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"ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance" is a lovely book spotlighting an important aspect of Native American culture.
"ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance" is a heartwarming children's book about a young girl who is eager to learn the art of Pow Wow dancing. Following in the footsteps of her cousin Kika, Asha begins her journey toward mastering the Fancy Shawl dance. With the guidance of her wise Gramma and the support of her loving family, Asha learns that through hard work and practice, anything is possible. Along the way, she faces challenges and setbacks, but with determination and the help of her family, she discovers the true magic of dancing. With vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, "ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance" invites young readers to join in the joy and excitement of traditional Indigenous dancing. This book is perfect for children ages 3-8 and families who want to share in the celebration of Indigenous traditions and culture.
The story opens, showcasing Asha's cousin Kika dancing at the Pow Wow in her beautiful regalia. The clothing represents community traditions and personal tastes. Gramma taught Kika how to dance to the drum song, and now it's Asha's turn to learn the heritage dance.
Gramma warned Asha that the dance takes practice, and Asha learned Gramma was telling the truth. We all react to failure in our own way, but it's not uncommon for failed attempts to lead to tears, as in the case of Asha's unsuccessful attempts to maintain her balance.
When Asha lay on the ground, she remembered an important life lesson from her Gramma, "When learning something new, it will take time and practice to get all the movements right." In life, children must learn that success sometimes takes time to come. They must often put in time and practice to master a skill. Pick yourself up and try again when you fail, as Asha did in ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance.
This story teaches children not to fear asking for help when hurt or something is broken. Family is there to provide comfort, love, guidance, and support!
ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance is a lovely book spotlighting an important aspect of Native American culture. The illustrations, most importantly, the clothing, was spectacular. While the story was sensational, it didn't match the synopsis 100%. The summary stated Asha has autism, which I found no reference in during the story. I would edit the summary to fit the contents of the story.
ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance references "bannock," which I've never eaten. Lucky for readers, a recipe for "Poppa John's Bannock" is included in the book. Baking with youngsters is fun, so I encourage you to read the book and then begin baking!
I agree with Amazon's recommended reading age: 3 - 8 years.
Review submitted on May 1st.
Update: After reading my review, the author has revised their synopsis. I have updated my score to reflect the change.
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Synopsis
"ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance" is a heartwarming children's book about a young girl who is eager to learn the art of Pow Wow dancing. Following in the footsteps of her cousin Kika, Asha begins her journey toward mastering the Fancy Shawl dance. With the guidance of her wise Gramma and the support of her loving family, Asha learns that through hard work and practice, anything is possible. Along the way, she faces challenges and setbacks, but with determination and the help of her family, she discovers the true magic of dancing. With vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, "ASHA My First Pow Wow Dance" invites young readers to join in the joy and excitement of traditional Indigenous dancing. This book is perfect for children ages 3-8 and families who want to share in the celebration of Indigenous traditions and culture.
About the author
Jocelyn L Mackenzie resides in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. Her work is a celebration of family, community, and connection to culture. She believes sharing stories enables future generations to embrace all cultures. view profile
Published on April 23, 2023
Published by
0-1000 words
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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