Circle of Love
Everyone is welcome in the circle.
In this warmhearted book, we join Molly at the Intertribal Community Center, where she introduces us to people she knows and loves: her grandmother and her grandmother’s wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins, and her treasured friends.
They dance, sing, garden, learn, pray, and eat together. And tonight, they come together for a feast! Molly shares with the reader how each person makes her feel—and reminds us that love is love.
Through tender prose and radiant artwork, author Monique Gray Smith (Cree/Lakota) and illustrator Nicole Neidhardt (Diné) show how there is always room for others in our lives. Circle of Love is a story celebrating family, friends, community, and, most of all, love.
I Hope
Poignant 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.
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Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Shining Willow | 2023 | Nominated
Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites Award Kindergarten - 2nd Grade | 2023 | Commended
Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom | 2022 | Commended
BC Books for Schools | 2022 | Commended
Indigenous Books for Schools | 2022 | Commended
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“The ingredients for happiness…A good platform to discuss children’s hopes, which is useful in both group and one-on-one settings.”
– Booklist
“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
“Simple but compelling...The poignant message in I Hope will resonate with parents, grandparents and caregivers as they seek all good things for the children within their realm.”
– Canadian Children's Book News
“A hopeful read for audiences young and old finding themselves and their place in the world and leaving a positive impact while living whole-heartedly and joyfully.”
– Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)
When We Are Kind
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 she communicates an important message here for readers of all ages through her carefully chosen words. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.
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Quill & Quire Best Books of the Year | 2020 | Commended
Children’s Book Council & National Council for Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People | 2021 | Commended
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | 2021 | Commended
Chocolate Lily Book Awards - Picture Books | 2022 | Short-listed
Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Shining Willow | 2021 | Nominated
First Nation Communities Read Awards (FNCR) - Children’s | 2021 | Short-listed
Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award | 2022 | Nominated
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“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
“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
“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
“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
“Lovely…A gentle message that shows how kindness connects us and reinforces our deep relations.”
– Toronto Star