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We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

Throughout the year Cherokee people express their gratitude with the word “otsaliheliga” as “a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles.” Beginning in fall, the book moves through the year, touching on seasons, ceremonies, celebrations, and everyday cultural practices and daily life, all instances in which Cherokee say “otsaliheliga.” Cherokee words are integrated into the text, with pronunciations and the words written in the Cherokee syllabary at the bottom of the page on which they appear. Notes at the end provide more information about objects, games, historical events, and ceremonies mentioned in the book, as well as the lived experiences of the author and various cultural experts she spoke to in her research. The naïve style illustrations use bold, bright colors and show a variety of contemporary Cherokee people in a single community. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Frane Lessac

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Cherokee People First/Native Nations Gratitude Seasons
Diversity subject: Indigenous

Publisher: Charlesbridge
Publish Year: 2018
ISBN: 9781580897723

CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 975 Sorell

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga