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Children's Fiction Emotions & Feelings

My Heart Fills With Happiness / sâkaskinêw nitêh miywêyihtamowin ohci

by (author) Monique Gray Smith

illustrated by Julie Flett

translated by Mary Cardinal Collins

edited by Cree Literacy Network

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Apr 2021
Category
Emotions & Feelings, Native Canadian, General
Recommended Age
3 to 5
Recommended Grade
p to k
Recommended Reading age
3 to 5
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459820203
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $4.99
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781459831872
    Publish Date
    Apr 2021
    List Price
    $19.95
  • Downloadable audio file

    ISBN
    9781459831186
    Publish Date
    Apr 2021
    List Price
    $9.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

★ "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 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.

Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer this bilingual book (full text in both English and Plains Cree) in two accessible editions. The audiobook features alternate text descriptions of images, including the cover. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

About the authors

Monique Gray Smith is a mixed–heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish ancestry and a proud mom of twins. Monique is an accomplished consultant, writer and international speaker. Her first novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience, won the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Monique and her family are blessed to live on Lkwungen territory in Victoria, British Columbia. 

Monique Gray Smith's profile page

Julie Flett is an award-winning Cree-Metis author, illustrator and artist. She has received many awards, including the 2016 American Indian Library Association Award for Best Picture Book for Little You, written by Richard Van Camp (Orca Books), and the Canadian Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Award in 2015 for Dolphins SOS, written by Roy Miki (Tradewind Books) and in 2017 for My Heart Fills with Happiness, written by Monique Gray Smith (Orca Books), and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature for her book Owls See Clearly at Night (Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer): A Michif Alphabet (L’alphabet di Michif). Her own Wild Berries (Simply Read Books) was chosen as Canada’s First Nation Communities Read title selection for 2014-2015.

www.julieflett.com

 

Julie Flett's profile page

Mary Cardinal Collins is a semi-retired teacher, fluent Cree speaker and translator.

 

Mary Cardinal Collins' profile page

The Cree Literacy Network was created in 2010 to promote Cree language and cultural literacy, in oral form and through literacy materials. Through the essential tool of standard spelling, the Cree Literacy Network supports the fundamental right of Cree speakers to understand and be understood.

 

Cree Literacy Network's profile page

Awards

  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
  • Short-listed, Periodical Marketers of Canada (PMC) Indigenous Literature Award - Children's Category
  • Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
  • Commended, Girls of Summer Reading List - Picture Books
  • Winner, BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize

Editorial Reviews

"A comforting board book offers young children the opportunity for reflection, and for affirmation, too. Moments of happiness tucked into each and every day celebrated here include time with family, self-expression, and the natural world."

Cooperative Children's Book Centre

"An excellent board book for every baby Canadian."

The Toronto Star

"A celebration of aboriginal culture...but also universal in its message: sometimes it's the simplest things that lift our spirits highest...[The book] is beautiful in both its appearance and its intention."

Quill & Quire

★ "A quiet loveliness, sense of gratitude, and—yes—happiness emanate from this tender celebration of simple pleasures, which features a cast of First Nations children and adults...Short, first-person phrases...revel in both solitary and familial activities...Flett's (Little You) crisp-edged paintings blend universal and culturally specific experiences."

Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Joyful and tender, this board book celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections...Flett's quietly powerful gouache and digital collage illustrations emphasize the relationships between people...The sweet family story has universal appeal. A first purchase for all libraries."

School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

"[A] light, warm and utterly charming book...Highly recommended for families, parents of young children to share with them and to begin conversation and sharing about emotions."

Resource Links

"It is a fantastic toddler book that celebrates family and heritage and would be valuable in any collection, especially those of First Nations heritage."

Raising Mom

"A board book that leaves you feeling cheerful and appreciative of those small moments in life that bring one joy. Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Specific visuals ground this sweet celebration of simple pleasures."

Kirkus Reviews

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