Josie Dances

by Denise Lajimodiere, Angela Erdrich (Illustrator)

Josie dreams of dancing at next summer's powwow. But first she needs many special things: a dress, a shawl, a cape, leggings, moccasins, and, perhaps most important of all, her spirit name. To gather all these essential pieces, she calls on her mom, her aunty, her kookum, and Grandma Greatwalker. They have the skills to prepare Josie for her powwow debut.

As the months go by, Josie practices her dance steps while Mom stitches, Aunty and Kookum bead, and Grandma Greatwalker dreams Josie's spirit name. Josie is nervous about her performance in the arena and about all the pieces falling into place, but she knows her family is there to support her.

The powwow circle is a welcoming space, and dancers and spectators alike celebrate Josie's first dance. When she receives her name, she knows it’s just right. Wrapped in the love of her community, Josie dances to honor her ancestors.

In this Ojibwe girl's coming-of-age story, Denise Lajimodiere highlights her own daughter's experience at powwow. Elegant artwork by Angela Erdrich features not only Josie and her family but also the animals and seasons and heartbeat of Aki, Mother Earth, and the traditions that link Josie to generations past and yet to come.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Native American, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josie, a young girl who is becoming a jingle dancer for the first time. Will her dress be done in time? From the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In order to dance in the next year's powwow, Josie asks the women in her Ojibwa family - mom, aunty, and Grandma Greatwalker - to help create her regalia. Over the course of the year, they work on her regalia while Josie practices her dance. There are beautiful watercolor illustrations throughout, including the end papers. I read this after reading Ancestor Approved and wanted to know more about jingle dancing. Pair it with Cynthia Leitich Smith's picture book Jingle Dancer.

[Adriana Martinez Figueroa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a neat book about an Ojibwe girl approaching her family and elders about wanting to grow closer to her culture and traiditions! I loved this a lot, actually!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Minnesota Historical Society Press for the eARC!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reeeeeeally wish this had a pronunciation guide included!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute story of a little girl who is getting ready for her first powwow dance. But to dance, she needs to get leggings, moccasins, a shawl, and a spirit name, as well as learn her dance. She seeks the help of her mother, her aunty, her grandmother, and the tribal elder Grandma Greatwalker.

The designs of these things are so beautiful, and made with such love. It is a wonderful book, written by someone within the community, and with designs of the Ojibwe people as well. There is a glossary at the end where you can learn simple words in the language too. And while we learn how to say Yes and No, we also get to learn now to say messy hair "shakaweesh".

The author said she was inspired by her own daughter getting ready to do her first dance.

Thanks to Edelweiss to making this book available for an honest review.

[Emily✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated seeing the Ojibwe community involvement in Josie's first powwow dance, including her mother, aunt, and grandmother's help making her regalia, Grandma Greatwalker dreaming her spirit name, and being welcomed by the other dancers at the powwow.

I also loved the repetition in the pages where the adults all say "Eya, [Josie]" and "Gawiin, [Josie]", each referring to her with the Anishinaabemowin word for her relation to them (daughter, niece, granddaughter). I'd have liked to see that structure come back again in the latter half of the book, perhaps when they present the completed outfit to Josie.

[Austyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I am once again asking that books have pronunciation guides. I love that there were words in Josie's language, but I would not read this to anyone because I know I'm mispronouncing words. I shouldn't have to google to read a children's book. There's a glossary at the back, so it would have been easy to throw in a phonetic pronunciation guide. Also, the illustration style is not to my personal taste.

The story is nice, and I'm always thrilled to see representation in books, especially children's books. This one just wasn't my favorite.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

About patience, practice, community, tradition, and coming of age. The whole family and community helps Josie prepare to dance at the tribal powwow for the first time.

Some of the same preparation to dance with the community ideas as Jingle Dancer, but it's a different nation and culture with different styles of dance and needed preparations.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jopsie is ready to dance at her tribal powwow and asks different women in her family to help with her shawl, moccasins, leggings, and spirit name. As the date gets closer, she worries that everything won't be done in time, but everything works out! A beautiful story that shows all the steps and work that goes into getting ready for a powwow, especially when you are performing in it. I appreciate the illustrator looking at photos of powwow to get all the details and colors right.

[Skylar Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This allows young readers to experience a different culture than what they are experiencing. This can allow young readers to get a look inside at what a powwow is. There is a lot of repetition in this book. Her family supported her during this Powwow. The story talks about how important Josies culture is to her, Josie had faced problems with her outfit though which made her worries she wouldn't be done in time.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady]

Early-Literacy Playbook November 2025
November is...Native American Heritage Month!
Josie Dances by Denise Lajimodiere – Josie is getting ready for her first powwow, with help from her family. Will everything be ready in time? The illustrations in this one are bright and beautiful, with so many things to look at and explore.

Early Literacy Hint: Talk with your child about traditions that your family and community participate in together. How are they similar to Josie’s?

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love this so much. The illustrations are so colorful and capture so many details in the powwow regalia, the expressions of the family members, the style of dance moves, etc. I love that this is a modernized story about a girl attending a pow-wow as we get so many contemporary details (mic checks! Food trucks!) alongside rich cultural traditions.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book about a girl preparing to participate in her first pow-wow. I love the glimpse into this culture and tradition and all the details in the illustrations. A wonderful book to introduce Native American culture!

[Patricia M Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This childrens book about Native American's is a great lesson of the older generation sharing with the younger generations. The story and illastrations is absolutely wonderful. The books should be added to every elementary school library.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! The story is a lovely introduction to a Native American tradition. The main character’s desire to be part of the community is heartfelt. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful.

[Andréa]

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

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely (and beautifully illustrated) coming of age story about Josie, an Ojibwe girl, dancing in her first powwow.

Themes: Dancing, Community, Family
Age range: Kindergarten-Early Elementary

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie works hard to dance well at her local powwow.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of a girl waiting and wondering if she'll be able to dance in her first powwow after her family makes her costume and her name is chosen.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous. Contains Anishinaabemowin words for mother, grandmother, daughter, niece, granddaughter, and more; along with a relatable storyline

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl asks her relatives to help prepare for her powwow debut.

More of a 3.5 -Includes Ojibwa words (glossary in the back) and beautiful illustrations.

[Lisa Huninghake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Josie’s story,especially the way the women in her life surround her. She is equipped for success and the “way of the eagle” works wonders!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl wants her mother and grandmother to make her jingle dress. Similar to Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about a Ojibwe girl learning her shawl dance.

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

gorgeously illustrated and a worthy addition to libraries and classrooms.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The telling is kind of stiff, where you don't really get at the emotions or how you choose whom to ask. Jingle Dancer is probably better for this topic.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book.

[Nancy Bordine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully rendered book shows the loving support of family as Josie wants to participate in family traditions. Lovely, educational, shows the beauty of native culture in art and love.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and a heart-warming story. I absolutely loved this.