Dancing the Ring Shout!

Publishers Weekly

Siegelson's (In the Time of the Drum) lyrical, effectively repetitious story centers on an African-American boy in the rural south who is finally old enough to participate in the "ring shout" song and dance ritual marking the end of harvest. Toby's grandfather instructs him to bring something "to play along with the singing.... Something that speaks from your heart straight to the ears of God." The baffled boy queries members of his family and learns what they are bringing (his grandfather takes a cane to pound on the ground, his father brings a hoop drum, etc.) and how its sound correlates to a specific gift from nature (e.g., the sound of the cane emulates the "hooves of our plow mule" that break ground in the spring-"I give praise for our mule," says his grandfather). After trying out various objects, Toby arrives at the ring shout empty-handed, yet soon discovers a way to demonstrate his gratitude. From the opening sentence ("On the last day of the harvest year, the sun rose fat and warm as a hoecake over Appling Farm"), Siegelson fills her smooth narrative with strong imagery. Simplicity marks Cohen's (The Blues Singers) striking paintings, which layer solid colors to create almost a collage effect. She builds a sense of drama with shocks of vibrant color against muted, deeply toned backdrops. Swirling arrangement of type reinforces the energy and rhythm of the ceremony (the history of which the author explains in a concluding note). A warm celebration of an uplifting tradition. Ages 5-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

It is the last day of the harvest year and time to observe the sacred tradition of the ring-shout, an African American "holy dance" that combines celebration, thanksgiving, and praise in reverence to enslaved African ancestors. Young Jacob is old enough to join in the circle and needs to find an instrument worthy of speaking thanks "from his heart straight to the ears of God." His diligent search for a device and attempts to experiment to create sounds failed to make his heart sing and he arrived at the meeting place empty-handed. It did not take long for Toby to "feel the song and dance all the way to his insides." Suddenly he brought his palms together speaking in gratitude "with everything I had, from my toes to my nose." Sprinkled throughout the charming narrative are similes, repetitions, and swirling word displays that instill the traditions of the day's blessed event. The magic of the brilliant color-drenched paintings adds life, beauty, and drama to the story, especially the rising sun, pumpkin moon, and outstretched hands of the dancers. Add this title to autumn curriculum using the author's note that provides historical background and the list of resources. 2003, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 5 to 10.
—Barbara Troisi

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-It is the last day of harvest at the Appling Farm, and there is soon to be a celebration, or "ring shout," to rejoice in the year's blessings. According to Grand, everyone will be bringing something that speaks, "from your heart straight to the ears of God." Grand is bringing his cane because, "When I pound it on the ground, it sounds like the hooves of our plow mule that breaks dirt open in spring. I give praise for our mule." Pap, Mam, and Pearl are all taking things for their own special reasons. Toby is troubled. He is now old enough to join in the festivities, but he doesn't know what to contribute. Cohen's use of complementary colors over full spreads results in illustrations that are vibrant and eye-catching. Siegelson is to be commended for introducing children to this African-American tradition, but the story is less than compelling and some readers and listeners may lose interest before the end of the book. In the author's note (but not evidenced in the story), Siegelson comments that a ring shout incorporates a call-and-response style. While not a first purchase, the book will serve libraries looking for material on this tradition or celebrations that incorporate that idea of gratitude or praise.-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Toby is now old enough to join his family at the ring-shout in this story that draws on the African-American tradition of circle dances accompanied by call-and-response singing. Each family member brings something to play at the annual harvest celebration that "speaks from his own heart straight to God’s ears." Sister Pearl brings a dry gourd because the sound of the seeds reminds her of cornstalks rattling in the wind and she is "happy for the wind on hot days." Toby, with the wise help of his grandfather, learns that just clapping his hands allows him to speak with everything he has, and what he has most is family. Cohen’s boldly colored, flat illustrations swirl across the pages in circular patterns that provide just the right touch for this warm family story of faith and upholding tradition. An author’s note gives a brief history. (Picture book. 4 -7)