Abstract
Reviewed by: Phoenix ani’ Gichichi-i’/Phoenix Gets Greater by Marty Wilson-Trudeau Meg Cornell Marty Wilson-Trudeau, Phoenix ani’ Gichichi-i’/Phoenix Gets Greater; written by Marty Wilson-Trudeau and Phoenix Wilson; illus. by Megan Kyak-Monteith; tr. from the Ojibwe by Kelvin Morrison. Second Story, 2023 [24p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781772603248 $21.95 Reviewed from digital galleys R* 4-7 Years Phoenix loves colorful fabrics, playing with dolls and stuffed animals, and most of all, dancing: spinning around at ballet class, twirling in his grass dance regalia at Pow Wows, or shawl dancing in mom’s fluffy pink blanket at home. He makes friends who share his interests, but the boys at school bully Phoenix for not liking hockey and trucks. While his mom and brother have always been supportive, Phoenix approaches his family, in tears, about the deeper differences he’s come to understand between himself and the other boys. Coming out as gay, he fearfully hopes they won’t stop loving him, but his mother and brother instead envelop Phoenix in a hug: “We’ll never stop loving you,” Phoenix’s mom reassures, “We love exactly who you are, and for that, you make us happy.” Phoenix’s mom tells him about the respected role of Niizh Manidoowag, Two Spirit people, in Anishinaabe communities, and that embracing his authentic self is actually quite special. Phoenix’s eventual joy and effervescent pride in being Two Spirit, in loving to dance [End Page 344] grass and shawl, is brought to the fore by the little moments of reiterative family acceptance in the book for both Phoenix’s sexuality and his gender expression. High-contrast, painterly illustrations bring the reader into Phoenix’s world, ruled by color and movement. When Phoenix struggles, his movements are restricted, and so the color palette remains to neutral; when he can authentically be himself, a riotous pink-purple sunset sky warms over whirling, energetic limbs. Readers will be drawn to this celebration of Indigenous identity, queerness, and family, so don’t be surprised to find Phoenix twirling next onto your bookshelf. This edition provides Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe primary text along with a vertical mirroring English translation. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
Published Version
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