Weaves Two-Spirit self-expression and collective belonging into a beautiful tribute to Indigenous heritage.
A Cree boy longs for a ribbon skirt.
At lively round-dance ceremonies, young Raven and his grandmother sidestep to the “BOOM-BOOM” of the drummers. Raven loves watching the dancers as they swirl by in their ribbon skirts—regalia traditionally worn by Native women of many nations, symbolizing cultural pride and sacred resistance. Grandma sews ribbon skirts, each personally crafted for its wearer. When Raven asks her if a boy could wear one, she responds, “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and have never seen a boy in a ribbon skirt.” The next day, after long hours at her sewing machine, Raven’s grandmother presents the child with a skirt of his own. Readers will be moved as Grandma tells Raven, “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and I’m lucky to see beautiful things that I’ve never seen before.” Her matter-of-fact dialogue is spare, yet each word is steeped in affection for her grandson. Ramirez (Ojibwe), a Two-Spirit elder, brings Raven’s loving community to life through acrylic paintings that evoke a dreamlike warmth. In an author’s note, Spillett (Inninewak/Trinidadian) describes her introduction to round dances and Indigenous activism and expresses gratitude to her Two-Spirit relatives. Simple and tender, this picture book honors Native traditions as it makes space for all members of Indigenous communities to take part.
Weaves Two-Spirit self-expression and collective belonging into a beautiful tribute to Indigenous heritage. (illustrator’s note) (Picture book. 4-9)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9780316422161
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
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