I Know I Am Precious and Sacred

We say “I love you” to our children every day. But would you tell them that they are “Precious” and “Sacred”? These are two very big and abstract words to children (maybe even to adults). How would you explain the meaning of these words to a young child? How would you discuss value and respect with a young child?

Being the second in the “Precious and Sacred” series, this children’s book I Know I Am Precious and Sacredwas first published in 2015 and has since become a popular title among education and cultural organizations across Canada. The book distills the topic of value, dignity and respect perfectly through a conversation between a grandfather and a grandchild. The text is simple, beautiful, and elegantly rhymed. Readers will be deeply touched by the ancestral wisdom and spiritual teaching embedded in the inter-generational conversation. The loving words from the grandfather enable the child and the readers to truly understand the Indigenous ways of knowing and cherishing children, as well as the relationship between people and nature.

Adding to the moving text are beautiful photographs of Indigenous children, youth, families in natural settings. The photos capture the harmony of Indigenous children joyfully enjoying the sky, the river, the mountain, and trees on mother earth. The purest smiles are perfect examples for the author’s statement — “children are the heart of life”.

Author Debora Abood is passionate about the wholeness of individuals, families, and communities. This book is a collaboration of Debora, the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (where Debora works), and many community members, including the Elders, children, youth, parents, VNFC staff and more. It is an accomplishment by the community to serve the community.

I Know I Am Precious and Sacred invites readers and listeners to explore the Indigenous ways of loving and teaching in families and communities. It makes a wonderful addition to classrooms, libraries and homes. Children and parents from all backgrounds will benefit from reading and listening to the thought-provoking and soul-hitting conversation. I Know I Am Precious and Sacred is an enjoyable read that also invites readers to evoke their own stories as they read, to rethink their understandings of the value of children, and to encourage young children to see themselves as loved, valued, and cherished.