REVIEWS
Quite simply, Go Show the World, written by Wab Kinew and illustrated by Joe Morse, be- longs in every elementary school library or collection of mentor texts. Inspired by Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters, by Barack Obama, and K’naan’s song, “Take a Minute,” the author has written a powerful picture book providing brief descriptions of the accomplishments of a wide range of Indigenous North Americans. Half the sub- jects are women. The text is written as a rap song with alter-
GO SHOW THE WORLD Wab Kinew, illustrated by Joe Morse Tundra, 2018 40 pages, $21.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Teri Thayer
nating verse and chorus. Each verse describes the achievements of a Canadian or American Indigenous person. Some are historical: Sa- cagawea, who was a guide for Lewis and Clarke on their journey to the Pacific Ocean; Francis Pegahmagabow, a highly-decorated Canadian sniper from World War I; and Te-Wau-Zee, a survivor of the Trail of Tears. Others are mod- ern day heroes and leaders: John Herrington, an American astronaut; Carey Price, an NHL goalie; and Beatrice Culleton Mosionier, a Métis author. There is a brief biography of each subject at the end of the book.
JULIÁN IS A MERMAID Written and illustrated by Jessica Love Candlewick Press, 2018 40 pages, $22.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Jean Donahue
Julián is a Mermaid tells the story of a young boy who would love nothing more than to be a mermaid. While riding the subway with his abuela he sees some women with long, flowing hair dressed in shimmering, mermaid gowns and all he can do is imagine transforming into a mermaid. At home, Julián does just that, using a fern and some flowers to create long, beautiful hair and a curtain tied around his waist as a mermaid tail. Julián fears his abuela will be angry when she sees what he has done, but instead she offers Julián a beaded necklace to complete his transformation. She then takes Julián by the hand and brings him out to join a parade where all the participants are dressed as mermaids, “Like you, mijo.” Julián is a Mermaid is a beautiful story of
love and acceptance. Julián’s confidence is only temporarily shaken when his grandmother sees his transformation, but he holds his head high again when she shows him that he is loved no matter who he is, whether it be her grand- son Julián or the mermaid he has become. Julián is a Mermaid is told primarily through the illustrations. While there is very
The book could be used for many purposes
at different levels, but would be a particularly rich text for junior and intermediate students. Students of every background would benefit from learning about the rich contributions made by Indigenous doctors, soldiers, athletes and activists. And all students would benefit from the message of perseverance and over- coming hardship. In terms of curriculum, the book provides many opportunities for writ- ing and further reading. One thing this book would benefit from is
a page dedicated to the author. Wab Kinew is a musician, journalist, leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party, author and vice presi- dent of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Manitoba. He is clearly living the message, “Go Show the World.”
Teri Thayer is a member of the Limestone Teacher Local.
little text, the rich, yet simple illustrations con- vey so much of the characters’ inner thoughts and emotions. The reader can see Julián’s pride when he becomes a mermaid and can see also see his doubts when his abuela first discovers what he’s done. Love’s ability to show these emotions in her illustrations means this story will not be lost on pre-readers who are relying solely on pictures to follow a story. The sim- plicity of the illustrations makes Julián and his transformation into a mermaid the primary focus without a lot of background noise to di- vert the reader’s attention. Julián is a Mermaid shows children that
self-love and acceptance are just as important as the love and acceptance of others and that we should never fear being who we really be- lieve we are.
Jean Donahue is a member of the Toronto Catholic Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) Local.
46 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2019
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