Powwow Day

Reach for this book when your child is sidelined by illness or injury and feeling the sting of missing out on a long awaited event. It is a powerful tool for navigating the complex emotions of wanting to participate but needing to rest, especially when a child feels their body has let them down. The story follows River, a young girl recovering from an illness who must watch from the chairs while her family and friends dance at the annual powwow. Through gentle prose and vibrant illustrations, the book explores themes of resilience, communal support, and the quiet strength found in being a witness to one's culture. For children ages 4 to 8, this story provides comfort by validating their sadness while showing that being part of a community is about more than just active performance: it is about belonging. Parents will appreciate the way it models how family members can hold space for a child's disappointment without trying to rush them toward a forced smile.