You Hold Me Up / Gimanaadenim (Bilingual Edition, English and Anishnaabemowin)
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.
This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Anishinaabemowin.
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Monique Gray Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author and public speaker. Her books cover a broad spectrum of ages, topics and emotions. Woven into all of Monique's writing and her speaking engagements is the teaching that Love is Medicine. Her books include Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, My Heart Fills With Happiness, You Hold Me Up, Lucy and Lola, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience, Tilly and the Crazy Eights, When We Are Kind and I Hope. She has also created the young adult adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Monique is Cree and Scottish. She lives with her family on the Traditional Territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples.
Danielle Daniel is an award-winning author and illustrator of books for children and adults. She holds an MFA from the University of British Columbia and lives on Manitoulin Island with her family.
"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"
"This colourful picture book highlights the important connections that young children make with their friends and family members."-- "Canadian Teacher Magazine"
"An uplifting look at the impact of small moments throughout the day."-- "School Library Journal"
"You Hold Me Up is a gentle but effective way to introduce the topic of Reconciliation to students of all ages."-- "ETFO Voice"
"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 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"
"Ideal for early readers by themselves, for lap-sitting, or as a read-aloud."-- "Canadian Literature"
"A strong and powerful message that even the youngest reader can understand...Very timely message indeed."-- "Youth Services Book Reviews"
