Review by Booklist Review
Readers who recognize the traditional regalia in the illustrations at the start of Dance Fast will have a head start with this story. Others would be advised to read the back matter first to learn that the protagonist's name is Bizzy and that the ceremonial dance is part of Pomo tradition. Bizzy is a bit of a perfectionist and does not fare well with the fact that her new dress has a flaw in it or that the stitching on her headpiece is not perfect. Her mother and grandmother try to reassure and redirect her out of her meltdown, but Bizzy is not easily convinced. It is only when Grandma teaches her how it is part of "the Pomo way to leave one little flaw in everything you make" that Bizzy is calmed and her participation in the ceremony is a success. The explanation in the back matter provides the cultural rationale that does not come across in the story. The illustrations are bright and energetic and mirror Bizzy's emotional undulations.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--2--One of the many excitements of growing up Pomo is being able to create one's own regalia to dance in ceremonies. Bizzy is eager to get in on the fun while she prepares for dancing in an upcoming ceremony and admires her peers adorned in their regalia. She begins her quest to gather the necessary supplies. Everything must be perfect, until it's not. With the support of her guardians, she soon realizes that there is beauty in the creation beyond expectations. The many emotions of all the characters are wonderfully encapsulated in the imagery through collage and comic book--style cartoons. Cribbins captures the highs and lows of trying something for the first time, incorporating Pomo values. This book teaches in a safe, digestible story that accidents happen, emotions will rise, but having support can help repair the situation smoother than attempting to fix it with those immediate big feelings. VERDICT Readers can relate to the protagonist as they embark on their own creative endeavors.--Kaitlin Srader
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young Indigenous child faces a bumpy road while preparing for a dance at an upcoming ceremony. Bizzy's cousins already look amazing in their cotton dresses, headpieces, and jewelry; Bizzy's regalia has to be perfect. The child gathers fabric, as well as shells, beads, and rabbit fur, and sits down to the sewing machine with encouragement from Mom and Grandma. Bizzy's confident ("I've sewn pillows before…It'll be easy to do this part myself!") but ultimately hits some snags as the garment gets caught in the machine. Tears in the fabric and crooked stitching mar the little one's project. Bright and cheery digital illustrations show a youngster who's determined to achieve perfection but who unsurprisingly falls short. Speech bubbles and panels make the action easy to follow as Bizzy's family consistently responds with love, encouragement, and solutions. Grandma eventually teaches Bizzy a valuable cultural lesson about imperfection: "It's the Pomo way to leave one little flaw in everything you make." She adds, "And then we dance fast so no one sees where that part is!" Bizzy takes this advice to heart and eagerly looks forward to the ceremony: "Dance fast, dance slow. Dance for Creator, dance for ancestors, dance for me. When I dance, everything is perfect." In her author's note, Cribbins (Pomo) discusses the importance of ceremonial dancing and her people's tradition of leaving flaws in dance regalia as a reminder to "stay humble and strive for quality, not perfection." A vibrantly illustrated life lesson in humility.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
