Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes

In his uneven debut picture book, Kinew, a musician and leader of the New Democratic Party in Manitoba, Canada, spotlights 14 indigenous Americans and Canadians. Rhymed lines introduce each individual (“Net-no-kwa was a woman,/ like most, a true warrior./ Strong and independent, fierce/ as any man before her”), and brief profiles further detail each person’s accomplishments in back matter. Readers may be put off by some lines’ simplistic rhyming and faltering meter (“It might be tough now but you will be something./ Before you leave, my son, I wanna tell you one thing”). But in this glimpse into the lives of several indigenous heroes, Kinew, a member of the Midewin and an honorary witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, underlines the key idea that “we are people who matter./ Yes, it’s true./ Now let’s show the world what people who matter can do.” Mixed-media art by Morse (Play Ball, Jackie!) features a cool palette and crisp, evocative portraits of those showcased and their surroundings. Ages 5–9. [em](Sept.) Clarification: A previous version of this review stated that the profiles vary in order from text to back matter. The published book will align them. [/em]