From the U.S. Poet Laureate and author of the award winning picture book, Remember, this luminous and lyrical story reminds readers to cherish their place in the world and make a positive impact wherever they go.We live in a circle; it begins at sunrise.Go out to greet the day, to respect, to honor.Beginning at sunrise, this poetic picture book follows a young girl and her faithful dog through the sacred rhythm of a day. She gathers light in the morning and moves through the day, giving thanks, remembering her loved ones, and releasing the day's worries. Her journey is a reminder that we all exist as part of a circle—ever moving, ever bright.
In reverent and rhythmic lines, celebrated poet and member of the Mvskoke Nation, Joy Harjo has penned an original poem in which she invites readers to live each day with gratitude, respect, and honor. With rich illustrations by Anishinaabe artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley,
Gathering the Light is a poignant affirmation of the connection between all beings and the responsibility to care for one another.
On sale: September 29, 2026
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9780593901557
Joy Harjo is a performer, writer, and the first Native American to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate. A member of the Mvskoke Nation, Harjo is the author of numerous acclaimed books of poetry, memoir, and children’s literature. She is the author of
Remember, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, which received the
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, was a national bestseller, and received numerous starred reviews.
Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is a contemporary Anishinaabe artist and a member of the Wasauksing First Nation. He is the acclaimed illustrator of several celebrated children’s books, including
This Is How I Know, which won the Governor General’s Literary Award for illustration.
★ "A
satisfying warmth illuminates this connective picture book." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Pair with Bruce Handy and Lisk Feng’s wondrous
There Was a Shadow to build on the day-to-dusk concept, or with Julie Flett’s
Birdsong to continue celebrating relationships between people and our natural world.
Illuminating." —
Kirkus Reviews
"
The text encourages gratitude and suggests things to ask the light for, including blessings for one’s own path and the paths of others." —
The Horn Book
