Award-winning author Monique Gray Smith continues to deliver messages we all need to hear. In I Hope / nipakosêyimon, Gray Smith shares her hope for all children, and it is a hope that knows no boundaries. All children—worldwide—deserve to be happy, healthy, and safe, and that is the message delivered in this beautifully illustrated book. Gabrielle Grimard's soothing illustrations bring a sense of peace and joy to the book and set the mood for the reader. Delivering text in English and Cree, Gray Smith provides an opportunity for an Indigenous language to be recognized and celebrated. This book is a must for classrooms where children learn about friendships, safety, belonging, and other life-affirming experiences.

Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author Monique Gray Smith (Cree), Illustrator Gabrielle Grimard, Translator to Cree Dolores Greyeyes Sand (nêhiyawêwin)
Bibliography: Yes
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools & Indigenous Books for Schools

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

 

GABRIELLE GRIMARD a illustré plus de 30 albums, dontLes mots volés, Quand j’avais huit ans, Fatima et les voleurs de clémentines, Aujourd'hui peut-être... et les livres de la série Petit Gnouf. Elle est aussi l'auteure-illustratrice de l'album Lila et la corneille. Gabrielle habite aux environs de Montréal.

 

From the time she was little GABRIELLE GRIMARD loved art, dismaying her elementary school teachers by constantly drawing in class. Later Gabrielle studied art in high school and university. After her son was born, she began illustrating children’s books and has now created more than 25, including When I Was Eight (Quand j'avais huit ans), Stolen Words (Les mots volés) and Not My Girl (Où est ma fille?). Lila and the Crow (Lila et la corneille) is the first book she both wrote and illustrated. She uses watercolours, gouache and oil to create images of amazing warmth and depth. Gabrielle lives near Montreal, QC. Visit her at https://www.gabriellegrimard.com.

Gabrielle Grimard's profile page

As a first-language speaker of Plains Cree (nêhiyawêwin), translator Dolores Greyeyes Sand has devoted her career to teaching and promoting Cree language and cultural literacy at every opportunity, proudly following the path laid by her late mother, Dr Freda Ahenakew CM, SOM.

 

Dolores Greyeyes Sand's profile page

• Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Shining Willow
• Commended, Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites Award Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

“Grimard’s artwork along with Gray Smith’s messages of hope create a synergy and context…Together they successfully teach intangible moments.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“The ingredients for happiness…A good platform to discuss children’s hopes, which is useful in both group and one-on-one settings.”

Booklist

“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

“A wonderful message and an opportunity to remind children how loved they are and that they will always have someone cheering them on and supporting them.”

Children's Literature

“Lovely and warm…The dual language text is important not only for those who speak Cree, but for all those who read it. It helps to remind children that Indigenous people are “still here” and retain their language and culture.”

The Arts Fuse

“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

“Comforting, encouraging sentiments that adult readers and their little ones will appreciate.”

Kirkus Reviews

“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