Simonie and the Dance Contest

by Gail Matthews, Ali Hinch (Illustrator)

Simonie loves to dance! When he sees a sign for Taloyoak’s annual Christmas Jigging Dance Contest, he can’t wait to enter. But practising is hard work, and Simonie starts to worry that he won’t do a good job in front of all his friends and neighbours. Luckily, with a little advice from his anaana and ataata, and some help from his friends Dana and David, Simonie learns how to listen to the music and dance the way it makes him feel. When the time comes for the contest, he’s ready to dance his very best. Based on the annual Christmas dance contest in the community of Taloyoak, Nunavut, this heartwarming picture book shows how a lot of hard work—and a little inspiration—can go a long way.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Canada

37 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2019

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simonie loved reading and he loved dancing. When he saw an announcement for the annual Christmas Jigging Dance Contest, the young Inuit boy was excited to participate, practicing with his friends Dana and David. But then he began to worry that he wouldn't do a good job on the night of the contest itself. Fortunately, his anaana and ataata (mother and father) were there to reassure him, and to guide him in the right way: to feel the music, and dance accordingly...

As someone who looks for new Christmas stories every holiday season, and who also greatly admires the entire children's catalogue of Inhabit Media, an Inuit-owned publisher based in Nunavut, whose titles feature Inuit lore and culture, I was quite excited to find Simonie and the Dance Contest at my public library this past weekend. The story is sweet and heartwarming, featuring one of the ways that one Inuit community celebrates Christmas, and highlighting the idea that enjoyment and feeling are the important parts of dance, especially community dance. The artwork is cute, although a little too cartoon-like for my taste. Recommended to anyone seeking Christmas stories with an Inuit background, or children's tales about dancing and performance.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked this story about determination and learning to feel the music deep inside, it seemed that the illustrations of Simonie show a boy much older than someone who might go around reading everything he saw out loud or practicing reading syllables everywhere he went. Nevertheless, he sees a notice for a community dance contest, and decides to enter it. After all, he likes dancing and moving around. He enlists the help of his father and various friends, and keeps getting better. But despite his hard work, he just can't seem to feel the music and let it move him as his father and another dancer have suggested. Eventually, though, that connection happens for him, and he and Dana, his dancing partner, have a successful performance in front of a large crowd. This picture book encourages youngsters not to give up on their dreams even when they seem hard or out of reach and to dance, dance, dance. The story is based on the yearly dance contest held at Christmas in Taloyoak, Nunavuk.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a Native family and one boys love of reading and dancing. While perhaps more culture could have been brought in, the story is about trying, practicing and learning about listening to the music. Is set at Christmas and is a traditional Christmas feeling story. It is richly illustrated and overall a fun story.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Stacey Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern-day book from Taloyoak, Nunavut, Canada that all kids can appreciate about working hard for something you love. The main character is a boy that wants to win a dance contest.