Oklahoma, or "Okla Homma," is a Choctaw word meaning "Red People." In this collection, acclaimed storyteller Tim Tingle tells the stories of his people, the Choctaw People, the Okla Homma. For years, Tim has collected stories of the old folks, weaving traditional lore with stories from everyday life. Walking the Choctaw Road is a mixture of myth stories, historical accounts passed from generation to generation, and stories of Choctaw people living their lives in the here and now.
The Wordcraft Circle of Native American Writers and Storytellers selected Tim as "Contemporary Storyteller Of The Year" for 2001, and in 2002, Tim was the featured storyteller at the National Storyteller Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee.
Grade 8 Up–Tim Tingle, Choctaw storyteller, performs his own collection of 12 stories from his book of the same title. His resonant and warm voice, leavened with occasional accents and colored by characters' varying moods, offers immediate intimacy and accessibility to listeners who learn more than a bit of history as well as enjoy several fanciful spins through folklore. The plots here range widely from the Trail of Tears and a slave escape to world mythology and Tingle's own adolescence during the Vietnam War era. Each CD presents three stories in their entirety and is clearly marked with the track number at which each begins. Tingle's presentation is elegant in its simplicity, and he provides ample contextual details to promote full comprehension of his characters' dilemmas and personal victories without those same details seeming the least pedagogic. For all public and school collections, this audiobook can be satisfyingly promoted for both curricular and entertainment uses.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
New books in 2010! With four new books in 2010, two solo titles and two short stories in anthologies, Tim is enjoying a busy year of book signings and festivals, beginning with the May release of SALTYPIE from Cinco Puntos Press (see Debbie Reese's review in americanindiansinchildrensliterature.com), and the summer blockbuster, TRICKSTER, a graphic novel-style collection which sold out the first printing in six weeks! MORE SPOOKY TEXAS TALES, the second in this series from Texas Tech Press (September release), includes scary stories for the 4-7th grade reader, set in modern times: Goth big sisters, runaways, Chupacabra prowlings, La Llorona at a San Antonio wedding, and suburban nightfrights. For the adult reader, Tingle's short story, "Six Dead Cabbies," appears in the long-awaited anthology, LONE STAR NOIRE, set for a November release at the Texas Book Festival, on the grounds of the state capitol. And....for fans of CROSSING BOK CHITTO, Tingle has completed a three-book series for the Young Adult reader, describing the adventures of Martha Tom and Lil Mo AFTER the miracle crossing. Expect a dose of kid-friendly American Indian history and Choctaw lore, including witchery, good and bad, evil death owls, snake people, and little men of the swamps and forests. No release date has been set for this exciting series. For Tingle newcomers, Tim is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. His great-great grandfather, John Carnes, walked the Trail of Tears in 1835. From 2002 to the present, Tingle has performed a traditional Choctaw story before Chief Gregory Pyle's Annual State of the Nation Address at the tribal gathering in Tushkahoma, Oklahoma, a Choctaw reunion that attracts over 90 thousand people! Tim completed his B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of Texas in 1975, and in 2003 received his M.A. in Native American Studies from the University of Oklahoma (football Saturdays are very interesting!). His stories are inspired by his own childhood and life experiences, and interviews he has conducted with Choctaws in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama over the last twenty years. Since the publication of his first book in 2003, the multiple award-winning WALKING THE CHOCTAW ROAD, Tingle has enjoyed a prolific and busy career. When not performing stories and speaking at festivals, universities, and many, many schools of all grade levels, Tingle divides his time between collecting Choctaw lore in Oklahoma and relaxing and writing on the shores of Canyon Lake, Texas. For a complete listing of books, reviews, and awards, visit his website: timtingle.com
This review is from: Walking the Choctaw Road : Stories from Red People Memory (Hardcover)
Written by acclaimed Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle, Walking The Choctaw Road is a delightfully presented, inherently entertaining, and thoughtfully informative collection of original tales drawn from personal, mythical, and oral accounts. Written in a down-to-earth, highly accessible style, Walking The Choctaw Road is a joy to read, embracing tribal traditions with wry humor, enhanced with liberal highlights of both energy and excitement. Walking The Choctaw Road is an enthusiastically recommended contribution to personal reading lists and Native American Studies collections.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Walking the Choctaw Road : Stories from Red People Memory (Hardcover)
I originally heard these stories read by Tim Tingle. The book is very good on its own but hearing the stories makes them come alive. A wonderful book, easy to read, very personal and accessible. Appropriate for adults and older children, I gave this book to my teen-age son for Christmas.
The photos in the book were chosen carefully, they reflect what people wore, how they looked and lived. The illustrations by Choctaw artist Norma Howard are exceptional as well.
The only caveat is this is storytelling, fiction, not every word should be considered historical fact.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 starsInsight into Choctaw culture and beliefs, January 4, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Walking the Choctaw Road : Stories from Red People Memory (Hardcover)
After marrying into a Choctaw family, I wanted to learn more about my husband's culture. These stories are a great representation to describe where the Choctaw have come from and what experiences have made them who they are today. My only complaint is that the book is too short! Now my appetite is whetted for more.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
