Review by Booklist Review
Raven loves being surrounded by beautiful, swaying ribbon skirts at the round dance--so much so that he, too, wants to wear a ribbon skirt. Grandma is less sure, but thinks about all the ribbon skirts she's made, how each one feels just right for the person who will wear it. As Raven sleeps, Grandma sews. At the next round dance, Raven sways to the drums in his very own ribbon skirt. Spillet (Cree and Trinidadian) uses repetition to set the rhythm of the story, from the onomatopoeia of the drums to the phrase, "Round and round they go." Ramirez (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe) blends bright, bold illustrations and neutral backgrounds to highlight the vibrant ribbon skirts. Ramirez's acrylic paint--on-canvas illustrations include a variety of body sizes and ages at the round dance, showcasing an array of Indigenous identities. The illustrations of Raven and Grandma dancing in their ribbon skirts with their community are especially poignant. Back matter includes notes from the author and illustrator, detailing their Native Nations, inspirations, and gratitude for Two-Spirit relatives. Spillet ends her note with a hopeful, heart-filled message, "May we come to know our place in the circle, standing side by side, heart by heart." Join Raven and his grandma and stand heart by heart alongside them as they learn that boys, too, can wear ribbon skirts.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Raven loves round dances. The rhythm of the drums sounds like hearts racing," and when the drums start an infectious beat, he eagerly grabs his grandmother's hand to join in ("BOOM-BOOM. SHUFFLE-SHUFFLE"). The child's "favorite part of the round dance is to watch the ribbon skirts," imagining "he's swirling in a rainbow." When Raven later regards his grandma sewing the skirts, a skill she's known for, he asks, "Nohkum, do you think a boy could wear a ribbon skirt?" Though his grandmother says she's never seen this, she works as Raven sleeps, contemplating "all the ribbon skirts that have passed through her hands," and in the morning invites him to see "what this new day has brought"--a rainbow-hued ribbon skirt, and a message of openness to beauty. Cree author Spillett (I Sang You Down from the Stars) captures the joy of the round dance, and a feeling of belonging and connection offered in intergenerational Indigenous community. Working in acrylic on canvas in his picture book debut, Ramirez, a descendent of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, uses circle and ribbon motifs to underline themes of twined lives dancing in concert. Creators' notes conclude. Ages 4--8. Agent (for author and illustrator): Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. (Jan.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
In this welcome story about an Indigenous child's gender expression, Raven loves joining in the round dance and wishes for a ribbon skirt (usually worn by women). After some thought, his grandmother makes him a rainbow one: "I've lived for a long time, Nosesim, and I'm lucky to see beautiful things that I've never seen before." Acrylic illustrations make creative use of ribbons, often combining them with images of dance and sewing. Author and illustrator notes pay tribute to Indigenous dance and to Two-Spirit people. (c) Copyright 2025. 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 Cree boy longs for a ribbon skirt. At lively round-dance ceremonies, young Raven and his grandmother sidestep to the "BOOM-BOOM" of the drummers. Raven loves watching the dancers as they swirl by in their ribbon skirts--regalia traditionally worn by Native women of many nations, symbolizing cultural pride and sacred resistance. Grandma sews ribbon skirts, each personally crafted for its wearer. When Raven asks her if a boy could wear one, she responds, "I've lived for a long time, Nosesim, and have never seen a boy in a ribbon skirt." The next day, after long hours at her sewing machine, Raven's grandmother presents the child with a skirt of his own. Readers will be moved as Grandma tells Raven, "I've lived for a long time, Nosesim, and I'm lucky to see beautiful things that I've never seen before." Her matter-of-fact dialogue is spare, yet each word is steeped in affection for her grandson. Ramirez (Ojibwe), a Two-Spirit elder, brings Raven's loving community to life through acrylic paintings that evoke a dreamlike warmth. In an author's note, Spillett (Inninewak/Trinidadian) describes her introduction to round dances and Indigenous activism and expresses gratitude to her Two-Spirit relatives. Simple and tender, this picture book honors Native traditions as it makes space for all members of Indigenous communities to take part. Weaves Two-Spirit self-expression and collective belonging into a beautiful tribute to Indigenous heritage. (illustrator's note)(Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
