Raven’s Ribbons

“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.)