Scan barcode
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
5.0
A nicely illustrated story about a small girl who watches a videotape of her grandmother dancing at a pow-wow and wants to dance just like her! She has a chance and goes to collect jingle bells from each of her close loved ones and thinks about them when she finally dances. A very touching story!
megatsunami's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book, which tells of a young Muscogee/ Ojibwe girl getting help and support from her relatives and neighbors so she can participate as a jingle dancer in an upcoming powwow. The story has a lovely rhythm and cadence to it. The girl and her extended family easily participate in both traditional and modern Native American customs and practices - their heritage is clearly celebrated, but they are not romanticized and participate in modern life (e.g. watching TV, being a lawyer...). The story brings out values of interdependence and finding a win-win solution, but is not preachy, and shows rather than telling.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
Published stories about Native/Indigenous Americans are hard to find. With a culture whose traditions were oral, it isn’t surprising that transferring the tales to the page can be an extra challenge. Luckily, this book’s author, Cynthia Leitich Smith, has started an imprint, Heartdrum (Harper Collins) in order to help bring more Indigenous stories to bookshelves.
This was a beautiful story of family and culture. My heart warmed seeing Jenna’s grandmother passing on their history and traditions. {A similar heart-warming occurred when my husband’s grandmother showed him how to cook a traditional Norwegian dish, one that no one else in the large family desired to learn.} Not only does the book trumpet the importance of traditional family, it exhibits a larger family within a community. Not only does the book teach Jenna about the powwow, the dress, and dancing, it opens the eyes of readers not brought up in this culture. This was a treasure. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Smith puts forth under her new label.
This was a beautiful story of family and culture. My heart warmed seeing Jenna’s grandmother passing on their history and traditions. {A similar heart-warming occurred when my husband’s grandmother showed him how to cook a traditional Norwegian dish, one that no one else in the large family desired to learn.} Not only does the book trumpet the importance of traditional family, it exhibits a larger family within a community. Not only does the book teach Jenna about the powwow, the dress, and dancing, it opens the eyes of readers not brought up in this culture. This was a treasure. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Smith puts forth under her new label.
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book and this was not the first time I have read it. We used it in combination with a video that showed a powwow so my students could hear the sounds of the jingle dresses. My students really noticed the similarities between Hmong New Year and Powwow. They noticed also that the dresses they wear have coins that jingle like the jingle cones.
Here is the blurb about our lesson on our blog: http://nhreads.weebly.com/blog.html
Here is the blurb about our lesson on our blog: http://nhreads.weebly.com/blog.html
hldillon's review against another edition
5.0
Great multicultural story about a little girl who wants to make her family members proud of her when she dances in the big pow-wow. She borrow jingles from people she cares about so they can be apart of the dance.
a_manning11's review against another edition
4.0
This is a picture book that can be used as an introduction into Native American traditions for young children. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful. And even though the book describes the tradition of 'jingle dancing' and its importance, there is no stereotyping in this story. Native American women here live in houses with regular kitchens, and lead busy lives, working as lawyers. I really liked that it is a contemporary story.
The story text has repetitive elements that communicate importance, and make the story memorable.
The story text has repetitive elements that communicate importance, and make the story memorable.
amwright's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this. I like that the book shows the importance of different female family members/community members in the main characters' life, as well as the fact that it follows the cardinal directions and incorporates the meaning of four. It also has a poignant meaning that resonated with me about how we dance (more generally live) not only for ourselves, but for, and empowered by our family, friends, community and ancestors.