On Powwow Day
Traci Sorell, 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. She 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.
Read more about Traci.
Madelyn Goodnight, illustrator
Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Her work reflects her love of childhood. She holds a degree from Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Brooklyn. She is the illustrator of The Pear Tree and Look, Grandma!/Ni, Elisi!
Read more about Madelyn.
- Coming soon!
School Library Journal, starred review
A colorful counting book engages children to identify the different visual elements that occur on powwow day. From the car that vrooms to the shaking shiny jingle cones, the exciting expressions catch more beyond the eye. The rainbow palette is shown off in organic and youthful design work. Every number from one to ten has a corresponding color, attached to a powwow day element. Readers can identify and count these elements, from the gray feathers on regalia to the bright moccasins. VERDICT This delightful picture book allows Indigenous children to connect with and feel pride in the abundance of powwow participation, and gives all readers a great counting book full of cultural imagery.
Children's Literature
Are you looking for an inclusive and vibrant book centered around Native American culture? Though simplistic, this book is excellent for early childhood students as young as one year old to practice counting to ten. On every page, there are images representative of Native American culture and what is particularly unique about this concept book is that it tells a story while introducing numbers. A family is driving one car to the powwow. When they arrive, they encounter two drumsticks, three family members sit together, the four veterans lead the Grant Entry, five dancers listen to the drum, six shawls twirl and whirl, seven jingle dress dancers are present, eight feet step in their moccasins, nine cones shake and ten tribal citizens enjoy the beautiful celebration. The illustrations are simplistic but quite colorful and would capture the eye of younger children immediately. There is excellent use of onomatopoeia throughout to bring the powwow experience to life. A fabulous book to read throughout the year or to begin a unit on indigenous cultures (particularly at the early childhood level.) A must read.
Board Book
ISBN: 978-1-62354-576-5
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-948-2
Ages: 0–3
Page count: 20
57/8x 57/8