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Jingle Dancer
Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl in Oklahoma, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress? An unusual, warm family story, beautifully evoked in Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu's watercolor art.
Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2001, National Council...more
Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2001, National Council...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
April 30th 2000
by William Morrow
(first published April 28th 2000)
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Jan 30, 2009
Abigail
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Young Readers Interested in Contemporary Native America
Shelves:
indigenous-childrens,
picture-books
Review Temporarily Removed.
Jingle Dancer tells the story of Jenna, a modern Native American girl whose dream is to jingle dance in the powwow like her Grandma Wolfe. Even though Jenna practices often, there is not enough time to order the four rows of jingles to make the dress "sing." But, when Jenna visits some of the older women in her family, they give her some of their jingles and ask her to dance for them at the powwow. In the end, Jenna is able to make her dress using these jingles and dance in the powwow.
I loved s...more
I loved s...more
Genre: PB10
This was a good story about not giving up when you want something. I liked the illustrations the most. They really helped capture all the parts of the story and bring it into focus more for the readers. I had never read a story about a Powwow and hearing Jenna describe the work she puts into her dance as well as the time it takes to get a costume together was great to read. This book would make a great introduction into a lesson on other cultures for almost any school age group. I thi...more
This was a good story about not giving up when you want something. I liked the illustrations the most. They really helped capture all the parts of the story and bring it into focus more for the readers. I had never read a story about a Powwow and hearing Jenna describe the work she puts into her dance as well as the time it takes to get a costume together was great to read. This book would make a great introduction into a lesson on other cultures for almost any school age group. I thi...more
Opinion: I really liked this story. It is a short, sweet story about a young girl who wants to dance at the powwow. The story does a wonderful job incorporating important details of the importance of the steps, the jingles, and the sense of family. The figurative language was beautiful. “As Moon kissed Sun good night” and that the dresses needed “to keep their voice”. The story itself was simple, but showed so many positive aspects. The women in the story were portrayed as strong, educated, and...more
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Published: 2000, HarperCollins
Age: 4-10
Jenna is a modern Native American girl who sees her grandmother on a video performing a “Jingle Dance.” She wants to jingle dance too, and practices the dance. She wants to perform it at an upcoming powwow but she doesn’t have the four rows of tin jingles needed to sew onto a skirt. So, she visits a great aunt and asks to borrow a row of jingles. She only asks to borrow one row so her skirt won’t lose its voice. Then she visits a neighbor who is making Indi...more
Age: 4-10
Jenna is a modern Native American girl who sees her grandmother on a video performing a “Jingle Dance.” She wants to jingle dance too, and practices the dance. She wants to perform it at an upcoming powwow but she doesn’t have the four rows of tin jingles needed to sew onto a skirt. So, she visits a great aunt and asks to borrow a row of jingles. She only asks to borrow one row so her skirt won’t lose its voice. Then she visits a neighbor who is making Indi...more
This is such a wonderful book for young readers. It follows young Jenna, who wants to be a Jingle Dancer, like her Grandmother Wolfe. In search of Jingles for her dress Jenna visits her Grandmother, her Great Aunt Sis, her friend Mrs. Scott and her cousin Elizabeth, all are Jingle dancers, but for various reasons won't be able to dance in the upcoming Pow Pow. Jenna is asked to dance for them and giving some of their Jingles. In order for Jenna to dance, she must attach the jingles to her dress,...more
This is such a wonderful book for young readers. It follows young Jenna, who wants to be a Jingle Dancer, like her Grandmother Wolfe. In search of Jingles for her dress Jenna visits her Grandmother, her Great Aunt Sis, her friend Mrs. Scott and her cousin Elizabeth, all are Jingle dancers, but for various reasons won't be able to dance in the upcoming Pow Pow. Jenna is asked to dance for them and giving some of their Jingles. In order for Jenna to dance, she must attach the jingles to her dress,...more
Oh, I just loved these watercolor illustrations, from the vibrant and joyful cover illustration on. Jenna just jumps off the page. I love her expressions, especially when she’s dancing on the cover illustration and when she’s daydreaming, and when she’s interacting with her older female relatives. The only illustrations that seemed slightly lackluster were of Jenna dancing at the end; they don’t match that cover illustration. Jenna just shines in this story.
I enjoyed this story of a young Musco...more
I enjoyed this story of a young Musco...more
4 likes · like · see review
Summary-
This multicultural picture book, intended for primary students, tells of a young girl named Jenna who dreams of dancing in a powwow just like her Grandma. One morning she sits at the breakfast table and daydreams. In her mind she hears tink, tink, tink for the jingles and tin that shake with each dance step her Grandma would do. Jenna tells her Grandma her dream of doing the jingle dance too, but unfortunately they don't have enough time to order jingles for Jenna for the upcoming powwow...more
This multicultural picture book, intended for primary students, tells of a young girl named Jenna who dreams of dancing in a powwow just like her Grandma. One morning she sits at the breakfast table and daydreams. In her mind she hears tink, tink, tink for the jingles and tin that shake with each dance step her Grandma would do. Jenna tells her Grandma her dream of doing the jingle dance too, but unfortunately they don't have enough time to order jingles for Jenna for the upcoming powwow...more
This book is great for the classroom...especially if you're doing a unit on American Indians. It is totally culturally competent in that the characters in it are real, modern, and diverse. I would recommend this for anyone with children! My four year old daughter loves it. Also check out Rain Is Not My Indian Name, also by this author...a great story for older kids.
1 like · like · see review
PB 15: I thought this book was a poignant representation of the American Indian culture in a way that would keep children interested. I appreciated that they presented a different culture in a way that highlighted their traditions of dance. The story underscored the importance of family support and that resonated with me, as I was able to draw parallels from my own life with this story. I would recommend this story because I think it could spark conversations with children about their own herita...more
This book meant so much to me when I read it. Page after page resonated with who I am as a Native woman that dances (for us, dance is a form of prayer. It isn't entertainment or performance.) As a mother, it reminded me of the first time my daughter, Liz, danced for the first time. She was just barely three years old. Getting her ready was much as described by Smith in JINGLE DANCER. The family involvement is central. The family-in-present-day setting is crucial. Non-Native readers (I include bo...more
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Reading Level: 4th and Up
Jingle Dancer is about a little girl who wants to participate in dance tradition all the women in her family have participated for generations.
She goes around asking her family members (females) if she can borrow enough jingles from their dresses to complete her dress. She doesn't want to take too many jingles from their dresses because they will lose their jingle. She finally completes her dress with all the jingles she needs. Jenna dances f...more
Reading Level: 4th and Up
Jingle Dancer is about a little girl who wants to participate in dance tradition all the women in her family have participated for generations.
She goes around asking her family members (females) if she can borrow enough jingles from their dresses to complete her dress. She doesn't want to take too many jingles from their dresses because they will lose their jingle. She finally completes her dress with all the jingles she needs. Jenna dances f...more
I got this book because I like, if possible, to have a variety of books from a variety of views for my nieces to read. A book about a Native American girl *living today* (it's so easy for young children to get the impression that Native Americans either are all dead, or are about as real as witches and ghosts, because all they ever hear about them is in the past), written by somebody who probably knows what she's talking about? I had to try it.
The story is fairly simple - a girl wants to dance,...more
The story is fairly simple - a girl wants to dance,...more
Jingle Dancer, similar to Skysisters, is a story about a modern-day Native American girl experiencing the culture and history of her family. The main character, Jenna, wants to dance in the upcoming powwow with a jingle dress just as her grandmother used to do. But, with no time to buy jingles, Jenna asks her female relatives for some of their jingles so that she can make a dress. The message of not giving up is a good one for students to hear, and Jingle Dancer also contains great information o...more
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 s...more
Nov 28, 2011
Emily
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
american,
appearances,
aunts-uncles,
brightly-colored-illustrations,
children,
clothing,
community,
contemporary-fiction,
elderly,
entertainment,
family,
girls,
grandmother,
grandparents,
medium-readers,
moccasins,
multicultural,
native-american,
party,
performing,
picture-book,
repetitious,
predictable,
sharing,
talent,
water-color-illustrations,
powwow,
onomatopoeias,
creek-indians,
food,
dance,
bells,
oklahoma
This book would be a good book to use to inform children of a Native American practice and tradition. I liked how the author included a note at the end of the book to explain the background of the story. I also like how the author used words and phrases that Nativie American communities may also use. It made the story more authentic.
I think it's important to read books like this to children to show them that Native Americans look and act just like us. They do not wear feathers and moccasins eve...more
I think it's important to read books like this to children to show them that Native Americans look and act just like us. They do not wear feathers and moccasins eve...more
I think thid book has a great moral behind its story. we can see how the culture is still present and still celebrated, even though it is not a very popular culture, since it has a small populations. we see how a young child is trying her hardest to celebrate her culture in a society that may not well be aware of it. She goes on asking family member to let her borrow some of the items needed for a celebration. This is a great story for students to read becuase they could realize the appreciation...more
Sep 07, 2011
Michelle White
added it
I really enjoyed reading this book. I am part Native American and it makes me wish I knew more aout my culture and heritage. This book would be great to use in a section on Native American culture. I could do a unit on the different cultures that are in America. It has a section in the back that explains about different Native American cultures and rituals. I could have the students talk about their own cultures. I put this book on the historical fiction, informational book, and picture book boo...more
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 importa...more
The story text has repetitive elements that communicate importa...more
This is a great book to let kids know that Indian culture exists today. I particularly liked the way the girl goes to several of her relatives, all of whom live different lives, but all of whom participate in the powwow when they can. I thought it was interesting that the girl learns the dance from a video of her grandmother. It was one of several examples of how the ancient Indian culture has modernized but still perpetuates its traditions. This is a sweet book. The pictures are nice, too.
Illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
This book was about a Native American girl who needs to borrow jingles to attached to her dress so that she may dance in the pow-wow. Great illustrations depictions of Native Americans of today (you won't find any tepees, long house, or wigwams here) were great characters don't don animal hides or head dresses, traditional clothing is illustrated at the pow wow which Smith informs the reader that is a time of cultural celebration.
Very Good
This book was about a Native American girl who needs to borrow jingles to attached to her dress so that she may dance in the pow-wow. Great illustrations depictions of Native Americans of today (you won't find any tepees, long house, or wigwams here) were great characters don't don animal hides or head dresses, traditional clothing is illustrated at the pow wow which Smith informs the reader that is a time of cultural celebration.
Very Good
Jenna is a Muscogee (Creek) and Ojibway (Chippewa/Anishinabe) Native American. She want to be a Jingle Dancer, like her grandmother Wolfe, at the next pow-wow. But first she must collect rows of jingles to decorate her dress. She earns them by helping out her relatives and then her dress is complete, and she can proudly dance at the pow-wow. Gives an insight into Native American culture. Author's note about dancing in the back, along with a glossary of terms. Recommended for ages 4-7.
I have heard about this book before and am so impressed by the power of the simple story. The tight-knit family is so important in this story and could be a good place to discuss the tribal bonds of Native American families. The sounds present in the story would be fun for read-aloud, we well as the images of the dancing women. The history and heritage present in this book lends itself perfectly to a truthful and honest study of Native American culture and tribes.
I am always searching for good literature that supports our curriculum mandate to incorporate First Nations teachings. This book is an amazing book. The story is great on so many levels. It teaches about Powwows and the Jingle Dress dance. It alludes to some traditional games and stories that can be researched further. The illustrations are beautiful. The language used is just stunning. The story is touching too. I just really loved this book.
Jenna is looking for enough jingles to sew onto her dress to participate in the Jingle Dance, so she borrows one row of jingles from each of four female relatives. Some weird-seeming grammar ("Jenna bounce-stepped on family room carpet"), and in the first picture that shows Jenna in the Jingle Dance her facial expression looks kind of stoned. Other than those things, it was a cool book. Includes author's notes and a glossary.
I loved this book! It had family, tradition, culture, differences, and the list goes on and on. It shows how a different family works and how their values are important to them. The Grandmother in this story plays a huge influence on the young girls life. She shows her past experiences with her Jingle Dress and the child wants to learn about her history. I think many children can relate to this story. It is a wonderful book!
Format: Picture book
Age level: Elementary
Protagonist: Jenna
Brief Summary: This is a sweet story about how a young girl named Jenna searches for the jingles to put on her dress so she can dance in the powwow. It has a contemporary setting and shows Native Americans in different professions. The end of the book includes additional information about jingle dancers as well as a short glossary.
Age level: Elementary
Protagonist: Jenna
Brief Summary: This is a sweet story about how a young girl named Jenna searches for the jingles to put on her dress so she can dance in the powwow. It has a contemporary setting and shows Native Americans in different professions. The end of the book includes additional information about jingle dancers as well as a short glossary.
Sweet story of a girl who wants to dance at the powwow but doesn't have jingles. Has the repetitive rhythm of storytelling (and poetic, Native american-based phrasing) as she goes to different people to get one row of jingles for her dress. Shows that Native Americans are modern people who do a variety of jobs, even as it shows the traditional customs.
I really enjoyed this book, and I think it would be great to use while teaching about Native Americans. It is important to not just focus on their past, but also show modern Native Americans. This book looks at a young girl who is living in current society, but still carries on traditions of her heritage with the help of her mom and grandmother.
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Cynthia's fiction is noted for its diversity, humor, lyricism, and mid-to-southwestern settings. Still early in her career, she has shown tremendous range and loves to experiment.
JINGLE DANCER, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, (Morrow / Harper-Collins, 2000)(ages 4-up) was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, runner-up for the Western Writers Association Storyteller Award, a...more
More about Cynthia Leitich Smith...
JINGLE DANCER, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, (Morrow / Harper-Collins, 2000)(ages 4-up) was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, runner-up for the Western Writers Association Storyteller Award, a...more
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