You hold me up

Monique Gray Smith, 1968-

Book - 2017

An evocative picture book intended to foster reconciliation among children and encourage them to show each other love and support.

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2 / 2 copies available
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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
[Victoria, British Columbia] : Orca Book Publishers [2017]
Language
English
Main Author
Monique Gray Smith, 1968- (author)
Other Authors
Danielle Daniel (illustrator)
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 24 cm
Issued also in electronic format
Audience
Ages 4-8.
ISBN
9781459814479
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

A simple text provides examples of how people can love, support, and respect each other in a variety of ways. Each activity involves two or more people, with many parts of the text ending with me to emphasize that no one is above anyone else. The admirable message is summarized in the last three lines, you hold me up / I hold you up / we hold each other up. The multimedia, folk-art-style illustrations depict people with varying skin tones and types of hair, all against simple backgrounds, which keeps the message clear and direct. Many different kinds of people older, younger, women, men are depicted, communicating that everyone has something to offer and everyone needs something else. The straightforward message appears simple on the surface, but there is deeper meaning here: The Canadian author, a woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish ancestry, explains in a note that past laws adversely affected indigenous peoples in general, and children in particular, and her book is part of a larger effort toward healing and reconciliation.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2018 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-This evocative picture book is a lovely meditation on kindness and respect. Simple declarative statements belie important cornerstones of humanity: "You hold me up when you comfort me"; "when you laugh with me"; "when you listen to me." Daniel's stylized watercolor paintings show children interacting in positive ways with peers, adults, and family members. Warm, gentle scenes include a rosy-cheeked boy sharing an apple with a younger friend, an elder and two children drumming and singing beneath a starry sky, and a little girl cradled in her mother's embrace. A strong sense of community runs through the poetic text and illustrations and is encapsulated in the final phrase, "We hold each other up." Dedicated to the "children, families and staff of Aboriginal Head Start programs," an author's endnote sheds light on the indignities and abuse suffered by generations of Indigenous Canadians. VERDICT Powerful and significant, this is a must-have addition to most collections. Perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

You hold me up when you comfort me / when you listen to me / when you respect me." With only a handful of such sentences describing supportive behavior, there's not much for readers to sink their teeth into until an appended note ties the book to the history and impact of Canada's Indian boarding schools. Daniel's warm illustrations help to expand the brief text. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A simple recitation of the ways that people can be supportive of one another."This book was written in the spirit of reconciliation and is dedicated to the children, families and staff of Aboriginal Head Start programs." That is the dedication; at the end, there is a longer note about notorious Indian Residential schools, where, for over 150 years, indigenous children in Canada were humiliated and abused. In between, all the words and art offer a warm and positive message. Simple and pointed phrases are printed boldly on white or pastel backgrounds on half of each double-page spread, with stylized, bright, watercolor illustrations on each opposing page. Each brown- or tan-skinned face has cheeks with outlined, bright pink circles; other features are sweetly expressive lines of ink, sometimes including little hearts for mouths. Birds, flowers, and gaily patterned wallpapers add to a feeling of contentment and communal power. The image of an adult and two children, eyes closed, singing outside by moonlight and beating on drums, is especially strong, as is an illustration of two hugging children of different skin colors and hair types. The titular phrase "You hold me up," followed by simple words such as "when you listen to me," is used several times until the final pages, where it is replaced by "I hold you up" and "We hold each other up." A final, multigenerational picnic is lovely. Calming, positive, and serenely affirmative. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.


You hold me up when you comfort me
   When you listen to me
   When you respect me.

You hold me up

I hold you up

We hold each other up.


Excerpted from You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.