Jingle Dancer

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Book Overview

New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text is paired with the warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu in this affirming story of a contemporary Native American girl who turns to her family and community. The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing t ink, tink, tink, tink... Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family and intertribal...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068816241X
• ISBN13: 9780688162412
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Heartdrum
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.7" x 11.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Great!

I like the story with a strong family theme and it gives details about the jingle dancers that I didn’t know.

Excellent story for all -

What? No teepees or war paint? Bravo! Cynthia Leitich Smith's JINGLE DANCER is a refreshing story about a Muscogee-Ojibway girl wanting to participate in a powwow by performing a traditional dance. This contemporary picture book story is free of the stereotypes sometimes associated with Native American tales, and instead shows Jenna watching her grandma dance on a video tape, visiting a friend in a new duplex in the community, and talking with her lawyer aunt. The reader is also introduced to information about a traditional story, game, foods, and dance. Smith's lyrical narrative and captivating story makes this a perfect read-a-loud -- as my five-year-old daughter will attest to. As an Asian-American, I'm always thrilled to see contemporary stories with multicultural characters shown in real and positive ways.Beautiful illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu!

Native children's literature by a Native author--at last!

Until very recently, there were no large press picture books about contemporary Native children written by Indian authors. For this reason, Jingle Dancer is particularly notable. The story of Jenna, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation living with her family in Oklahoma, is written by a Native author. Rather than focusing exclusively on Jenna's Indian identity, however, the book presents Jenna as an average American kid, living in suburbia, who calls on her Native sensibilities and her broad community of supportive females to overcome a problem as she tries to put together her regalia for the Jingle Dance. Readers who are not familiar with the customs presented here will learn much, but above all, they will learn that Indian children are alive, well, and living rich lives amongst them, a lesson infrequently taught, and rarely so pleasantly. Rich, bright, cheerful watercolor illustrations by husband-and-wife team Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu enhance the presentation and bring Jenna to life. A significantly informative Author's Note and Glossary make the book even more effective.

Jingle Dancer

Cynthia Leitich Smith's, JINGLE DANCER, is a delightful book. Ms. Smith weaves a lovely story of the strong female ties in Native Ameicans matriarchal societies. Smith celebrates the loving, sharing spirit of friends and families. The passages of Jenna dancing through her day from dawn to moonlight are pure poetry. Cornelius Van Wright's and Ying-Hwa Hu's bright lively illustration are a perfect match. Cynthia Leitich Smith's writing is to be applauded as a great addition to the world of children's books.

A beautiful story for any child

Cynthia Leitich Smith has penned a graceful, lyrical story in JINGLE DANCER. My son enjoys hearing about Jenna's quest to find jingles for her dress, and loves looking at the beautiful illustrations. It's one of the books we read frequently. We've also purchased several copies of the book as baby shower gifts, and everyone has loved it. The high-quality writing and exceptional artwork make it a rare find. We can't wait for Ms. Smith's next book.

Jingle Dancer

I think the most powerful feature of this wonderful book is how it tells a story about a Native girl and her family's traditions but without resorting to age-old stereotypes. The story is set in present day in what appears to be your average middle America suburb. I think that is rare -- and overdue. I would think this would be an excellent gift for Native girls and boys in particular but to all children as a way to teach them about Native American traditions, families and bonds.