The Cherokee Syllabary / ᏣᎳᎩ ᏗᎪᏪᎵ ᏧᏃᏴᎩ: An Illustrated Key to the Cherokee Language / Tsalagi Digoweli Tsunoyvgi

by Brad Wagnon, Beth Anderson (illustrator)

Genres: Language, Childrens, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Brad Wagnon is a lifelong resident of the Gideon Community and an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is a graduate of Tahlequah High School and Northeastern State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Native American Studies. Brad taught Cherokee History, Culture and Language at Tahlequah High School for 10 years and has worked for Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach since June 2015. Brad’s position as Community Outreach Coordinator put him in contact with Cherokee citizens all over the United States. Brad is a retired Lieutenant on the Gideon Fire Department, where he began as a firefighter in 2005. He is the author of three children’s books, “How the World Was Made: A Cherokee Story” (coming August 2021), “The Land of the Great Turtles” (coming August 2021) and “The First Fire: A Cherokee Story” (7th Generation, 2020). These books are based on traditional Cherokee stories. He and his wife Tanya live on his family’s land in Gideon. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his family.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau]

Wonderful introduction to the Cherokee language! All the words are given in Cherokee with English translations on each page. This book is being used to help Cherokee children learn their language. I must confess that I probably did not pronounce the words right; I will never be able to understand Cherokee. In this case my highest recommendation comes from what this book represents to children trying to embrace their culture and language, and not my own understanding of the subject.

[Anna Wooliver Phillips]

Looking forward to learning more.

[Beau Manglass]

Beautifully illustrated overview of the Cherokee syllabary with example Cherokee words and their English translations.