and Children's Literature with Steph Littlebird
Indigenous Portland artist talks award-winning book ‘My Powerful Hair’
Steph’s strengths include…
Authenticity
Cultural Sensitivity
Political Activism
Research
Historical Representation
What Steph is looking for…
Steph is looking for a mentee that is interdisciplinary, self-motivated and driven to learn more about the picture book making process.
She would love to work with Indigenous or marginalized creatives who need support sharing culturally-driven stories. She is interested in supporting creatives who are working on manuscripts and illustrations/dummies.
A Note from Steph:
“Bring yourself to the story, infuse everything you create with authenticity and you will always make work that you can be proud of. I am a big supporter of interdisciplinary artists and those who have the courage to break the rules!”
Steph’s Picture Books
My Powerful Hair, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Steph Littlebird
Fierce Aunties!, written by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Steph Littlebird
BODY BEAUTIFUL, written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Steph Littlebird
FREE TO FLY, written by Karina Iceberg and illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Coming Summer 2026)
YOU ARE THE LAND by Steph Littlebird (Coming February 2026)
If Steph created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade
Why We Dance, written by Deirdre Havelock and illustrated by Aly Mcknight
Fish Fry Friday, written by Winsome Bingham and illustrated by C.G. Esperanza
Moon Song by Michaela Goode
Its Her Story: Sacajawea, written by Randyl Teton and illustrated by Aly Mcknight
The Walk, written by Winsome Bingham and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Steph is a good fit for:
Culturally-specific storytellers
Highly creative projects
Social Justice
Illustrators working in Procreate
LGBTQIA stories
Non-traditional writers/artists
Poetry
Steph is not a good fit for:
🚫 Please do NOT send medical / death-related content or stories dealing with Christianity or religion.
Who can apply to Steph?
Unagented Illustrators or Author/Illustrators.
⚠️Steph is open to everyone, but she especially encourages Indigenous creators to apply.