I Am a Bon Dancer

PreS-Gr 3–Sometimes, understanding the “why” of a tradition helps us participate in it. This narrative artfully captures the initial anxiety and ultimate joy of participating in a deep cultural tradition. The story centers on a young Japanese narrator preparing for her first Bon dance festival. The initial excitement quickly fades when she realizes everyone else already knows the complex movements. The narrator tries to move her arms like the others, but feels clumsy, swinging when others sweep and stumbling and falling, wishing to go somewhere far away from the ring of dancers. The relationship and deep meaning of ancestors, both alive and dead, are shown between the connections of the narrator and her grandfather (alive to help her) and her grandmother (dead, but still helping her). Beyond just a good title for talking about different cultural traditions, Uyemura’s debut book would be great in a dance/art program. ­Matsushita-Beal’s ­illustrations depict the vibrancy of the festival setting, highlighting the significance of the dancing circle and the spiritual atmosphere created by the ­lanterns and drums. The visual representation of the dancers moving like a “single wave” further emphasizes the unity and deep connection found within this communal event. This is a truly wonderful selection, blending a relatable story of overcoming initial failure with a meaningful exploration of ancestry and cultural heritage. The text provides valuable background on the Bon festival, its Buddhist origins, and its enduring tradition in Hawaii. ­