Events › Author Visit: Monique Gray Smith (Brighouse Grades K-3)

Join award winning and best selling author, Monique Gray Smith in welcoming your students back to school and creating classrooms of care. She will read from her children's books, You Hold Me Up and I Hope, and possibly her new book, Circle of Love. These books have been chosen as ways to support young learners to think about how they want to be as a classmate and what their hopes are for the school year ahead. This will be a fun and energizing session. This program is best suited for grades K-3.

Monique Gray Smith is a proud mom of twins, an award-winning, best-selling author and sought after consultant.

In 2022, Monique adapted Robin Wall Kimmerer’s New York Times Best selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass for a new generation of readers. Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults was released in November 2023.

Monique has 9 books ranging for readers across the life span. Children’s books include My Heart Fills with Happiness, You Hold Me Up, When We Are Kind, Lucy and Lola and I Hope.

Young Adult and Adult books include Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience.Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was long listed for Canada Reads 2021.

Monique’s books are used to share wisdom, knowledge, hope and the important teaching that love is medicine.

Monique is Cree and Scottish and has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 33 years. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.

Photo Procedure: Library staff may take photos and videos to be used for promotional purposes by the library. If you would prefer not to have your picture taken, please speak to a library staff member. Participants of online programs and events are asked to not take screenshots and/or record programs.