I Am Not a Costume

By Maria DesJarlait

A gorgeously illustrated and important story of a young girl who helps her classmates understand and honor her culture.

I am not a costume.

Five-year-old Ayasha's school is having a costume party, and she is so excited But when Ayasha arrives at school and sees other students wearing fake regalia, she is confused and upset. She doesn't understand why they think her culture is a costume. Ayasha turns to her family and together they come up with a way to teach her classmates about her culture and how to honor her people respectfully: by holding an assembly at the school where members of Ayasha's family and Nation tell stories and explain the history behind their regalia. The assembly ends with a beautiful solo jingle dance by Ayasha.

The perfect classroom book for teaching young readers about empathy, respect, and Indigenous culture.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1778540732
• ISBN13: 9781778540738
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Medicine Wheel Publishing
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 11.1" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 2