My Heart Fills With Happiness

"My heart fills with happiness when... I see the face of someone I love." So begins the simple narrative of this sweet board-book celebration of happiness, and the things in a child's life that foster it. From the smell of bannock baking in the oven to the feeling of the sun on one's cheeks, from dancing to drumming, the experiences which produce happiness are those which connect us to the world around us, and to the people closest to us...

My Heart Fills With Happiness is the first book I have picked up from Canadian author Monique Gray Smith, described on her website as a woman of mixed First Nations (Lakota and Cree) and European (Scottish) descent. I didn't really know anything about the author before picking it up, but being a great show more admirer of the illustrator, Metis artist Julie Flett, I requested it from the library. I'm glad I did, even though I don't read a great many board books, as I thought it was a lovely little volume. The artwork is (not surprisingly) beautiful, with a deep, satisfying color palette, and many appealing stylized scenes. I think my favorite was the one of the adult male drummer, with a child on his lap, although the scene with the girl twirling in her dress (as seen on the cover) was also quite charming. The cultural context here is First Nations/Native American, with reference to things like bannock - a bread I had always associated with Scotland, but which is also apparently a staple of the indigenous Canadian diet - and drumming. The emotional resonance, on the other hand, with references to such things as holding a loved one's hand, is universal. Recommended to fellow Julie Flett fans, to those looking for children's books with a First Nations context, and to anyone looking for board books addressing happiness and love in a young child's life. show less

"Black-haired, brown-skinned children describe many sources of happiness in this board book, dedicated by the author to “former Indian Residential School students.”

“My heart fills with happiness when… / I see the face of someone I love // I smell bannock baking in the oven / I sing.” Author Smith, who is Cree, Lakota, and Scottish-Canadian, infuses her simple text with the occasional detail that bespeaks her First Nations heritage even as she celebrates universal pleasures. In addition to the smell of bannock, the narrator delights in dancing, listening to stories, and drumming. Cree-Métis artist Flett introduces visual details that further underscore this heritage, as in the moccasins, shawl, and braids worn by the dancing show more child and the drum and drumsticks wielded by the adult and toddler who lovingly make music together. (The “I drum” spread is repeated immediately, possibly to emphasize its importance, a detail that may disorient readers expecting a different scene.) Although the narrative voice is consistent, the children depicted change, which readers will note by hairstyle, dress, and relative age. The bannock bakes in a modern kitchen, and most of the clothing is likewise Western, emphasizing that these Native Americans are contemporary children. There is nothing in the text that specifically identifies them by nation, however.

Specific visuals ground this sweet celebration of simple pleasures. (Board book. 1-3)" www.kirkusreviews.com show less

Gorgeous. Sure to be effective. (Assuming I didn't read a defective copy or the board book is different) I appreciate the repetition of the penultimate page, in which the reader is asked to check in with her own heart. The words are almost unnecessary, as the pictures are so graceful and warm. I love that it depicts Native families but is universal in appeal. Highly recommended to families with tots, to shelters and counselors, to everyone.

diverse picture book (feelings; love for babies/toddlers and up)
* prominently features diverse characters: the book is dedicated to a group of First Nations Canadians, but the characters' brown skin and straight black hair also brings to mind the diverse backgrounds of other children, and the content of the pages is pretty universal (except for one mention of "bannock baking," a term unfamiliar with those of us who are non-native or non-Scots).
* would work for a baby storytime, a toddler storytime (though the pages are a bit small), or as a one-to-one readaloud. The text is very brief--preschoolers would enjoy it too, but it's really short and it is a quieter topic that lends itself more easily to one-on-one bedtime/naptime stories. The show more illustrations are gorgeous.

There are other similar books by Monique Gray Smith and others illustrated by Julie Flett, but this one is my favorite so far (though I'll admit I've largely forgotten the other two or three I've looked at). show less

A sweet celebration of the many things that make us happy and bring us joy. The book emphasizes shared familial activities and experiences.

Cosy, sweet, comforting and a lovely little board book.

I love Flett's illustrations (I think she's one of my favourite illustrators ever) and just the whole mood of this book was warm and compassionate.

Simple, beautiful representation and brightly-coloured. What more do you want in a book?

I'll be including this in a Youtube video (hopefully!) soon.

My Heart Fills with Happiness follows a young girl as she finds joy in moments like being with loved ones, enjoying traditional foods, and listening to songs and stories. The book encourages children to notice and celebrate the experiences that make their own hearts happy.