Celebrating the Picture Book POWWOW DAY
Our 2024 Art Wall installation features story and art from POWWOW DAY, written by Traci Sorell, iIllustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, and published by Charlesbridge.
“A tender and inspiring view of Indigenous traditions and how celebrating them can lead to healing and redemption.” —School Library Journal, starred review
It’s powwow day—but eight-year-old River can’t dance this year. She’s been very sick for a very long time. This picture book follows River as she struggles with the isolation of a serious illness and the frustration of her physical limits—and as she finds solace in the healing power of community. Back matter explains the history and functions of powwows, which are held across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors.
Boyds Mills: Part of POWWOW DAY’s Backstory
From Scholarship to Workshop to Book
In 2017, Traci Sorell received a scholarship to attend the Novels in Verse workshop at Boyds Mills. While attending that workshop, Traci also made some breakthroughs on a picture book manuscript she’d been drafting. (Read more about that journey here.) That book, POWWOW DAY, was published on February 8, 2022. That day also happened to be the day before Traci’s 50th birthday and she gave a generous donation towards funding the Native Creatives Scholarship.
“POWWOW DAY wouldn’t be in the world if I hadn’t gone to where the magic happened in Cabin 7!” —Traci Sorell
Madelyn Goodnight
Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Her work reflects her love of childhood. She holds a degree from Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Brooklyn.
Traci Sorell
Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. Traci is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Traci Sorell’s WebsiteThe Art Wall
Andrea Page (at right) was among the first to see it on campus when it was unveiled in May.
It was the perfect way to start my workshop, inspired by POWWOW DAY, having other Native Creatives take “center stage”- reminding me to persevere.
The Native Creatives Cabin and Scholarship
Traci Sorell’s donation to fund the Native Creatives Scholarship expanded to include establishment of the Native Creatives Cabin at Boyds Mills (now sponsored by Charlesbridge Publishing), and ensures the ongoing funding of the Native Creatives Scholarship. Learn more about the scholarship and the cabin.
