Monique Gray Smith explores the power of love and community in picture book Circle of Love
CBC Books | Posted: October 26, 2023 5:33 PM | Last Updated: October 26, 2023
The uplifting picture book will be available on March 12, 2024
Monique Gray Smith is an author and storyteller of Cree, Lakota and Scottish heritage known for her stories about the resilience of Indigenous communities. Her latest book, Circle of Love, illustrated by Diné artist Nicole Neidhardt, shows the power of an accepting and diverse community.
In the book, young Molly spends the day at the intertribal community centre where they're preparing for a feast. She introduces readers to the people she knows and loves, including her grandmother and her grandmother's wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins and her cherished friends. Throughout, Molly explains how at the centre, everyone is welcome and "love is love."
"As a two-spirit person who identifies as a woman, writing this book took me back to my childhood," wrote Smith in a statement. "It was a time when I didn't understand what was going on inside me and didn't have anyone I could talk to about my feelings. There were no role models in my family and I never saw myself reflected in any books or TV shows. I wanted Molly to have a different experience."
There were no role models in my family and I never saw myself reflected in any books or TV shows. I wanted Molly to have a different experience. - Monique Gray Smith
"Circle of Love holds a close place in my heart as a queer Diné artist," said Neidhardt. "Being able to illustrate the joy, connection and diversity that exists throughout queer communities is so important, especially now."
"Circle of Love is what I would have loved my childhood to have been like and what I hope it is like today for children and young people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+," said Smith.
Smith's other books include the middle-grade book Speaking Our Truth, the picture book When We Are Kind, also illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt, and the picture book You Hold Me Up, illustrated by Danielle Daniel. Her novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was on the 2021 Canada Reads longlist.
Neidhardt is Diné (Navajo) of Kiiyaa'áanii clan and works in a variety of media, including book illustration, mylar stenciling, installation and mural painting and design.
Circle of Love is for ages 4 to 8. It will be available on March 12, 2024.