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47,000 Beads
Peyton loves to dance, and especially at pow wow, but her Auntie notices that she's been dancing less and less. When Peyton shares that she just can't be comfortable wearing a dress anymore, Auntie Eyota asks some friends for help to get Peyton what she needs.
28 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 18, 2017
This book is beautiful. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is much-needed. (I'm white, so I can't speak to the representation of two-spirit people, but the author is a two-spirit Lakota person.) The main character, Peyton, is struggling, because she feels like she doesn't fit the gender expectations of her. Her family, recognizing this struggle, all come together to prepare a gift to show Peyton that they accept her and teach her about what being two-spirit means. Highly recommended, especially for school libraries.
November 29, 2019
https://raisethemrighteous.com/2019/1...
47,000 Beads (2017), written by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha and illustrated by Holly McGillis, is a Flamingo Rampant publication about a child named Peyton who does not want to participate in her community pow wows because she isn’t comfortable wearing a dress. Her Auntie Eyota acknowledges Peyton’s feelings and works with family and community to help Peyton connect with her cultural traditions while creating an identity she is comfortable claiming.
Eyota meets with her friend L who is referred to by the “they” pronoun. Eyota explains that she thinks Peyton is Two-Spirit. A helpful glossary at the back of the book defines Two-Spirit as:
“A newer English word used as a rough translation for older words in the languages of many Tribes and Nations. Two-Spirit describes someone whom non-indigenous people might call gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and gender-independent/nonbinary. The word Two-Spirit only describes Native/Indigenous/First Nations people and should not be used for others.”
Eyota enlists L to help guide Peyton down the right path, and asks them to help her get regalia for Peyton. The two work together to sketch the perfect regalia and then Eyota calls family and friends to help create it.
Peyton does look forward to the next pow wow, although she doesn’t want to dance in her current regalia. She particularly enjoys the giveaway and potluck. Peyton considers what she will give away at the pow wow and decides on an abalone shell.
At the pow wow Peyton’s Auntie Eyota introduces her to L who will teach her stories about “people from all nations who carry two spirits inside of them.” Eyota also surprises Peyton with several gift, the new regalia she slowly opens as she sits framed by her mother and Auntie Eyota.
The next day, Peyton wears her new regalia and dances “not as a boy or as a girl, but as Peyton in her 47,000 beads.”
This is one of only a couple of books I’ve identified that explores queer Indigenous culture. The other, Jesse Unaapik and Kerry McCluskey’s Families, was published in 2017.
47,000 Beads is a lovely story about community that can serve as a mirror for Indigenous readers and a window for non-indigenous readers who will be introduced to several aspects of Indigenous cultural tradition.
This review is part of my “Snapshots of LGBTQ Kid Lit” project. I’m working on a book, The New Queer Children’s Literature: Exploring the Principles and Politics of LGBTQ* Children’s Picture Books, which is under contract with the University Press of Mississippi. Part of my research is identifying and interpreting English-language children’s picture books with LGBTQ* content published in the US and Canada between 1979 and 2019. Follow my blog to follow my journey!
47,000 Beads (2017), written by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha and illustrated by Holly McGillis, is a Flamingo Rampant publication about a child named Peyton who does not want to participate in her community pow wows because she isn’t comfortable wearing a dress. Her Auntie Eyota acknowledges Peyton’s feelings and works with family and community to help Peyton connect with her cultural traditions while creating an identity she is comfortable claiming.
Eyota meets with her friend L who is referred to by the “they” pronoun. Eyota explains that she thinks Peyton is Two-Spirit. A helpful glossary at the back of the book defines Two-Spirit as:
“A newer English word used as a rough translation for older words in the languages of many Tribes and Nations. Two-Spirit describes someone whom non-indigenous people might call gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and gender-independent/nonbinary. The word Two-Spirit only describes Native/Indigenous/First Nations people and should not be used for others.”
Eyota enlists L to help guide Peyton down the right path, and asks them to help her get regalia for Peyton. The two work together to sketch the perfect regalia and then Eyota calls family and friends to help create it.
Peyton does look forward to the next pow wow, although she doesn’t want to dance in her current regalia. She particularly enjoys the giveaway and potluck. Peyton considers what she will give away at the pow wow and decides on an abalone shell.
At the pow wow Peyton’s Auntie Eyota introduces her to L who will teach her stories about “people from all nations who carry two spirits inside of them.” Eyota also surprises Peyton with several gift, the new regalia she slowly opens as she sits framed by her mother and Auntie Eyota.
The next day, Peyton wears her new regalia and dances “not as a boy or as a girl, but as Peyton in her 47,000 beads.”
This is one of only a couple of books I’ve identified that explores queer Indigenous culture. The other, Jesse Unaapik and Kerry McCluskey’s Families, was published in 2017.
47,000 Beads is a lovely story about community that can serve as a mirror for Indigenous readers and a window for non-indigenous readers who will be introduced to several aspects of Indigenous cultural tradition.
This review is part of my “Snapshots of LGBTQ Kid Lit” project. I’m working on a book, The New Queer Children’s Literature: Exploring the Principles and Politics of LGBTQ* Children’s Picture Books, which is under contract with the University Press of Mississippi. Part of my research is identifying and interpreting English-language children’s picture books with LGBTQ* content published in the US and Canada between 1979 and 2019. Follow my blog to follow my journey!
July 22, 2022
Thanks to Nico for this. An amazing, beautifully told story of a community coming together to show love and acceptance to a child.
April 25, 2024
A Native American girl, Peyton, tells her auntie she doesn’t want to do the jingle dance or wear a dress. And there are no regalias for “kids like me.” Her Auntie then goes to a person who identifies as a they/them for help. The Auntie then says, “I think her path is two spirit.” In the back of the book there is a glossary defining two spirit as an indigenous person who identifies as gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or non binary.
This should not be a children’s book. Children do not need this propaganda pushed on them before they even reach puberty or before their brain fully develops. Feel free to make whatever decision you want about your sexuality as an adult, but as a child you should not have your Auntie telling you your a lesbian, gay, nonbinary, etc. because you don’t want to wear a dress.
This should not be a children’s book. Children do not need this propaganda pushed on them before they even reach puberty or before their brain fully develops. Feel free to make whatever decision you want about your sexuality as an adult, but as a child you should not have your Auntie telling you your a lesbian, gay, nonbinary, etc. because you don’t want to wear a dress.
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December 21, 2017I wanted to like this book more than I did.
A Native American kid loves to dance doesn't want to wear girls'/women's regalia anymore.
She doesn't necessarily want different pronouns -- which is totally valid, but which can make the story feel a little confusing ... with the grandmother talking about her as likely having a Two-Spirit path but still using "she" pronouns for her.
A Native American kid loves to dance doesn't want to wear girls'/women's regalia anymore.
She doesn't necessarily want different pronouns -- which is totally valid, but which can make the story feel a little confusing ... with the grandmother talking about her as likely having a Two-Spirit path but still using "she" pronouns for her.
December 29, 2024
This is so nice and not what I was expecting! The title doesn't tell you anything. This book is about a Lakota child, Peyton, who is Two Spirit and longs to dance but doesn't care for the traditional female regalia. With the help of her auntie and another elder who is Two Spirit, auntie finds just the thing to cheer up her niece and get the child to join in the dancing. This story is important because the situation has to be explained to Peyton's mother who asks if she should be worried. Eyota and Grandparent L reassure Mika that they will get Peyton a ribbon shirt and pants to match so Peyton can finally get out in the arena where she's meant to be. It also states there are people from all nations who are Two Spirit. Eyota herself is a trailblazer becoming a pow wow drummer, a traditionally male job.
Backmatter includes a glossary. A note from the publisher, "Flamingo Rampant is producing feminist, racially-diverse, LGBTQ positive children’s books, in an effort to bring visibility and positivity to the reading landscape of children everywhere. We make books kids love that love them right back, bedtime stories for beautiful dreams, and books that make kids of all kinds say with pride: that kid’s just like me!"
The illustrations are realistic enough and depict a lot of different regalia, some I have seen, some I have not. They also depict how the Lakota Two Spirit people choose to present themselves. One illustration shows a woman holding a rainbow American flag.
Backmatter includes a glossary. A note from the publisher, "Flamingo Rampant is producing feminist, racially-diverse, LGBTQ positive children’s books, in an effort to bring visibility and positivity to the reading landscape of children everywhere. We make books kids love that love them right back, bedtime stories for beautiful dreams, and books that make kids of all kinds say with pride: that kid’s just like me!"
The illustrations are realistic enough and depict a lot of different regalia, some I have seen, some I have not. They also depict how the Lakota Two Spirit people choose to present themselves. One illustration shows a woman holding a rainbow American flag.
December 4, 2021
The book, 47,000 Beads was awarded as one of the "Pride 2021 Books of the Year". It is written by Koja Adeyoha. It was published in Canada in 2017. This is a story that has a very rich cultural story about a young child who is Native, indigenous and of the First Nations community. In her cultural, she's considered "two-spirit". The term "two-spirit" isn't defined explicitly in the story, however, it is defined in the first page of the glossary. "Two-spirit" refers to someone who identifies as gay, lesbian, or is gender-independent. Within the story there are beautiful cultural celebrations and teachings with plot being that Peyton (the main character who is "two-spirit") is exploring her identity and having strong feelings of not identifying wholly with being female. It's fascinating how her family rally around her and embraces her exploration. I enjoyed reading this book on many levels!
May 6, 2023
Thank you, dear Koja and Angela, for this amazing gift. Your book is so beautiful. I found it comforting and encouraging. It is a lovely look into your Indeginous culture while also being relatable for others looking in.
As a parent of a nonbinary kiddo, I was touched deeply by Grandmother's inclusion of the community in guiding Peyton. She knew that Peyton didn't need solving or fixing, that finding the right people and regalia would give Peyton the foundation to be herself. I felt seen reading this. Validated in my own quest to support my child instead of 'handling' them. Asking for help in a world of so very many opinions can be daunting. But seeing Grandmother navigate through her support network to find the right people to include encouraged me to stay on the path of kindness and support. This book is going on my gift list for so many families that I know and love.
As a parent of a nonbinary kiddo, I was touched deeply by Grandmother's inclusion of the community in guiding Peyton. She knew that Peyton didn't need solving or fixing, that finding the right people and regalia would give Peyton the foundation to be herself. I felt seen reading this. Validated in my own quest to support my child instead of 'handling' them. Asking for help in a world of so very many opinions can be daunting. But seeing Grandmother navigate through her support network to find the right people to include encouraged me to stay on the path of kindness and support. This book is going on my gift list for so many families that I know and love.
September 6, 2022
A lovely story about a family coming together to make something special for a two-spirit child in their community who wants to dance but doesn't want to wear a jingle dress. The authors are Indigenous and one is queer and the other is two-spirit, but I had to look them up to find that out. I wish it had been included in the book, because that is one way we tell people to check to see if the book they are reading is authentic. Aside from that, lovely content. Loved the elder who used they/them pronouns. Despite having a lot of inclusive elements the story wasn't preachy, just treated everything as regular. A nice addition to Indigenous booklists and queer/trans booklists for young children.
November 11, 2022
Peyton's aunt queries about why he does not participate in the cultural jingle dance. When Peyton reveals that she would rather have regalia like her brother, Aunt Eyota goes to her community members ~~ grandmother, Aunt, cousins in Montana ~~ to gather the regalia items that include intricate beadwork and leather slippers, that Peyton will wear at the pow wow.
'Always give something away at the pow wow,' her grandmother had told her. And in the end Peyton dances, not as a girl or a boy, but as a dancer in her 47,000 beads.
'Always give something away at the pow wow,' her grandmother had told her. And in the end Peyton dances, not as a girl or a boy, but as a dancer in her 47,000 beads.
April 17, 2019
Wow, this is really something. Peyton's Aunt can see that Peyton longs to dance at the pow wow. Some gentle questioning elicits Peyton's inability to be comfortable in a girl dancer's regalia. So Auntie reaches out to an extended network to both find a two-spirit teacher to help Peyton discover her path and to design a regalia specific to Peyton.
May 15, 2022
We read this at the perfect time - the girls had a presentation on Turtle Island at school last week, so we’re familiar with regalia and powwows. We discussed how two spirit is similar to and different from Nonbinary.
July 23, 2023
Full disclosure, I’m not Indigenous. I do, however, really respect Indigenous people and their communities and love having the chance to read and learn more about them.
This book was very beautiful and well written. It really showed what it means to support 2SLGBTQ youth, plain and simple.
This book was very beautiful and well written. It really showed what it means to support 2SLGBTQ youth, plain and simple.
June 29, 2025
Lovely themes, important representation, OwnVoices, includes back matter. I, personally, am not too sure about the art re' the people (the regalia is drawn beautifully though). Recommended for all libraries and families.
September 29, 2019
This book has a powerful message about those individuals who are two-spirited. A great addition to a social justice-minded classroom library
April 26, 2021
Incredible book! Loved it so much I just bought two copies from the publisher, FlamingoRampant.
June 20, 2021
Lovely, simple story about a family embracing a child’s differences, and helping them express their spirit.
February 21, 2022
I plan to get this book for my future classroom as a way to build up representation of two-spirit identities.
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August 15, 2022Queer content: 2S
September 22, 2022
A must read 💗
February 16, 2023
I read this for the BPL’s Winter Reading Challenge 2023 for the Americas.
April 7, 2023
I thought this was a really sweet and affirming book!
November 16, 2023
Great model for grown-ups on how they can support the gender-expansive youth in their families and communities. I wonder why 47,000 beads?
January 14, 2024
Beautiful story of a young person discovering herself in the midst of the support and love of her community.
November 15, 2025
4.5 stars
The message of this book is absolutely beautiful.
Minor issues with timeline stops this from being a 5 *. I just need one or two more sentences for things to make sense!
The message of this book is absolutely beautiful.
Minor issues with timeline stops this from being a 5 *. I just need one or two more sentences for things to make sense!
March 19, 2026
Beautiful imagery and a very compelling story! I learned a lot, even from a short book.
June 8, 2023
I really, really loved this book. It talked about gender identity issues and native culture in a way that I believe many kids will understand. It was extremely powerful and shows children that it is okay to be who you really are, and if somebody loves you, it won't change how they see you.
August 1, 2025
Love this and wish it got more attention.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews