The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.

My Heart Fills With Happiness

Children's Books

Gray Smith, Monique

Growing Up & Facts of Life

Orca Book Publishers

This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions. Consultant, international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

You Hold Me Up

Literature & Fiction

Canada's relationship with its Indigenous people has suffered as a result of both the residential school system and the lack of understanding of the historical and current impact of those schools. Healing and repairing that relationship requires education, awareness and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts still being felt by Survivors and their families. Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.

Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation

History

Americas

The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy. Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer this paperback as a dual-language (English and Plains Cree) edition.

My Heart Fills With Happiness / sâkaskinêw nitêh miywêyihtamowin ohci (Cree and English Edition)

This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other's well-being in their every-day actions. Consultant, international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about Reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens. Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer this hardcover picture book as a dual-language (English and Plains Cree) edition.

You Hold Me Up / ê-ohpiniyan (Cree and English Edition)

La luz del sol en la cara. El aroma de bannock caliente horneándose. Agarranr la mano de alguien querido. ¿Qué llena tu corazón de alegría? Este hermoso libro en cartoné, con ilustraciones de la artista de renombre Julie Flett, sirve como recordatorio tanto para pequeños como adultos a pensar en y apreciar los momentos de la vida que nos llenan de alegría. <div> </div> <div>La ponente internacional y premiada autora Monique Gray Smith escribió Mi corazón se llena de alegríapara reforzar el bienestar de niños y familias indígenas y para incentivar que los niños pequeños reflexionen en las cosas que les hacen sentir alegría.</div>

Mi corazón se llena de alegría (Spanish Edition)

Education & Reference

Product Description 
"Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities―and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.”―School Library Journal 
When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves. 
 Review 
“A perfect addition to your bedtime routine, and would make a great gift for every teacher and librarian your child knows, so each school has a copy upon reopening.” ― 
them.\n“Simple statements have the resonance of affirmations and establish a clear chain of connectedness…A panoply of Indigenous characters is featured in rich detail. A visual feast for families interested in seeing the Native world through small, kind deeds.” ― 
Kirkus Reviews\n“An accessible picture book that will work well as a read-aloud in a group or for quiet reading alone. Whether at home or in the classroom, its pleasing repetition of phrases. such as 'I am kind when' and 'I feel', will appeal to young readers and invite re-reading. Highly Recommended.” ― 
CM: Canadian Review of Materials\n“Gentle…Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities―and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.” ― 
Publishers Weekly\n★ “Simple, yet powerful...This gentle book is inspiring for children and adults and is highly recommended to have at home and in public and school libraries.” ― 
Canadian Children's Book News, Red Leaf Literature selection\n“Visually appealing at every turn and offering up details in clothing and surroundings, there is much to see here. The words inspire questions and memories about being kind in the world, and with family and friends.” ― 
Sal's Fiction Addiction\n“Using minimal text, the message of kindness is delivered in illustrations that are beautiful, colorful and detailed. This title is highly recommended for use in preschool and primary or elementary classrooms and libraries.” ― 
Must Read Literature\n“Lovely…A gentle message that shows how kindness connects us and reinforces our deep relations.” ― 
Toronto Star\n“Thoughtful and beautifully illustrated.” ― 
Canadian Teacher Magazine 
 Book Description 
What makes you feel kind? 
 About the Author 
International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota and Scottish ancestry. She wrote When We Are Kind to prompt a dialog among young people, their care providers and educators about kindness and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. Monique's picture book My Heart Fills With Happiness won the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize and was selected as the TD Grade One Giveaway Book for all first-grade students in Canada in 2019. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her family.\nNicole Neidhardt is Diné (Navajo) of the Kiiyaa'áanii Clan and is from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has a BFA from the University of Victoria and and an MFA at OCAD University in Toronto. Nicole’s Diné identity is the heart of her practice, which encompasses illustration, installation, murals and Indigenous Futurisms.

When We Are Kind

Qu’est-ce qui te remplit le cœur de bonheur ? Le soleil sur ton visage ? L’odeur de la banique qui cuit au four ? Tenir la main d’une personne que tu aimes ? Ce magnifique album cartonné, illustré par la talentueuse artiste Julie Flett, rappelle aux petits et aux grands de penser aux moments de la vie qui leur apportent de la joie et d’en profiter. 
La conférencière et autrice de réputation internationale Monique Gray Smith a écrit J’ai le cœur rempli de bonheur pour soutenir le bien-être des enfants et des familles autochtones, et pour encourager les bambins à chérir les moments qui les rendent heureux.\nBook Description\nQu’est-ce qui te remplit le cœur de bonheur ?

J'ai le cœur rempli de bonheur (French Edition)

Les éditions Orca

Review\n“Charming in its simplicity, this is a great reminder of what can be found every day in our lives.” ― School Library Journal\n★ "A quiet loveliness, sense of gratitude, and―yes―happiness emanate from this tender celebration of simple pleasures." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review 
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. 
International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy. 
Orca Book Publishers is proud to offer this picture book as a dual-language (English and Anishinaabemowin) edition.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-K—The concept of happiness is explored in both English and Anishinaabemowin. The phrase "My heart fills with happiness" begins the book and is repeated a few times throughout. Most of the text is a single sentence about an activity that brings joy. Bold, richly colored illustrations in a folk style fill one page, while one or two small drawings of an item from the picture are on the text page. "I drum" shows a child sitting on a man's lap as they both tap drumsticks on the top of a drum, with a small drumstick drawn beneath the text. A variety of Indigenous children and families are shown enjoying their daily lives and activities. The book ends with a child viewing a reflection in a mirror and the question, "What brings you happiness?" providing an opportunity for further discussion. VERDICT Charming in its simplicity, this is a great reminder of what can be found every day in our lives.—Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Lib., WA\nBook Description\nWhat fills your heart with happiness?

My Heart Fills With Happiness / Nijiikendam (English and Ojibwa Edition)

Review\n“Comforting, encouraging sentiments that adult readers and their little ones will appreciate.” ― Kirkus Reviews\n“Grimard’s artwork along with Gray Smith’s messages of hope create a synergy and context…Together they successfully teach intangible moments.” ― CM: Canadian Review of Materials\n“The ingredients for happiness…A good platform to discuss children’s hopes, which is useful in both group and one-on-one settings.” ― Booklist\n“Walks the line of cultural specificity and broad relatability, offering readers multiple ways to connect to the narrative…[An] excellent option for parents looking for something to read with their young children.” ― Quill & Quire\nPoignant words from award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith about all the hopes adults have for the young people in their lives. 
The hopes we have for the children in our lives are endless. We want our young people to thrive and experience all that life has to offer, but we also feel protective of them. Using simple but powerful statements, Monique Gray Smith delivers a touching message about loving, nurturing and wishing the best for our children. Paired with Gabrielle Grimard's warm and enchanting illustrations, the message in I Hope will resonate with all parents, grandparents and caregivers.\nPraise for Monique Gray Smith: 
★“Joyful and tender...celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections.”―School Library Journal, starred review for My Heart Fills With Happiness﻿ 
“Smith's text is heartwarming!”―Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature for You Hold Me Up 
“Gentle…Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities―and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.”―Publisher's Weekly for When We Are Kind 
★“Smith tackles difficult and complex conversations with straightforwardness and compassion.”―School Library Journal, starred review for Speaking Our Truth\nBook Description\nMy world is full of hope for you.

I Hope

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