About Laurel

Award-winning author Laurel Goodluck writes picture books with modern universal themes and everyday life, showing Native children and all children that their cultural perspective is unique and powerful. Laurel comes from an intertribal background. She is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and an Alaska Native Citizen of the Tsimshian Tribe.

Laurel’s debut picture book, Forever Cousins, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Charlesbridge), was named best picture book by the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award. It was also a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and was hailed by Dr. Debbie Reese on the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog as “one of the best books I’ve read.” The 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor titles included the celebratory Rock Your Mocs, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, followed by Harper/Heartdrum, along with Deb Haaland, a nonfiction chapter book entry in the She Persisted series (PRH/Philomel). Additionally, She Persisted: Deb Haaland was selected in 2025 to represent NM at the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Too Much, My Great Big Native Family, a humorous and heartwarming story, was released in 2024. It is illustrated by Full Circle Literary client Bridget George (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers). In 2025, SSBFYR released the anthemic Fierce Aunties!, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, and Heartdrum released the humorous yet moving Yáaadilá!: Good Grief!, illustrated by Full Circle Literary client Jonathan Nelson. And, slated for 2026 is Stories Are the Heart of the World, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers).

Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, then moved away to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to pursue her BA in Psychology and an MA in Community Counseling and Family Studies from the University of New Mexico. She began writing by crafting curriculum for community advocacy involving Native teen leadership and later for children newly diagnosed with mental health challenges. In Albuquerque, with her Diné (Navajo) husband, they raised two children who are also passionate about storytelling, pursuing careers in journalism and acting.

Laurel received a 2019 mentorship with We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) Picture Book Mentorship and, in 2024, mentored a writer from New Mexico. She also received a competitive funding grant from New Mexico Writers to support new works in progress. She is an active member of the New Mexico SCBWI regional chapter and has volunteered as the Equity and Inclusion Lead.