Customer Reviews

Jingle Dancer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
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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!

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.

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.

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.

Watching her own grandmother dance the traditional jingledance,Jenna hopes to carry on the proud tradition.

In order to makeher own dress "sing," however, Jenna will need four rows of jingles. There isn't enough time before the next powwow to mail- order the tin beads, but Jenna doesn't loose faith. A Muskogee Creek story about a bat that she is told by her Great Aunt Sis shows that no one is too little to make a difference.

<i>Rising sunlight reached through a window pane and flashed against... what was it, hanging in Aunt Sis's bedroom? Jingles on a dress too long quiet. "May I borrow enough jingles to make a row? Jenna asked, not wanting to take so many that Aunt Sis's dress would lose its voice. "You may," Aunt Sis answered, rubbing her calves. "My legs don't work so good anymore. Will you dance for me?" "I will," said Jenna with a kiss on Aunt Sis's cheek. Now Jenna's dress needed three more rows.<i/>

With the assistance of those in her community who cannot dance at the powwow, Jenna finds enough spare jingles to make her dress sing. With patience and practice, her hope is fulfilled.

In JINGLE DANCER, Cynthia Leitich Smith honors the tradition of jingle dancing, a ritual of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which has been celebrated for generations. Jenna is a delightful, ambitious child with great pride---a wonderful heroine for this picture book story. Not only does the author capture the feel of Native American heritage through the exposition and resolution of the story, but she adds to the mood by using the position of the sun in the sky to describe the passing of time within it. The author's note at the end of this picture book provides the fascinating background to this custom.

Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu's brilliant watercolor illustrations are the perfect medium in which to bring this endearing Native American story to life.

A reading of JINGLE DANCER is sure to inspire a jingle in the reader's heart.

Writers Moon reViews (WritersMoon@aol.com) P.O. Box 182, Nesconset, NY 11767-0182 Copyright (c) 2000 Lynne Remick LynnRemick@aol.com) Reprinted with permission from Lynne Remick and Fantasy, Folklore & Fairytales

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.

Jingle Dancer is a story rich with sensory details and vibrant characters. The most vivivdly drawn character of all is Jenna, whose heart beats "to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum" as she daydreams about jingle dancing like her beloved Grandma Wolfe. But to dance, Jenna needs her dress to sing with "four rows of jingles." Young readers will delight in following Jenna on her quest to find jingles for her dress.

Cynthia Leitich Smith's text is graceful and poetic. In Jenna, the author has created an engaging, absolutely believable young heroine who will win over the hearts of those who read her story. The paintings of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu bring Jenna and her family to life in gorgeous, warm-toned colors. Jingle Dancer is an outstanding choice for families and schools alike.

As a Native woman, I'm always looking for books for the children in my family. There aren't hardly any set today and too many of them are boring. This book has gorgeous illustrations and writing that is both poetic and energized. I would highly recommend this book to teachers and parents. A great book for girls and grandmas!

Following in Jenna's footsteps in Jingle Dancer as she visits her relatives and friends to see if she can collect enough jingles for her ceremonial costume is a journey any young reader will enjoy. It's a refreshing view of contemporary Indian life without a single stale stereotype. The lyrical language and rich watercolor illustrations add to the book's appeal. A book many children (and many teachers) will treasure.

I have a baby girl who is part Blackfoot Indian through her father. I obtained a copy of Jingle Dancer and shared it with my daughter. I truly enjoyed the book. I was pleased that the book incorporated information about Native American traditions. I learned from this book as did my daughter. I also enjoyed the illustrations. I highly recommend the book to anyone, Native American or not.