It's powwow time!

A young Indigenous boy prepares for a special day. Morning greets Bineshii as he rises, excited to dance at his first powwow. He gets ready, then heads to the ceremony with his family. Bineshii gathers his courage on the sidelines, tapping his fingers to the beat of the drum as new dance categories are introduced. He participates as a dancer at his own pace. With the support of his loving community, Bineshii discovers the confidence to learn new traditions. The day ends with Bineshii watching fireworks before going back home, proud of his accomplishments. Skillfully incorporating onomatopoeia, Troian (Lac Seul First Nation) brings to life the graceful movement and energy of a dancer. The drumbeat is established by phrases like "THUMP, THUMP, THUMP" and "weh ya heh ya ya." As readers flip through the pages, excitement grows. Pichette's (Mushkego Cree) rich illustrations are vibrant and dynamic with a unique shading technique that conveys action and elicits joy. Readers unfamiliar with powwows will find this a dynamic window into the experience; they'll share Bineshii's pleasure as the book draws to a close. A tale of celebration crafted with lyrical language and rhythmic refrains. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.