ALA Booklist (Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

In his first book, Kinew, a musician and political leader in Canada, introduces a variety of American and Canadian Indigenous men and women who made their mark and opened pathways for others to follow. Some, like Jim Thorpe and Crazy Horse, are well-known. Other names are less familiar, but their accomplishments are notable. Dr. Susan Laflesche Picotte lived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and was one of the first Indigenous physicians at a time when being a female doctor was uncommon. Beatrice Culleton Mosionier is a contemporary author who wrote about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Kinew uses his musical background to write about his subjects in short rhymes meant to have the feel of rap. Morse, meanwhile, provides bold paintings that feature portraits set against backgrounds that add information. In fact, readers will need the short biographies at the book's end to realize the impact of many of the subjects. The book's message, repeated throughout, still resonates: "We are people who matter. Yes, it's true. Now let's show the world what people who matter can do."

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Inspired by K'naan's song "Take a Minute," this text, written as a rap song, sometimes sacrifices content in striving for rhyme. Nevertheless, the right audience will appreciate Indigenous politician/singer Kinew's spotlight on real American and Canadian Indigenous people. The bold art gives context to the fourteen featured men and women, about whom more detailed biographical information is included at book's end.

Kirkus Reviews

Kinew uses lyrical language to pay tribute to Indigenous heroes and leaders of North America.In his picture-book debut, Canadian politician and musician Kinew (Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation) aims to uplift and inspire youth, especially Indigenous youth. Readers learn about historical figures such as Sac and Fox athlete Jim Thorpe, Omaha doctor Susan LaFlesche Picotte, and Mohawk Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller, who was wounded by a soldier during the Oka crisis. Touching on topics of Creation, Indian boarding schools, and the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline movement, this book has a broad reach. Though the lines in verse are occasionally awkward, Kinew packs a great deal of power into just a few words: "We are people who matter. / Yes, it's true. / Now let's show the world what people who matter can do." That being said, the spread honoring Sacagawea unquestioningly portrays her as a willing agent in American imperialism, which it celebrates by implication: "Under starry nights west Sacagawea led / Lewis and Clark, so America could spread. / Plus she healed them when they were almost dead. / The men got the credit, but should she have instead?" Morse's watercolor, digital color, and collage illustrations are masterful. Long limbs and necks, powerful hands, and photorealistic details are characteristic of his style. Most figures are either facing readers or moving towards the right, creating a flow that suggests looking forward to a bright and hopeful future. A little rough but ultimately a beautiful celebration of Indigenous excellence. (author's note, biographies) (Informational picture book. 5-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

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-). And the profiles- order, which varies from the text-s, may frustrate those flipping back and forth for more information. 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. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 1-3 With sweeping portrait-style illustrations, this picture book poem introduces a wide range of historical and contemporary Indigenous figures. Kinew, a Canadian Ojibwa songwriter and politician, explains in an author's note that he wanted to write a book to let Native children know their worth and potential. The text has the feel of a song, with a repeated refrain of "You're a person who matters/Yes, it's true./Now go show the world what a person who matters can do." Kinew profiles his subjects briefly, and Morse's watercolor, digital, and collage illustrations provide contextual support, each realistic portrait depicting the subject in action within a specific setting. Many of the individuals highlighted will be more familiar to Canadian than to U.S. audiences, and most readers will need to refer to the appendix for more substantial biographical information. Morse's paintings are striking and full of movement. However, he depicts a wide range of historical periods, geographic locations, and Indigenous cultures that are not described; Morse doesn't provide sources for the traditional dress, symbols, and ceremonial objects seen in many of his paintings, nor are the tribes explicitly named. VERDICT A stirring, if uneven, lyric tribute to Indigenous heroes past and present. Medium to large collections may want to consider. Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN