We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac
Charlesbridge Publishers
2019 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
2019 Orbis Pictus Honor Book
2019 Reading the West Book Awards Picture Book Winner
2018 Nautilus Children’s Illustrated Non-Fiction Winner
2019 Notable Book American Library Association
2019 Notable Book for a Global Society
2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
2019 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist
2020 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award Shortlist
2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List
2018 Best Books List – Kirkus, School Library Journal, NPR
2018 Best of the Books List – Chicago Public Library
2018 Best Multicultural Children’s Books – Center for Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature
2018 Nerdies: Best Nonfiction Picture Books List
2018 Junior Library Guild Selection
*Starred reviews – Kirkus, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness, The Horn Book
A look at modern Native American life as told by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-le-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.
