Powwow Day

by Traci Sorell, Madelyn Goodnight (Illustrator)

Eight-year-old River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again?

River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.

Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Family, Childrens, Native American, Cultural, Native Americans

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2022

About the author

Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. In 2023, she shares Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series, a Kirkus Reviews starred nonfiction picture book biography illustrated by Arigon Starr, and Mascot, a middle grade fiction novel-in-verse co-authored with Charles Waters. Traci is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Learn more at www.tracisorell.com.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vivid and colorful illustrations in this new book give us a view of the powwow through the eyes of 8-year-old River. She has been ill and will not get to dance in her jingle dress. Her friends and family dance for her healing in the arena. In the back of the book are additional details about powwows and an author's note. One really interesting fact I learned is that during the pandemic, many jingle dances were shared on-line to help those who were sick.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

River is a young indigenous girl who wants to dance at her tribal powwow - but she is ill this year. River learns to connect with her tribe in other ways; even as she looks forward to dancing next year. A wonderful book about family and community. Vibrant illustrations that give you an idea of the colorful costumes the dancers wear.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powwow Day is a picture book that I received for review, but all thoughts are my own.

Powwow Day focuses on 8 year old River as she recovers from an illness that prevents her from being able to dance at the Powwow. Because of this, readers see the the powwow through her perspective. Rich with color and beautiful illustrations, River teaches readers so much about powwows and the importance of community. While she isn't able to join in on the celebration, her family and friends dance for her healing. This is, once again, a great example of the importance of "windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors" where children are able to learn more about someone else's cultural practices. The information in the back of the book is also rewarding and provides readers with insight to the structure of a powwow and the participants. This is definitely a book that I would my daughter to reader when she get's older.

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much that I love about POWWOW DAY, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. The story weaves together both the past and the present and is both timely and accurate.

The story is about a young girl named River who attends a Powwow with her sister and parents. Normally, River would dance, but she’s sick. The author spends a lot of time explaining to readers about what the different types of dancers, the arena, and even the emcee and drum group are. I am really appreciative of how the illustrator, Goodnight, approached the artwork.

Goodnight consciously chose to reveal the great diversity in Native America, namely regarding phenotype. Instead of showing English readers stereotypical Natives (e.g., dark brown skin, coal black hair), she used art to reveal the true spectrum of skin and hair tones found among a Native people: black hair, various shades of brown hair, and blond hair, and dark through pale pink skin tones. If you visit a reservation (or a Powwow) today, you might be tempted to categorize the people you see as “Indian,” “Black,” and “White,” but they are actually ALL Native peoples. I can’t say enough good things about Goodnight.

Sorell was able to make this PB completely relevant to people today, but did it in a way that isn’t overbearing. While the story focused on a young Native girl who wanted to jingle dress dance but couldn’t because she was sick, the author cleverly chose to include a two-page spread at the back of the book, ‘Information About Powwows’. Although the author told readers about various aspects of Powwows, one section was dedicated to the jingle dress dance where readers learned that the dance originated among the Ojibwe during the World War I pandemic as a healing dance. Sorell made sure to tell readers that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, jingle dress dancers uploaded videos of themselves dancing for all of us to heal and get better.

Both the author and the illustrator teamed up to bring readers a beautiful and timely PB that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and reviewing.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

River has been sick, and she has recovered, but not enough to do dancing at the powwow. But she is well enough to go, and so we see the powwow through her eyes, as she describes all she sees, and misses.

Lovely picture book that shows the march and the jingle dresses, and the other dancers, and how they honor River, because of her illness.

And the end of the book goes into the history of the jingle dress, as well as modern day powows. Excellent book to have in any library.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Jennifer Noonan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved a lot of things about this book. The description of the powwow, and the anticipation leading up to it, the vibrant illustrations, the elaboration on all the cultural significances of the day, and the family and community relationships portrayed. However, the unanswered questions about the main character’s illness that keeps her from participating will overshadow it all for a young reader of the intended audience. Concern will be all they can focus on. No doubt, this is a reality of life being portrayed, and if an explanation of that illness was given, they would understand and follow along. But just the vague reference supplied for an illness that has no impact on the actual plot? For this age group, that will leave them unsatisfied, and the beauty of this truly significant and fascinating cultural event will be lost on them.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Identity: possibly Anishinabe/Ojibwe
Identity, author: Cherokee Nation
Identity, illustrator: Chickasaw Nation
Sport: Dance

An illness keeps River from dancing at their tribal powwow, but finds inspiration and healing from her family and friends as they perform the jingle dress dance. Although the illness is never identified by the author, it allows it to be more relatable as many children have experienced disappointment from sickness themselves.

The supplemental information is extremely interesting, especially the origins of the jingle dress healing ceremony during the 1918 flu epidemic and how jingle dress dancers shared videos online during COVID-19 to help heal people worldwide.

[Isaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.

I got an ARC of this book.

I am not Indigenous. My Chickasaw is better than my French, but just barely. So I really can’t express just how incredible it is to see Indigenous faces and culture in a picture book. It is something that I am incredibly excited about, because I like picture books, but imagine an Indigenous kid actually being able to see themself in a book. That is what is more important than what I think about this book.

That being said, here is my opinion of this book: I really liked it, but the art is what made me excited. I was talking to my Chickasaw partner about this book last night. They said that the art was wonderful, because the faces are not just tinted white faces, that they had Indigenous features. That isn’t something I noticed, but I feel like it is more important than anything I noticed. I noticed the colors, I noticed the outfits, I noticed the hair. I noticed things that just felt exciting. Everything felt alive and exciting. I don’t know a great deal about powwows, so the last few pages that explain the different words and the important of the celebration was really appreciated and meant that this could be used to teach kids that aren’t growing up with these celebrations.

I am going to recommend books by name that you should also read if you are looking at this one. There are other Indigenous picture books out there that seem to be a “if you know you know” situation.

47,000 Beads

Ho’onani: Hula Warrior

Little Loksi

C is for Chickasaw

Chikasha Stories (there are multiple volumes, this is the first one)

There are more out there. These are just the ones I have learned about in the last year or so. Please keep looking, please keep talking about these books.

[Daniele Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is delightful from the moment you pick it up to the moment you tuck it back onto it's shelf. The illustrations are vivid and vibrant, capturing the beauty of Native American culture. It would be the perfect addition to a classroom bookshelf to share information about powwows and Native American life with students, especially around Indigenous Peoples Day or during units of study about Native Americans. It is a doorway into the world of Native American culture that so many children never get to learn about or develop an appreciation for.

The main character River is taken to the powwow with her family. She has recently been ill, her hair is cut shorter than the other members of her family. It is never explicitly said why she was sick or what she was sick with, which I appreciated because children struggling with any disease or illness can connect to her character and see themselves in her character. The story touches on her disappointment and how things don't always go the way we want them to. River wants to dance, but isn't able to. I also loved the theme of healing and how River understands that her sister is dancing for her.

There is an informational page at the end explaining some of the terms and history of the powwow and its dances. A wonderful book that all children should have an opportunity to read.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid, captivating. Feels true and hopeful.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching story about a little girl attending a powwow and the sadness she feels as she is not able to participate in all the day's festivities. We are never told exactly why she can't participate but some readers may suspect she was battling cancer or ill with another childhood disease. She has short hair and it is mentioned that she was sick.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeously illustrated book. POWWOW DAY is a beautiful children's book that introduces the reader to the Indigenous Peoples who were the original inhabitants of the land most of us now I've on.

The story centers around a young girl named River who really wanted to dance at the powwow, however she is very sick and is unable to be one of the dancers.

The dual lessons readers learn in this book are both important. One is the importance of learning about cultures that are different and respecting each one.The second lesson is to respect and treat people with respect despite any physical disabilities or limitations.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a story about a kid getting excited for a special event and then participating in a special event. It is a bit that, but it's a lot more. River is very excited for the powwow, but she's recovering from an illness so she can't participate quite the way she wants to. This story is a really lovely, but the art is really the stand out for me. There is so much detail, warmth, and movement in every page. Really inviting. I'm definitely going to seek out more by Madelyn Goodnight!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powwow Day brings us to the sidelines of a local Powwow. The story is told through the eyes of 8 year old River who is recovering from an illness. She is not able to participate and is a bit down because of that, but she wants to see her sister and cousins dance. Her friends and family dress in their Jingle Bell Dresses and dance for her healing in the arena. Watching them, gives her the faith and strength to believe she will dance next year.

This is a great book to teach children about a different culture. Through River's eyes we learn about about powwows and the importance of community to the Native Americans. The illustrations were beautiful. So colourful and emotions showed on their faces. The information in the back of the book is informative and provides readers with insight to the structure and importance of of a powwow and the participants. They share the history of the jingle dress, as well as modern day powwows. I found it interesting that during the pandemic, many jingle dances were shared on-line to help those who were sick. A great book for all libraries (Public, School and Classroom)

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I have rated a picture book five stars. This one is worthy of them in every way.

River is a Native girl, and she has been ill. The text doesn't get specific, but she is recovered enough to attend the powwow, but not to dance at it.

The perspective here is gorgeous, both through the illustrations and through the descriptions of what River sees. There is color everywhere, and the noises and atmosphere come through. There are a range of ages and colors and dances among the people represented.

Just gorgeous.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a member of the Cherokee Nation, Sorell explains that her traditions are not the same as the traditions of the powwow of the Ponca and Omaha tribes (warrior tribes) however having attended them and understanding their power, especially in healing, she wanted to share the story.

This is a fictional account of River, a young girl who is sick and not able to participate. But one of the purposes of a powwow is to help heal the sick using the guided dancing with drums and jingle dresses. The artwork is phenomenal with the images appearing like photos in that some are focused in the foreground and blurred in the background to concentrate the image up front. It focuses on the experience among the people which shines and is enhanced by the story.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this book breaks my heart. Here we have River, who has obviously been going through a tough time with illness. It's so hard to be in that position where you want to do all the things you've always loved to do, but the body just won't cooperate.

This impatience with a slow recovery is so much a part of this story. But it's important to note, this is not the whole story. There's a sense of community, of friendship, of tradition, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself, even if you're not taking direct part.

The historical notes in the back add to this story as well. The history of the Powwow and what it represents is really interesting. I liked learning something more about a cultural event that I haven't had much experience with.

Overall, this book is a win on every level. Deeply resonant, and handled well, this goes on the favorites list.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Sorell tells the tale of young River who has not been well and cannot participate in the Powwow dancing this year, but as the day and all the dances and rituals are done, she realizes that next year will be different and she will be able to join in. The story and the extra information in the back describes the schedule, the rites, and the dances that follow a rigid procedure. Madelyn Goodnight illustrates with gorgeous colorful costumes with people on the sidelines and dancing on nearly every page, all people in their special attire for the Powwow. I enjoyed looking at all the costumes and the facial expressions, too.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Identity: possibly Anishinabe/Ojibwe
Identity, author: Cherokee Nation
Identity, illustrator: Chickasaw Nation

The lingering symptoms of an illness keeps River from dancing at their tribal powwow, but finds inspiration and healing from her family and friends as they perform the jingle dress dance.

The supplemental information is extremely interesting, especially the origins of the jingle dress healing ceremony during the 1918 flu epidemic and how jingle dress dancers shared videos online during COVID-19 to help heal people worldwide.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, and the descriptions of the different types of regalia and the dances are great for little ones. I didn't like the number of times the author pointed out that the little girl was recovering form her mysterious illness and didn't feel strong enough to dance - could have been edited for a better story.

[Cassidy Ringle]

River is unable to dance this year at the powwow but she still attends. She is sad she can't dance like everyone then she sees her sister, cousin, and friends dancing for her. Even though she couldn't dance this time, she is determined to be able to dance next year. I could use this in my class to show the students that you can't always count on friends and family and to never give up.

[Wulf Roby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated and real story about indigenous culture and medicine.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 11-09-2022

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more of than just a book about native traditions. (There is a very well-done non-fictional section in the back of the book.). This book is a story of a little girl and her health.

[Shishuraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

so effin cute

[Citri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. The colors used throughout the story are gorgeous and capture the excitement of the powwow very well. My heart absolutely broke for River with her short hair and wanting to dance but being unable. I cannot believe this book was banned at some libraries like ????? people really hate beautiful stories

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and text! Be sure to read the back matter.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight-year-old River has been dancing at Powwows for a few years, but this year is different. This year, River is unable to compete in the jingle dance because of a serious illness, that has left her weak and with short hair. And even though she's is already tired by the time that get to the Powwow, River wants to dance Grand Entry. Unable to feel the drum beat, River is helped back to her chair. Finally, it's time for the jingle dancers, and as River's friends and cousins dance around the arena, watched by the judges, she knows that they are dancing "for the Creator, the ancestor, their families and everyone's health...." including hers. Finally feeling the drum beat, River knows that she will be well enough to dance at next year's Powwow. Even though this story is focused on River, it introduces young readers to what happens during a Powwow. One of the things celebrated at a Powwow is a strong sense of community and that is what River experiences and realizes how much a part of that she is as she watches everyone dancing. The digital illustrations are colorful and have lovely details to explore and talk about. Back matter includes detailed Information About Powwows, and an Author's Note as well a Sources.

[Abby Neuwirth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell is a wonderful book about a young girl and her experience at a Powwow. I really enjoyed this book's story and incredible art. The detail in each page made the story extremely engaging and fun to read. Adding so much detail made the story feel personal and helped me learn a lot about Powwows. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to include Native American literature into their personal library.