Powwow Day
by Traci Sorell
illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
Charlesbridge, 2022. 36 pages.
Review written April 23, 2022, from a library book
Starred Review
I’ve read other children’s books about Powwows, but this one touched my heart especially.
It’s a picture book about a little girl named River who wakes up excited about powwow day.
Then I remember.
No dancing.
No jingle dress competition for me.
Not at this tribal powwow.
“I wish my hair weren’t still so short.” I sigh.
Mama lays out the moccasins that match my dress.
“But everyone wants to see you,” Amber reminds me.
“Why? I can’t dance like I could before I got sick.”
“But you will dance again,” she responds.
We see the powwow through River’s eyes. The Grand Entry. The different dances. The competitions.
I didn’t know that the girl’s jingle dress dance is a healing dance. Her friend dances it especially for River.
The art in this book is especially beautiful. I love the soft colors used. My own little niece recently finished leukemia treatments (which made her lose her hair), so it may have touched me all the more because of that.
As the story ends, River looks forward to dancing in the next powwow. There are three pages at the back giving more information, but the story itself is simple and beautiful and can be read without further explanation.
tracisorell.com
madelyngoodnight.com
charlesbridge.com
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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