The Department of Education has released three new books for young readers.

Published by the department as part of the NorthWind Book series, the books will be received by Yukon elementary schools during Education Week, which will end tomorrow.

Fishing at Simpson Creek, Finding a Medicine Tree and Ice Fishing Fun are the latest titles in the series, which is being developed for children in Grade 1 or early Grade 2.

The books will be used as part of a guided reading program and contain an important cultural component, as each one features a story that reflects the lives of Yukon First Nation school children.

"This project is part of the department's work to make the curriculum relevant and meaningful to first nation students," Education Minister Patrick Rouble said Wednesday.

The books have been developed collaboratively by the NorthWind Books Working Group. That's made up of classroom teachers and an elder, under the direction of Education's First Nations Programs and Partnership Unit with support from public schools branch.

The books are validated as culturally appropriate and accurate, and over time will be translated into Yukon first nation languages. Some are already being translated into French.

"I think it's great that we as Yukoners are developing our own resources and moving ahead with curriculum development," said Peter Johnston, the co-chair of the Yukon first nation education advisory committee.

Education began work on the series in the 2006-07 school year, and the first four titles were released to schools last fall.

Each of the books focus on an activity in a Yukon school or a Yukon community. They feature stories and photographs of Yukon students, elders and community members and are unique as they illustrate real life events of students.

"This is something the kids can be quite proud of, and they will be recognized in the whole school," said Denis Ryan, the principal of Johnson Elementary School in Watson Lake.

"These kids will be identified as positive role models for their fellow students."

On May 15, Johnson Elementary will have an assembly to recognize the students and community members involved in this project. Special school events are also planned in Haines Junction.

Schools involved in this series so far include Johnson Elementary, J.V. Clark School (Mayo), St. Elias School (Haines Junction), Chief Zzeh Gittlit

School (Old Crow), Ross River School (Ross River) and Elijah Smith Elementary (Whitehorse).