This is one of my favourites! It's a great story to introduce at the beginning of the school year when talking about families, or a lovely bedtime read with a preschooler at home.
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Summary from the publisher:
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.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
and Julie Flett was first published by Orca Book Publishers in 2016.
My heart fills with happiness when…
someone I love
Why read this book?
This board book encourages both parents and children to think about the simple joys of life that bring happiness. It highlights nature and family through poetic language and the warm-toned illustrations. I especially loved how this story ends with a question to provoke more thought.
My Thoughts as a Writer:
The lyrical language in this book carries us gently through the pages. I love the way specific details in the text and illustrations show us First Nations culture, but at the same time are universal experiences that every child can feel alone or with their own family.
My Thoughts as an Educator:
I purchased this book for my personal teaching collection. It fits in so well with our discussions about feelings in kindergarten. I love the openness of the question: What fills your heart with happiness? It can be interpreted in many different ways – people, foods, activities, experiences, and so on. The illustrations offer lots of opportunity to talk about families and different cultures. It’s a book I like to keep on my classroom shelf so children can return to it on their own to feel comfort and love. I also really like that some versions include Cree as well as English words on the same page.
Writing & Emotional Learning: Provide a small booklet labeled: “What Brings Me Happiness” with several pages. Keep in an accessible place and encourage children to return to add new ideas as they discover more things that fill their hearts with happiness.
Improvise: Play several different types of music for children. Encourage them to move in “joyful” ways. Which music sounds “happy”?
Visual Art: Encourage children to paint picture of a time they felt happy with a family member.
Social-Emotional Learning: In thinking about what fills our own hearts with happiness, it’s also wonderful to think about how to fill someone else’s heart. Provide a heart template and encourage children to create a “happy heart” to give to someone else. Surprise another class with some messages of happiness!
Additional Resources:
Wolf Joe is an animated series that focuses on a First Nations boy and Anishinaabe teachings.
49th Kids has a great list of books to help with learning about residential schools
Here the author reads her story:
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