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Non-classifiable

You Hold Me Up / ê-ohpiniyan

by (author) Monique Gray Smith

illustrated by Danielle Daniel

translated by Mary Cardinal Collins

edited by Cree Literacy Network

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Sep 2018
Category
NON-CLASSIFIABLE, Emotions & Feelings, Friendship
Recommended Age
3 to 5
Recommended Grade
p to k
Recommended Reading age
3 to 5
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781459821750
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $19.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459821774
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $16.99
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459821767
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $9.99
  • Downloadable audio file

    ISBN
    9781459831193
    Publish Date
    Apr 2021
    List Price
    $6.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Encourage 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 others. With vibrant illustrations from celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, 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 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

 

Danielle Daniel est une artiste métisse multidisciplinaire. Elle a écrit Parfois je suis un renard pour encourager son jeune fils à découvrir ses racines autochtones. Enseignante pendant de nombreuses années, Danielle travaille maintenant comme professeur d'art à temps partiel au Canada et aux États-Unis. Elle habite dans le nord de l'Ontario.

 

Danielle Daniel is an author and artist whose first picture book, Parfois je suis un renard, won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was shortlisted for the First Nation Communities Read Award for aboriginal literature. A former elementary school teacher, Danielle is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing through the University of British Columbia. Danielle lives in Sudbury, Ontario.

 

Danielle Daniel'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, TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Reads
  • Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
  • Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
  • Commended, Quill & Quire's Best Books of the Year
  • Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books
  • Commended, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) Best Books

Editorial Reviews

"You Hold Me Up is a gentle but effective way to introduce the topic of Reconciliation to students of all ages."

ETFO Voice: Magazine of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

“A lovely meditation on compassion and respect...A strong sense of community runs through the poetic text and is warmly depicted in Daniel’s stunning watercolour paintings.”

49th Shelf

"Ideal for early readers by themselves, for lap-sitting, or as a read-aloud."

Canadian Literature

“Warm illustrations help to expand the brief text.”

The Horn Book Online

"You Hold Me Up is a welcome addition to the ongoing conversations around healing and rebuilding relationships…Gentle, relevant and never heavy-handed, this book serves both as a quiet lullaby and a starting point for discussions on empathy, community and wellness."

Canadian Children's Book News

"A strong and powerful message that even the youngest reader can understand...Very timely message indeed."

Youth Services Book Reviews

“This colourful picture book highlights the important connections that young children make with their friends and family members.”

Canadian Teacher Magazine

"A seemingly simple picture book that conveys a valuable message for all ages…The distinctive and soft illustrations by Daniel enhance the positive message by Smith about the power of companionship, compassion, respect and togetherness…This quiet book has a deep beauty and a universal message. "

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Jury

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