This story sparkles as powerfully as the Anishinaabe beadworking tradition it pays tribute to.
A young Anishinaabe girl learns about traditional beading and First Nations history.
When Maggie visits Granny in the city, the two decide to create a pair of beaded strawberry earrings together. Patiently, Granny shepherds Maggie through the intricate process: waxing the threads, threading the needles, laying beads, and stitching them on stiff fabric. Her guidance doesn’t end there: When Maggie pricks her finger and loses confidence, Granny encourages her to persevere and practice. As their strawberries come to life with glittering beads, Granny describes the lessons that strawberries, or heart berries, have to offer: the idea of interconnection and the importance of caring for self and others even in adversity. With the same care with which Maggie and Granny bead their earrings, Dupuis (Nipissing First Nation) deftly weaves important elements of Indigenous history into this gentle story—specifically, how the Indian Act, passed in Canada in 1876, stripped women of their First Nations status if they married non-Indigenous men. By emphasizing the struggles of First Nations women to regain their status (a fight still being waged today for some), Dupuis contextualizes the tradition of Native beadworking as both a cultural pillar and an act of political resilience. With warmth and affection, Campbell’s painterly images highlight Maggie and Granny’s tender bond. A moving author’s note details Dupuis’ own family’s experience under the Indian Act. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This story sparkles as powerfully as the Anishinaabe beadworking tradition it pays tribute to. (Picture book. 5-11)Pub Date: May 9, 2023
ISBN: 9781774920558
Page Count: 48
Publisher: HighWater Press
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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