We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané  Lessac
Charlesbridge Publishing
ISBN:  978-1580897723

Cover of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
Cover of Estamos Agradecidos TraciSorell

Otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is a word that Cherokee people use to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the Cherokee New Year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences.
Written by Traci Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrated by Frané Lessac, this nonfiction look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.

Love the artwork in the book?

Illustrator Frané Lessac has select signed prints from the book available on her website for sale.

recognition

2024 Bank Street College of Education's Best Spanish Language Picture Book List
2020 American Indian Youth Literature Award - Picture Book Honor
2019 Sibert Medal Honor Award
2019 Orbis Pictus Honor Award
2019 Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Award
2018 Reading the West Picture Book Winner

RAVE REVIEWS

  • “A gracious, warm, and loving celebration of community and gratitude”

    —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

  • “Perfect for holiday and family sharing”

    —Shelf Awareness, starred review

  • "Underscores the importance of traditions . . . while simultaneously . . . challenging dated media images of Indigenous people."

    —The Horn Book, starred review

  • “Highly recommended! What makes We Are Grateful exquisite is that Sorell's book touches on the Trail of Tears, naming of children, and the importance of listening to elders at the Cherokee National Holiday. These parts of the book are depicted in a matter of fact way. They aren't emotionally weighted--and they don't need to be. They are parts of the lives of Cherokee citizens. I think it is Sorell's identity that makes it possible for these parts of the story to work as beautifully as they do!"

    —American Indians in Children’s Literature

  • "The text reads like poetry . . . and the author’s note sets past misrepresentations right."

    —Booklist

audio book

Hear Cherokee citizens read each season

Awards for the audio book

2020 Odyssey Honor Award
2020 American Library Association Notable Children’s Recording
2020 Audie Awards Finalist - Young Listeners Category
AudioFile Magazine’s Best Audiobooks of 2019

RAVE REVIEWS

  • "Each narrator lends a unique voice to the story, complementing the diverse contemporary Cherokee families who are depicted celebrating every season. Cherokee pronunciations are beautifully delivered to help listeners understand the language, while sounds of the forest and the community create ambiance. Listening with the picture book is the ideal way to appreciate this charming and important work with themes of being thankful, honoring family and ancestors, and coming together for celebrations ...."

    —AudioFile Earphones Award

  • "Cherokee words are always pronounced slowly and clearly by several authentic narrators of different ages, making the reading accessible to all . . . A unique aural presentation of present-day Cherokees sharing their traditions.”

    —Booklist review of audiobook

NEWS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Interviews

podcasts

written interviews

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