Jingle Dancer

Bibliography:

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. Jingle Dancer. Ill by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN: 068816241x.

Summary:

In this picture book, Jenna is a young girl who wants to dance at the upcoming powwow. She is a contemporary member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and she admires the way her grandmother jingle dances. The powwow is coming up soon, so Jenna borrows a row of jingles each from four different friends and family members, and her grandmother helps her sew them on her regalia. At the powwow, Jenna’s dress has a voice and it sings as she dances!

Analysis:

Smith is a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, just like Jenna is portrayed in the story. Both the text and illustrations reveal a contemporary Native American community: living in modern suburban houses and neighborhoods, using technology, wearing jeans and t-shirts, and working in careers (such as a lawyer). This is a refreshing break from stereotypes. The book also highlights the community’s valuable traditions, though. Jenna eats and helps make fry bread, a traditional food. Jenna’s great-aunt tells her an old Muscogee folktale. The entire book focuses on the specific tradition of jingle dancing at the powwow. At the back of the book are a brief glossary and an author’s note with cultural information.

The number four is important in the story, and the author explains that four is a sacred number to many Native Americans. Jenna borrows four rows of jingles from four women, and she walks east, south, north, and west to visit those friends and family. She visits them at four different times of day, and the times are described in terms of what the sun and moon do (sun at midcircle, sun kissed moon, and so on). The author also successfully uses rhythm throughout the book, such as “brum, brum, brum, brum” and “tink tink tink tink,” which is important in a book about dancing and music.

The illustrations are full-page watercolor, and they are warm and beautiful. The illustrators are not of Native American heritage, but they did research and they portray diverse and authentic characters and scenes.

Reviews/Awards:

Reading is Fundamental 2011 Multicultural Books List

“Smith's language consciously evokes legend. For example, ‘As Sun caught a glimpse of the Moon’ indicates the time of day; and Jenna is careful to borrow only a limited number of jingles, ‘not wanting to take so many that [another's] dress would lose its voice.’” Publisher’s Weekly

“When the big day arrives, the girl feels proud to represent these four women and carry on their tradition. Watercolor paintings in bright, warm tones fill each page. In scenes where she is dancing, backgrounds of blurred figures effectively represent both the large audience and the many generations whose tradition the gathering honors. Seeing Jenna as both a modern girl in the suburban homes of her intertribal community and as one of many traditionally costumed participants at the powwow will give some readers a new view of a contemporary Native American way of life.” School Library Journal

Connections:
* Share this book along with a video of jingle dancing (found on the Internet), and discuss the tradition.