You Hold Me Up

You Hold Me Up is a picture book written by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Danielle Daniel. The text presents simple, repetitive phrases in both English and Plains Cree. Through illustrations and minimal text, the book shows Indigenous children and adults interacting with each other in everyday situations. The scenes depict activities like playing, cooking, listening, and helping one another. The book promotes the concept of reciprocal care within Indigenous communities and emphasizes the interconnected nature of relationships. Through its themes of mutual support and kindness, it serves as an introduction to reconciliation for young readers.

Readers appreciate this picture book's simple, clear message about kindness and connection. Parents and teachers report that children connect with the everyday examples of supporting others through listening, helping, and showing love. Multiple reviewers note the book's value for teaching Indigenous perspectives and building cultural understanding. A kindergarten teacher on Goodreads mentioned using it to discuss reconciliation with young students. The illustrations receive consistent praise for depicting diverse Indigenous children and families in contemporary settings. Several readers specifically highlighted how the artwork shows modern Indigenous life rather than historical stereotypes. Some readers felt the text was too basic or repetitive for older children. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (447 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (279 ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) A common theme in reviews is the book's effectiveness as a teaching tool for both social-emotional learning and Indigenous cultural awareness in early childhood settings.

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🌟 Author Monique Gray Smith is of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish ancestry and writes books that celebrate Indigenous culture and wisdom 🎨 The book's illustrator, Danielle Daniel, created warm, vibrant artwork inspired by her Algonquin, Métis, and French heritage 💝 The story was written in response to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help young children learn about reconciliation and healing 📚 The text appears in both English and Plains Cree (ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ / nēhiyawēwin), making it accessible to speakers of both languages 🤝 The book's gentle message about mutual support and community care was inspired by Indigenous teachings about interconnectedness and responsibility to one another