Last updated: February 24, 2026
Sharing The Light by Monique Gray Smith is a 208-page collection of short stories, reflections, and questions organized around five practices: gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope. Released on January 27, 2026, it quickly became a #2 nonfiction bestseller in Canada, drawing readers who want practical, culturally grounded wisdom for navigating difficult times [5][6]. This is not a self-help book in the conventional sense. It is an Indigenous author drawing on over 34 years of personal healing and Cree/Lakota heritage to offer something quieter and more lasting: a way to reconnect with your own inner light and share it with the people around you [4].
Sharing The Light by Monique Gray Smith: Illuminating Indigenous Resilience and Family Bonds is a phrase that captures exactly what this book does. It bridges Indigenous teachings with universal human experiences, making it accessible whether readers pick it up for daily guidance or read it straight through [2][3].
Key Takeaways
- Published January 27, 2026 by Ambrosia (an imprint of House of Anansi Press), 208 pages, hardcover [5][6]
- Organized around five practices: gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope [2][3]
- Flexible reading format: works as a cover-to-cover read or a daily source of short reflections [3]
- Author background: Monique Gray Smith is Cree/Lakota, an award-winning and bestselling author with over 34 years on her personal healing journey [1][4]
- Endorsed by major voices: Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love) and Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass) both provided praise for the book birchbarkbooks.com
- Price range: $22.99–$26.99 CAD for hardcover; $15.00 CAD for ebook [6][3]
- ISBN: 9781487013547 [5]
- Ideal for: anyone seeking uplifting Canadian stories, Indigenous perspectives on resilience, or a thoughtful gift for someone going through change
Quick Answer
Sharing The Light is a collection of stories and reflections by Cree/Lakota author Monique Gray Smith that uses five core practices to help readers find and share their inner light. It blends Indigenous cultural wisdom with universal themes of family, resilience, and connection. The book works both as a daily guidance tool and a complete narrative experience, and it has earned endorsements from Elizabeth Gilbert and Robin Wall Kimmerer [2][3].
What Is Sharing The Light About?
At its core, Sharing The Light is about the idea that when people embrace their own light and share it, that energy ripples outward and uplifts everyone around them [3]. The book is structured around five transformative practices:
| Practice | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Gratitude | Recognizing what sustains us, even in hard times |
| Love | The teaching that “love is medicine,” a theme across all of Monique Gray Smith’s work [1] |
| Joy | Finding moments of brightness in daily life |
| Happiness | Distinguishing lasting contentment from fleeting pleasure |
| Hope | Maintaining forward vision when the world feels uncertain |
Each section weaves together short stories, personal reflections, and thoughtful questions designed to help readers pause and reconnect [2][3]. The questions are not rhetorical filler. They are genuine invitations to sit with an idea, and many readers report using them as journaling prompts or discussion starters.
“Monique Gray Smith’s signature warmth and wisdom illuminates paths toward resilience, creativity, and human connection.” — Elizabeth Gilbert birchbarkbooks.com
Common mistake: Expecting a linear memoir or novel. This book is deliberately non-linear. Readers can open to any page and find a self-contained reflection, which makes it especially useful as a bedside or desk companion.
How Does This Book Illuminate Indigenous Resilience and Family Bonds?
Monique Gray Smith brings her Cree and Lakota heritage directly into the text, grounding universal themes in specific Indigenous teachings and experiences [2][4]. This is not cultural wisdom presented as decoration. It is the foundation of every story and reflection in the book.
Indigenous resilience in this context means something specific: the ability of Indigenous peoples and communities to maintain identity, connection, and hope despite generations of systemic harm. Smith has spent over 34 years on her own healing journey, and that experience gives the book an authority that purely academic treatments of resilience often lack [4].
Family bonds appear throughout the book in several ways:
- Intergenerational connection: Stories about grandmothers, children, and the passing of wisdom between generations
- Community as family: Consistent with Smith’s other works like Circle of Love and You Hold Me Up, the definition of family extends to community, chosen family, and cultural kinship [1]
- Healing as a family practice: The book frames personal healing as something that benefits not just the individual but everyone connected to them
For readers interested in finding peace through breathing and mindfulness practices, Smith’s reflections on gratitude and joy offer a complementary perspective rooted in Indigenous tradition.
Choose this book if: you want resilience guidance that is culturally specific rather than generic, and you value storytelling over prescriptive advice.
Who Is Monique Gray Smith?
Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish ancestry based on Lekwungen territory in Victoria, British Columbia [1]strongnations.com. She is a bestselling author, international speaker, and consultant whose work consistently returns to a central teaching: love is medicine [1].
Her previous books include:
- My Heart Fills with Happiness (board book for young children)
- You Hold Me Up (picture book about mutual support)
- Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation (nonfiction for young readers)
- Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience (winner of the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature)
- Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults (adapted from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s bestseller)
- I Hope (picture book about the hopes adults hold for children)
- Circle of Love (2025 picture book celebrating family and community) [1]
Smith’s work spans age groups from board books to adult nonfiction, and Sharing The Light represents her first major collection aimed squarely at adult readers seeking personal guidance [4][6].
For those who appreciate community-focused events and family gatherings, Smith’s emphasis on communal joy and shared celebration will feel familiar and affirming.
How Is Sharing The Light by Monique Gray Smith Structured for Daily Use?
One of the book’s strongest design choices is its flexibility. The 208 pages are organized so that each story, vignette, or reflection stands on its own [2][3]. Readers do not need to remember what came before or commit to reading in sequence.
Practical ways to use the book:
- Morning reflection: Open to any page, read one short piece, and sit with the question at the end before starting the day
- Book club discussion: Each of the five sections (gratitude, love, joy, happiness, hope) provides enough material for a dedicated meeting
- Journaling companion: Use the thoughtful questions as writing prompts
- Gift for someone in transition: The book’s gentle tone makes it appropriate for people navigating grief, career change, retirement, or other life shifts
- Classroom or workshop resource: Educators working on social-emotional learning or reconciliation can draw on individual stories
Edge case: Some readers may find the non-linear format disorienting if they are used to traditional narrative nonfiction. If that describes you, try reading the book cover to cover first, then return to individual sections as needed.
“Tender words and heartfelt stories provide gentle guidance to remind us how we can care for each other and ourselves, with attention to the profound power of small acts.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer birchbarkbooks.com
The compact size (5.00″ x 7.75″) also makes it portable enough to carry in a bag or keep on a nightstand [3].
What Makes This Book Different from Other Wellness and Resilience Books?
The wellness and resilience book market is crowded in 2026. Here is how Sharing The Light distinguishes itself:
| Feature | Sharing The Light | Typical Wellness Books |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural grounding | Rooted in Cree/Lakota teachings and Indigenous worldview | Often draws from Western psychology or Eastern philosophy |
| Format | Short stories, reflections, and questions | Usually chapters with exercises or worksheets |
| Tone | Warm, gentle, non-prescriptive | Often instructional or motivational |
| Author perspective | 34+ years of personal healing journey [4] | Varies widely; some authors are primarily researchers |
| Reading flexibility | Any-page-first design [3] | Typically sequential |
| Community focus | Healing as collective, not just individual | Often individualistic |
Decision rule: Choose Sharing The Light if you want wisdom delivered through story rather than instruction, and if Indigenous perspectives are important to your understanding of resilience. Choose a more conventional wellness book if you prefer structured programs with measurable steps.
Readers who value understanding emotional responses in children and families will find Smith’s approach to emotional intelligence through storytelling especially resonant.
Where Can Readers Purchase Sharing The Light?
The book is widely available across Canadian and American retailers in both physical and digital formats [6].
Purchase options:
- Hardcover: $20.00–$26.99 CAD depending on retailer [3][6]
- Ebook (ePub): $15.00 CAD [6]
- Audiobook: Available through Audible and Libro.fm [6]
Retailers carrying the book:
- House of Anansi Press (publisher’s website) [6]
- Indigo/Chapters
- Bookshop.org (supports independent bookstores)
- Amazon Canada and Amazon US
- Strong Nations (Indigenous-focused bookstore) [3]
- Birchbark Books birchbarkbooks.com
- Kobo (ebook)
- Google Play (ebook)
- Local independent bookstores across Canada
Tip for gift-givers: The hardcover edition features a beaded floral pattern with a hummingbird on the cover, making it visually striking as a gift even before it’s opened [6].
For those interested in supporting local community initiatives and events, purchasing from independent or Indigenous-owned bookstores like Strong Nations or Birchbark Books is a meaningful way to align buying choices with values.
Why Has Sharing The Light Resonated So Strongly with Canadian Readers?
The book arrived at a moment when many Canadians are actively seeking Indigenous voices and perspectives, particularly in the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation. But its appeal goes beyond that context.
Several factors explain its rapid rise to #2 on nonfiction bestseller lists:
- Monique Gray Smith’s established readership: Her children’s books, especially My Heart Fills with Happiness and You Hold Me Up, have been widely adopted in schools and homes across Canada [1]. Adult readers who grew up with or read her books to their children were ready for a book written directly for them.
- Endorsements from trusted voices: Praise from Elizabeth Gilbert and Robin Wall Kimmerer signals quality to readers who might not yet be familiar with Smith’s work birchbarkbooks.com.
- The format meets people where they are: In a year when many readers report feeling overwhelmed, a book that can be picked up for five minutes and still deliver something meaningful has obvious appeal [3].
- Genuine cultural depth without exclusion: Smith writes from her Cree and Lakota heritage, but the themes of gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope are universal. The book welcomes all readers without diluting its Indigenous perspective [2][3].
The book also connects to a broader movement of Indigenous authors gaining mainstream recognition in Canadian publishing, alongside works like Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass (which Smith adapted for young adults) [1].
Readers who enjoy community celebrations and cultural festivals will recognize the spirit of communal gathering and shared joy that permeates Smith’s writing.
How Does Sharing The Light Connect to Monique Gray Smith’s Broader Body of Work?
Sharing The Light is best understood as a culmination of themes Smith has explored across her entire career. The teaching that “love is medicine” runs through every one of her books [1], and this collection brings that philosophy to its most direct expression for adult readers.
Connections to her other works:
- From Tilly (2013): The novel about hope and resilience laid the groundwork for the themes of personal healing that Sharing The Light explores through nonfiction strongnations.com
- From Speaking Our Truth (2017): The reconciliation framework informs the book’s approach to healing as both personal and collective
- From My Heart Fills with Happiness (2016) and I Hope (2022): The emotional directness and warmth of her children’s books carries into the adult collection, making it accessible without being simplistic [1]
- From Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults (2022): The collaboration with Robin Wall Kimmerer deepened Smith’s engagement with the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and broader audiences [1]
- From Circle of Love (2025): The most recent picture book’s celebration of diverse family structures and community echoes throughout Sharing The Light‘s reflections on connection [1]
Smith’s April 2025 release Dreaming Alongside further extends her work into new territory, and readers who discover her through Sharing The Light will find a rich backlist waiting [1].
For those who appreciate musical and artistic community events that bring people together, Smith’s vision of shared light and communal healing resonates with the same impulse toward collective experience.
Pros and Cons of Sharing The Light
Pros:
- Beautifully written with genuine warmth and cultural depth
- Flexible format suits busy readers and those who prefer daily reflection
- Grounded in specific Indigenous teachings rather than generic advice
- Compact and giftable hardcover edition
- Endorsed by Elizabeth Gilbert and Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Accessible to readers of all backgrounds
- Thoughtful questions encourage active engagement rather than passive reading
Cons:
- Non-linear structure may frustrate readers who prefer narrative arcs
- At 208 pages, some readers may wish for more depth on individual topics
- Primarily reflective rather than action-oriented; readers seeking step-by-step programs should look elsewhere
- Limited availability of the audiobook through some platforms at launch
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sharing The Light by Monique Gray Smith about?
It is a collection of short stories, reflections, and questions organized around five practices: gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope. The book draws on the author’s Cree and Lakota heritage to offer wisdom for navigating life’s challenges [2][3].
When was Sharing The Light published?
The book was released on January 27, 2026, by Ambrosia, an imprint of House of Anansi Press [5][6].
How long is the book?
208 pages in hardcover, measuring 5.00″ x 7.75″ [3].
Is Sharing The Light a novel?
No. It is a nonfiction collection of stories, vignettes, and reflections. It is not a novel or memoir, though it includes personal narrative elements [2][3].
Who is Monique Gray Smith?
She is a Cree/Lakota/Scottish author, speaker, and consultant based in Victoria, British Columbia. She is the author of multiple award-winning and bestselling books for children and adults, including Tilly, My Heart Fills with Happiness, and Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults [1].
Can I read the book in any order?
Yes. The book is designed so that each piece stands alone. Readers can start on any page or read cover to cover [3].
Is this book only for Indigenous readers?
No. While it is grounded in Indigenous cultural wisdom, the themes are universal. The book explicitly welcomes all readers [2][3].
How much does Sharing The Light cost?
The hardcover ranges from $20.00 to $26.99 CAD depending on the retailer. The ebook is $15.00 CAD [3][6].
Where can I buy it?
It is available through House of Anansi Press, Indigo, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Strong Nations, Birchbark Books, Kobo, and most independent bookstores [3][6].
Is there an audiobook version?
Yes, available through Audible and Libro.fm [6].
What age group is this book for?
It is written for adults, though mature young adult readers would also find it accessible. Smith’s children’s books serve younger audiences [1][4].
Has the book received any notable endorsements?
Yes. Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love) and Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass) both provided praise for the book birchbarkbooks.com.
Conclusion
Sharing The Light by Monique Gray Smith is a book that earns its place on the Canadian nonfiction bestseller list by doing something deceptively simple: offering genuine warmth, cultural depth, and practical wisdom in a format that meets readers wherever they are. The five practices of gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope provide a clear structure without being rigid, and Smith’s storytelling makes abstract concepts feel personal and real.
Actionable next steps for readers:
- Purchase the book from an independent or Indigenous-owned bookstore like Strong Nations or Birchbark Books to support Indigenous bookselling
- Start with any section that speaks to your current needs, whether that is gratitude, love, joy, happiness, or hope
- Use the questions as journaling prompts or book club discussion starters
- Explore Smith’s backlist if this is your first encounter with her work; My Heart Fills with Happiness and Speaking Our Truth are strong starting points for different audiences [1]
- Share the book with someone navigating a life transition; its gentle tone and flexible format make it an especially thoughtful gift
The book’s central premise is worth taking seriously: when people reconnect with their inner light and share it, that energy changes not just their own lives but the lives of everyone around them. In 2026, that message feels both timely and timeless.
References
[1] Monique Gray Smith – https://www.moniquegraysmith.com
[2] Tacoma Public Library Catalog – https://tacoma.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S102C2177217
[3] Sharing The Light Stories And Reflections – Strong Nations – https://www.strongnations.com/store/12302/sharing-the-light-stories-and-reflections
[4] Sharing The Light By Monique Gray Smith – Pickle Me This – https://picklemethis.com/2026/01/20/sharing-the-light-by-monique-gray-smith/
[5] Vroman’s Bookstore – https://vromansbookstore.com/book/9781487013547
[6] Sharing The Light – House of Anansi Press – https://houseofanansi.com/products/sharing-the-light
[7] Excerpt From Sharing The Light – Quill and Quire – https://quillandquire.com/omni/excerpt-from-sharing-the-light-stories-and-reflections-by-monique-gray-smith/
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