Gathering the Light

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.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.