Review by Booklist Review
As the title suggests, there's often history behind tradition. Here, readers are invited to share in the story of the Jingle Dress dance of the Anishinaabe people through this gentle, touching narrative. Two cousins are in the throes of preparation. Their dresses, one traditional, one contemporary, require some repair and organization, and everyone in the family is involved. Missing pieces must be replaced, buckles and cones must be polished, hair braided, makeup applied, steps practiced, tummy butterflies quelled. There's fun with friends at the powwow before the dance begins. When it is time to dance, the girls are reminded to keep the reason in mind: to honor those who can't. The subtlety of the text is beautifully complemented with watercolor illustrations that depict a close, strong, intergenerational community steeped in the importance of valuing tradition even while tradition evolves with time. The author's and illustrator's notes describe the history and significance of the Jingle Dress dance with some historical and contemporary context. Why We Dance should be part of all readers' repertoires.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
A young girl and her family eagerly prepare for and take part in the Jingle Dress dance, an Anishinaabe tradition established during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. Havrelock's (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) straightforward text incorporates vivid sensory imagery ("buckles shine, beads glimmer"; "Mom's warm fingers slide through my hair") and realistic details ("Everyone gets a big shot of hair spray!"), and evokes both the contemporary and the traditional while capturing the narrator's excitement. McKnight's (Shoshone-Bannock) colorful watercolor and graphite illustrations focus on the family and the regalia, and include such details as the different colors of black in a girl's braids; the variety of Indigenous people's hair colors and textures; the jingles on dresses that sway so convincingly you can almost hear them; and a red handprint covering the mouth of a woman watching the dance, signifying her solidarity with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. Back matter gives more information about this century-old ritual of healing and thanks, including its significance in the wake of COVID-19 with its devastating effect on Native communities. A moving portrayal of how Jingle Dress dancers "dance for those who can't." Lara K. AaseMarch/April 2024 p.67 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Native child takes part in the Jingle Dress dance. Preparing for a powwow is a family affair: Regalia is mended, hair is braided, and bannock sandwiches are packed for lunch in anticipation of breaking the fast. In this spirited ode to Jingle Dress dancing, Havrelock (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) follows one girl's journey as she takes part in this Anishinaabe ceremonial dance with her community. Evocative watercolors by McKnight (Shoshone-Bannock) bring these healing, ceremonial garments to life, from their rainbow of colors to the tin cones that produce the iconic "TINK-TINK-TINK-TINK" sounds of the dance. Helpful backmatter notes that though there are many stories about the origins of the Jingle Dress dance, all of them describe it as a response to the influenza pandemic of 1918-19 that "resulted in the healing of a sick child." Indeed, the young narrator states that "we dance for those who can't." With its moving illustrations, this reverent celebration of an important Indigenous ritual stands out. Young readers will be drawn in by the mesmerizing art and the narrator's courage to dance despite all "the butterflies in my stomach." Several performers and spectators have visible disabilities. A powerful story that will have hearts beating in time with the pounding drums and dancers' bounce-steps. (author's and artist's notes, about the Jingle Dress dance) (Picture book. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
