CCBC-Recommended Book Search - Cooperative Children's Book Center

The Song within My Heart

A grandmother guides her grandson through his first pow-wow. He hears the beating of the drums and the singing, but does not understand what they are saying. By urging him to listen and hear, the grandmother gently directs her grandson until he finds the stories and an understanding of his culture. With her warm presence and thoughtful words, the boy’s grandmother, his nokum, grounds her grandson in the history and present of this First Nations experience as well as leads him into his future, encouraging her grandson to own his “stories, songs, and beating heart.” Written in both English and Cree, this story showcases the stunning, brilliant colored and evocative artwork by renowned Cree artist Allen Sapp. Poetic, tender, and informative, the paintings and text are based on Sapp’s memories of being raised by his grandmother on the Red Pheasant reservation in Saskatchewan. ©2015 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Allen Sapp

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-10
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Bilingual Books Cree Language Cree People Dance and Dancers First/Native Nations Grandmothers Identity
Diversity subject: Indigenous

Publisher: Red Deer
Publish Year: 2015
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780889955004

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Bouchard

The Song within My Heart