Review - When We Are Kind

When We Are Kind
by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Date: 2020
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a lovely little book for young readers that could help foster discussions around what it means to be kind (and also how we feel when we are kind and others are kind to us). In today's world, these are important messages suitable for all ages.

The illustrations depict mostly Indigenous children, which is nice to see. But that doesn't mean that this book can't be enjoyed, appreciated, and learned from by children of all backgrounds.

While the text and messaging are simple, they're also nice and clear. That makes perfect sense. Kindness shouldn't be difficult.

Overall, this is a nice book, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other readers. It would also make a great classroom read with some follow-up discussion about kindness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - My Heart Fills with Happiness

My Heart Fills with Happiness
by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Julie Flett
Date: 2016
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

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.

International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the second picture book I've read by this author, the first being You Hold Me Up, which I didn't really like much. I think the pictures in this one were a lot better, helping to illustrate the tender moments in the book. There's really no story, just a collection of happy thoughts. It reads almost like a child's gratitude journal.

There's not much in the way of text (so read-out-loud storytime will be very short), but the pictures are nice to look at and illustrate some cultural traditions that many kids might not know much about.

Overall, it's a cute little book, with a nice message and simple pictures. I'd recommend this one over You Hold Me Up for the illustrations alone.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - You Hold Me Up

You Hold Me Up
by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Danielle Daniel
Date: 2017
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 18
Format: e-book
Source: library

This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages 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 their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I feel bad about not being able to give this book a higher rating. The intention with which it was written was good. The text and message are fine, laudable even. So what's the problem?

I really didn't like the pictures. The very first one looked to me like the woman was side-eyeing the reader, and that was kind of the feeling I had myself as I went through the rest of it. The illustrations are very basic, and look almost like they were done by a child. Everybody's skin is blotchy, to the point where I wondered if they had some sort of medical condition. I think I would have found the illustrations unnerving when I was a child.

It may just be a matter of personal preference, but with the narrative being as thin as it is, I can't really justify giving this picture book any higher of a rating... since I didn't like the pictures at all.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 1/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5