# data[].attributes.body
Here is a link to Monique Gray Smith's website!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
new online course
If you have already purchased the course - access it here!
The Ripple Effect of Resilience

This course is a culmination of Monique's over 30 years of working in various capacities across North America and Internationally. It reflects her gentle approach to understanding history, trauma, culture and resilience and how they influence us in ways we may or may not be aware of.

Also included in the course is the 4 Blankets of Resilience, a cultural resilience model Monique developed in 2000.

"A story of triumph and generosity of spirit in every way. As I read, Tilly became my friend.I would follow her anywhere."

- Shelagh Rogers, host of CBC's The Next Chapter

When We Are Kind

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.

Tilly and the Crazy Eights

an unexpected journey can be powerful medicine.

When Tilly receives an invitation to help drive eight elders on their ultimate bucket list road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, she impulsively says yes. Before she knows it, Tilly has said goodbye to her family and is behind the wheel-ready to embark on an adventure that will transform her in ways she could not predict, just as it will for each and every one of the seniors on the trip, who soon dub themselves "the Crazy Eights."

Love Is Medicine In Your Inbox

Subscribe to our mailing list and get notified when courses launch and when Monique has new books come out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you have already purchased the course - access it here ! This course is a culmination of Monique's over 30 years of working in various capacities across North America and Internationally. It reflects her gentle approach to understanding history, trauma, culture and resilience and how they influence us in ways we may or may not be aware of.

# data[].attributes.body
Monique Gray Smith

# data[].attributes.body
Gordon, C. (2021). 17 New Authors of Color Writing Much-Needed Stories for Kids. Brightly. Retrieved April 13, 2020 from https://www.readbrightly.com/new-authors-of-color-writing-for-kids/.

Monique believes that Love is Medicine. (2020). moniquegraysmith.com. Retrieved April, 13, 2021, from https://www.moniquegraysmith.com/about.

Monique Gray Smith. (2020). Books. Retrieved from https://www.moniquegraysmith.com/writing.

Orca Book Publishers.(August, 21, 2017). Monique Gray Smith Interview [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQLauCFGmvg.

Publishers, O. B. (n.d.). Welcome: Speaking Our Truth. Welcome | Speaking Our Truth. http://orcabook.com/speakingourtruth/index.html.

Recommended: YOU HOLD ME UP by Monique Gray Smith. American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL). (n.d.). https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2017/07/recommended-you-hold-me-up-by-monique.html#:~:text=Published%20by%20Orca%2C%20it%20is,people%20in%20the%20present%20day.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre. (2019, October 19). Speaking Our Truth by Monique Gray Smith wins the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize. Book Centre Canada. Retrieved from https://bookcentre.ca/news/speaking-truth-monique-gray-smith-wins-bolen-books-childrens-book-prize.

View, Q. (n.d.). Tilly and the Crazy Eights. Second Story Press. https://secondstorypress.ca/adult/tilly-and-the-crazy-eights.

"When We Are Kind". CM. (2020, June 26). https://www.cmreviews.ca/node/1729.

# data[].attributes.headline
Awards and honorable notations for Gray Smith's work

# data[].attributes.subject
Awards and honorable notations for Gray Smith's work

# data[].attributes.body
Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation won the Bolen Books Children's Book Prize  and was 1 of 5 finalists for the TD Canadian Children’s Book Award. (The Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2019)

# data[].attributes.body
You Hold Me Up was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.
(Monique Gray Smith, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
Tilly and the Crazy Eights won the PMC Indigenous Literature Award.
(Monique Gray Smith, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience won the 2014 CODE Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature.
(Monique Gray Smith, 2020).

Lucy & Lola won the 2018 CODE Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Young Adult Literature.
Lucy & Lola is also a finalist for the Sheila A. Egoff Award for Children’s Literature as part of the BC Book Awards.
(Monique Gray Smith, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
Gray Smith is inspired by resilience in many of her books. She believes it is important to witness challenges, pain, and triumph in life. She says, “...it is in the journey that teachings and life lessons are revealed that can help the reader sort through something that might be going on in their life…”. The awe of power of the human spirit and our ability to be resilient is what inspires her! Gray Smith is also inspired by her Indigenous heritage, often representing Native people in her books.

# data[].attributes.body
Monique Gray Smith is of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent; the proud Mom of 12-year-old twins; and the author of books for babies, kids, and teens, including the picture books You Hold Me Up and My Heart Fills with Happiness and the YA novel Tilly.

# data[].attributes.headline
Monique Gray Smith on her book: Speaking Our Truth

# data[].attributes.subject
Monique Gray Smith on her book: Speaking Our Truth

# data[].attributes.body
Monique Gray Smith often writes books that are realistic fiction, meaning that the stories did not actually happen, but they could. Some of Gray Smith's books, like Speaking Our Truth, are nonfiction since they discuss real events.

# data[].attributes.body
Tilly and the Crazy Eights follows Tilly as she drives eight Elders (the Crazy Eights) to fulfill their bucket lists in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Throughout their road trip, Tilly and the Crazy Eights find friendship, love, and amazing experiences.

# data[].attributes.body
Speaking Our Truth asks readers to take a journey of reconciliation. The book discusses the history of residential schools in Canada, which is often neglected in school curricula. A residential school is a school that was set up by European settlers to convert Indigenous people to European practices. The book is inspired by a presentation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Throughout the story, Gray Smith emphasizes the importance of honesty, kindness, and listening to all individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
You Hold Me Up encourages children to consider each others well-being by showing love and support towards each other. The story explores the different ways to hold others up through cooking, praying, singing, or helping each other! The illustrations reflect Native people during modern times.

# data[].attributes.body
When We Are Kind celebrates the importance of being kind. It explores how you feel when you give and receive acts of kindness within your community. The illustrations of this book feature Indigenous individuals.