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Jingle Dancer
Tink, tink, tink, tink, sang cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress.
Jenna's heart beats to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum as she daydreams about the clinking song of her grandma's jingle dancing.
Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared by generations of women in her family, and she hopes to dance at the next powwow. But she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?
The warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu complement author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text as she tells the affirming story of how a contemporary Native American girl turns to her family and community to help her dance find a voice.
Jenna's heart beats to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum as she daydreams about the clinking song of her grandma's jingle dancing.
Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared by generations of women in her family, and she hopes to dance at the next powwow. But she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?
The warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu complement author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text as she tells the affirming story of how a contemporary Native American girl turns to her family and community to help her dance find a voice.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2000
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768 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Leitich Smith
40 books1,246 followersCynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature. Cynthia has also been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
October 18, 2021
This book may be twenty something, but it improves with age as do cherished traditions like jingle dancing. The breathtaking watercolor illustrations bring this story to life. Jenna daydreams of hearing her own dress jingle "to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum" like her Grandma Wolfe and others in her family. Her dress needed four rows of jingles. As she visits relatives who have danced in the past, each one gifts her a row of jingles. She never took so many that "the dress would lose its voice." Jenna helps her grandma sew on jingles and practices her steps all week. When the drums begin their beat Jenna dances for those who shared their jingles. This is a wonderful read aloud to open up a window into the traditions of the Creek Nation.
January 25, 2009
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 both adults and children) can learn that we are still here, and that in many ways, their lives and ours are much alike. Native readers can find their experiences reflected in those pages.
So, this is a must-have-in-every-classroom-and-every-library-and-every-home.
So, this is a must-have-in-every-classroom-and-every-library-and-every-home.
February 17, 2010
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 Muscogee (Creek) girl whose female family members have a tradition of jingle dancing at powwows. Jenna wants to join their ranks. How she gets enough jingles for her first jingle dancing dress is a lovely story of family sharing and cooperation, and pride. (Given that the other jingle dresses weren’t going to be used, I did think Jenna could have gotten the needed materials from just one dress, but then there wouldn’t be the story there is.)
This short story manages to show the common bond of family and jingle dancing with the varied lives lived by different members of the family.
There’s an author’s note at the end and a short glossary too.
I enjoyed this story of a young Muscogee (Creek) girl whose female family members have a tradition of jingle dancing at powwows. Jenna wants to join their ranks. How she gets enough jingles for her first jingle dancing dress is a lovely story of family sharing and cooperation, and pride. (Given that the other jingle dresses weren’t going to be used, I did think Jenna could have gotten the needed materials from just one dress, but then there wouldn’t be the story there is.)
This short story manages to show the common bond of family and jingle dancing with the varied lives lived by different members of the family.
There’s an author’s note at the end and a short glossary too.
July 22, 2019
Debbie Reese recommends, because #OwnVoices; set in present-day; names the specific nation.
But all that is icing on the cake.
The reason to read this book is because it's a beautiful story about a community, about traditions cherished and passed down with love. Lovely art, too.
But all that is icing on the cake.
The reason to read this book is because it's a beautiful story about a community, about traditions cherished and passed down with love. Lovely art, too.
March 6, 2020
Jenna dreams of being a jingle dancer like her Grandma Wolfe, but where will she find the four rows of jingles she needs to make her dress "sing?" The answer comes to her as she visits the older women of her community, from Great-aunt Sis, whose legs are not as strong as they once were, to Cousin Elizabeth, whose job as an attorney keeps her so busy that she sometimes has to miss powwow.
The story of a contemporary Muskogee (Creek) girl, Jingle Dancer was Cynthia Leitich Smith's first book, and offers a gentle narrative that emphasizes the importance of familial and communal bonds. I appreciated the message that sharing is the answer, when resources are scarce, and liked the reciprocity of the story. Jenna's elders each give her some of their jingles, and she in turn gives them her dance.
Like many other reviewers, I was impressed by this simple picture book, which depicts a young Native American girl and her community in the "here and now," rather than in some historical or legendary setting, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good story-hour selection. The narrative flows smoothly, and is well-matched by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu's soft watercolor illustrations.
The story of a contemporary Muskogee (Creek) girl, Jingle Dancer was Cynthia Leitich Smith's first book, and offers a gentle narrative that emphasizes the importance of familial and communal bonds. I appreciated the message that sharing is the answer, when resources are scarce, and liked the reciprocity of the story. Jenna's elders each give her some of their jingles, and she in turn gives them her dance.
Like many other reviewers, I was impressed by this simple picture book, which depicts a young Native American girl and her community in the "here and now," rather than in some historical or legendary setting, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good story-hour selection. The narrative flows smoothly, and is well-matched by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu's soft watercolor illustrations.
July 5, 2019
This is a sweet little story about a young girl named Jenna who wants to participate in jingle dancing. But her dress has no jingles. Using creativity, respect, and the love of her community, she comes up with a way to solve the problem and become the dancer she always wanted to be.
The note at the end offers a little more information on the background of the character portrayed in the story, and talks a bit about how the story is structured. Four is an important number in some Indigenous traditions (unlike the emphasis on three that we often see in European-styled stories); as Jenna works her way among her friends and family, looking for ways to make her dress sing, we see that number in action: she must ask four people for help, her dress needs four rows of jingles, etc.
The illustrations here are lovely, if a little dated. Jenna's everyday clothes kind of scream late '90s, which is a shame. Taken as historical fiction, though, it could work better. (Why did we insist on wearing our t-shirts three sizes too big back then?)
Overall, this is a lovely introduction to a tradition that many children might not be familiar with. I didn't know anything about jingle dancing, either, so this book helped broaden my knowledge a little, too. The star of the show, though, are those illustrations. The facial expressions and soft colour palette make the book so appealing to look at. Jenna herself, her hopes and dreams, her family and friends, and her traditions are all brought to life in a pleasing way. I definitely recommend giving this one a look.
The note at the end offers a little more information on the background of the character portrayed in the story, and talks a bit about how the story is structured. Four is an important number in some Indigenous traditions (unlike the emphasis on three that we often see in European-styled stories); as Jenna works her way among her friends and family, looking for ways to make her dress sing, we see that number in action: she must ask four people for help, her dress needs four rows of jingles, etc.
The illustrations here are lovely, if a little dated. Jenna's everyday clothes kind of scream late '90s, which is a shame. Taken as historical fiction, though, it could work better. (Why did we insist on wearing our t-shirts three sizes too big back then?)
Overall, this is a lovely introduction to a tradition that many children might not be familiar with. I didn't know anything about jingle dancing, either, so this book helped broaden my knowledge a little, too. The star of the show, though, are those illustrations. The facial expressions and soft colour palette make the book so appealing to look at. Jenna herself, her hopes and dreams, her family and friends, and her traditions are all brought to life in a pleasing way. I definitely recommend giving this one a look.
Read
October 18, 2021This book may be twenty something, but it improves with age as do cherished traditions like jingle dancing. The breathtaking watercolor illustrations bring this story to life. Jenna daydreams of hearing her own dress jingle "to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum" like her Grandma Wolfe and others in her family. Her dress needed four rows of jingles. As she visits relatives who have danced in the past, each one gifts her a row of jingles. She never took so many that "the dress would lose its voice." Jenna helps her grandma sew on jingles and practices her steps all week. When the drums begin their beat Jenna dances for those who shared their jingles. This is a wonderful read aloud to open up a window into the traditions of the Creek Nation. *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
October 12, 2011
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 still caregivers. Even a traditional story from the Muscogee is woven into the story. I really like the current setting intertwined with important past traditions.
Summary: Jenna is a member of the Muscogee Nation. She wants nothing more than to be a Jingle Dancer like her grandmother. She has a dress, but she has a silent one (no jingles). This story is how she interacts with the important people in her life, (her role models) to find her voice.
Grades: K+
Red Flags: NONE
School Connections:
- Powwow history: compare different Nations
- Muscogee Nation research
- Compare traditions from the student’s culture to this story
- Watch actual videos from Jingle Dancing
- Research other Fables/Stories from Native American Tribes
Summary: Jenna is a member of the Muscogee Nation. She wants nothing more than to be a Jingle Dancer like her grandmother. She has a dress, but she has a silent one (no jingles). This story is how she interacts with the important people in her life, (her role models) to find her voice.
Grades: K+
Red Flags: NONE
School Connections:
- Powwow history: compare different Nations
- Muscogee Nation research
- Compare traditions from the student’s culture to this story
- Watch actual videos from Jingle Dancing
- Research other Fables/Stories from Native American Tribes
December 30, 2010
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.
July 28, 2022
Omg I loved this, it was so sweet!
Only 32 pages and I was crying!
Only 32 pages and I was crying!
March 16, 2023
A Muscogee girl needs jingles for her dress if she wants to be a true jingle dancer at the next powwow. Her plan to get the jingles depends on the generosity and support of the generations of women who came before her, and the results are very heartwarming.
May 7, 2013
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
March 9, 2018
What a lovely story. I loved the importance of family on every page - you can tell that the relationships portrayed in the book between Jenna and the women in her life are all loving and kind. The smiles on every page as Jenna prepares to dance, practicing, collecting jingles made me smile myself.
March 25, 2022
What a beautiful and inspiring book. Kids want to imitate adults, so when Jenna sees Grandma Wolfe jingle dancing, she want to be a part of it. She learns all the steps by watching a video of her Grandma. But needing four rows of jingles, she is motivated to ask relatives nearby for just one row of their jingles. Thus the lender's dress can still sing. Of course each relative gladly relinquishes a row and asks Jenna to dance for them, since they will miss the pow wow.
The water color illustrations rival Caldecott books! My skin tingled a little more each page as I saw Jenna's motivation receive its rewards.
The water color illustrations rival Caldecott books! My skin tingled a little more each page as I saw Jenna's motivation receive its rewards.
September 17, 2022
This is a wonderful and rarely told storyline. Highly recommend! The art is lovely as well. You’ll be cheering her on as were we.
February 23, 2015
Personal Reaction: I thought this book was entertaining and a nice story about how a young girl, with the help of four people who she is close to, is able to dance at the powwow. My favorite part of the book was how the author put a page at the end, explaining certain terms used in the book and describing the culture and traditions of the Muskogee nation, which the character in the story is a part of. The illustrations of the book were pretty and colorful and made the book enjoying. I also liked the rhythm that was sometimes portrayed in the story, such as "brum brum brum went the powwow drum".
Purpose: To be read aloud to children in 1st or 2nd grade for enrichment purposes. Children get exposed diversity implicitly and learn about a new culture and traditions that vary from their own, through hearing this fun and entertaining story about a young child around their age. The addition of the page at the end of the book explaining vocabulary words that would be new to children, such as "regalia" and "powwow", as well as describing the traditions and culture that the young girl is a part of is great for teaching children about how people have different cultures. Children can become more open-minded at a young age through this book and learn that not everyone is the same and that one person's traditions can vary from another. This book could also possible serve as a curricular purpose if children are learning about native american tribes or if they were studying a unit on different cultures.
Purpose: To be read aloud to children in 1st or 2nd grade for enrichment purposes. Children get exposed diversity implicitly and learn about a new culture and traditions that vary from their own, through hearing this fun and entertaining story about a young child around their age. The addition of the page at the end of the book explaining vocabulary words that would be new to children, such as "regalia" and "powwow", as well as describing the traditions and culture that the young girl is a part of is great for teaching children about how people have different cultures. Children can become more open-minded at a young age through this book and learn that not everyone is the same and that one person's traditions can vary from another. This book could also possible serve as a curricular purpose if children are learning about native american tribes or if they were studying a unit on different cultures.
February 18, 2011
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 Indian tacos to borrow a row, a cousin who is a busy lawyer for a row, and finally her grandmother who gives her a row. Her grandmother sews them on her skirt and now she can perform the jingle dance at the powwow. Smith mixes old tradition such the jingle dance, powwow, regalia, and food, with modern day fashion, home, amenities, and job. She also mixes Indian language in the text using the time of day as Indians would describe it: “As Moon kissed Sun goodnight,” “As Sun fetched morning,” “As Sun arrived midcircle.” Artists Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu’s realistic and beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the old tradition with the new and portray warmth and love between the characters. Smith writes an author’s note that explains the origin and details about the jingle dance and other interesting facts about the Ojibway people. Onamonapoeia of the tink, tink sound of the tin jingles makes it a fun read aloud.
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 Indian tacos to borrow a row, a cousin who is a busy lawyer for a row, and finally her grandmother who gives her a row. Her grandmother sews them on her skirt and now she can perform the jingle dance at the powwow. Smith mixes old tradition such the jingle dance, powwow, regalia, and food, with modern day fashion, home, amenities, and job. She also mixes Indian language in the text using the time of day as Indians would describe it: “As Moon kissed Sun goodnight,” “As Sun fetched morning,” “As Sun arrived midcircle.” Artists Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu’s realistic and beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the old tradition with the new and portray warmth and love between the characters. Smith writes an author’s note that explains the origin and details about the jingle dance and other interesting facts about the Ojibway people. Onamonapoeia of the tink, tink sound of the tin jingles makes it a fun read aloud.
February 21, 2013
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 some of the themes in this story. For example, Jenna incorporates some of the heritage of the women in her family into her dress and her dance. I also thought the story showed a realistic portrayal of the balance between modern lifestyle and native traditions. Mrs. Scott lives in a "brand-new duplex" but will be selling fry bread at the powwow. Cousin Elizabeth cannot go the the powwow because she has a big case at her law firm.
I also appreciated the explanation of some of the traditions of the Muscogee Nation and Ojibway people, the author's own background. There was a glossary of terms in the back including fry bread, Indian taco, etc.
However, I thought the book's method of keeping track of time seemed a little forced and stereotypically. Instead of saying, "in the morning," the book said "as Sun fetched morning" and continued throughout the different times of day. It seems odd in combination with the more modern setting.
I loved some of the themes in this story. For example, Jenna incorporates some of the heritage of the women in her family into her dress and her dance. I also thought the story showed a realistic portrayal of the balance between modern lifestyle and native traditions. Mrs. Scott lives in a "brand-new duplex" but will be selling fry bread at the powwow. Cousin Elizabeth cannot go the the powwow because she has a big case at her law firm.
I also appreciated the explanation of some of the traditions of the Muscogee Nation and Ojibway people, the author's own background. There was a glossary of terms in the back including fry bread, Indian taco, etc.
However, I thought the book's method of keeping track of time seemed a little forced and stereotypically. Instead of saying, "in the morning," the book said "as Sun fetched morning" and continued throughout the different times of day. It seems odd in combination with the more modern setting.
June 16, 2019
Jingle Dancer is a children's picture book written by Cynthia Leitich Smith and illustrated by the team of Ying-Hwa Hu and Cornelius Van Wright, which stars Jenna, who is determined to dance at an upcoming powwow, despite not having a dress with jingles.
As the Google Doodle for the day (15 June 2019), at least around my part of the world, is celebrating the Jingle Dance. So I thought this book would be apropos to read for today.
Smith's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. It is a wonderful story about girl who wants to dance in the upcoming powwow, but lacks the necessary items necessary for the celebration. In comes the help of her grandmother and friends. Hu-Van Wright's illustrations are lifelike renderings, which captures the genuine affection between Jenna and these caring older women.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The narrative convincingly juxtaposes cherished Native American tradition and contemporary lifestyle. Watching a videotape of Grandma Wolfe performing a jingle dance, Jenna is determined to dance at an upcoming powwow. Unfortunately, she lacks the cone-shaped, tin jingles that are sewn on to dancers' dresses as part of the regalia. She visits her great-aunt, a neighbor, a cousin and Grandma Wolfe, all of whom lend her jingles for her dress.
All in all, Jingle Dancer is a wonderfully written book about a child in search of her heritage in the modern age.
As the Google Doodle for the day (15 June 2019), at least around my part of the world, is celebrating the Jingle Dance. So I thought this book would be apropos to read for today.
Smith's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. It is a wonderful story about girl who wants to dance in the upcoming powwow, but lacks the necessary items necessary for the celebration. In comes the help of her grandmother and friends. Hu-Van Wright's illustrations are lifelike renderings, which captures the genuine affection between Jenna and these caring older women.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The narrative convincingly juxtaposes cherished Native American tradition and contemporary lifestyle. Watching a videotape of Grandma Wolfe performing a jingle dance, Jenna is determined to dance at an upcoming powwow. Unfortunately, she lacks the cone-shaped, tin jingles that are sewn on to dancers' dresses as part of the regalia. She visits her great-aunt, a neighbor, a cousin and Grandma Wolfe, all of whom lend her jingles for her dress.
All in all, Jingle Dancer is a wonderfully written book about a child in search of her heritage in the modern age.
October 5, 2010
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, and with the help of her Grandmother, she's able to do that.
I really liked how the story showed various Native American women in various jobs, and the importance of the family and their involvement with helping young Jenna prepare for her first dance. I really enjoyed the insight that Cynthia gives into the Native American culture. She portrayed the importance of their relationships within the family and community, as neighbors come together to share and help one another. She provides a wonderful glossary with Native American terms, as well as her own personal notes about the beautiful culture and a brief history about the dignified jingle dancers.
Jingle Dancer is a beautifully written story that belongs in both school and home libraries. I highly recommend this story.
I really liked how the story showed various Native American women in various jobs, and the importance of the family and their involvement with helping young Jenna prepare for her first dance. I really enjoyed the insight that Cynthia gives into the Native American culture. She portrayed the importance of their relationships within the family and community, as neighbors come together to share and help one another. She provides a wonderful glossary with Native American terms, as well as her own personal notes about the beautiful culture and a brief history about the dignified jingle dancers.
Jingle Dancer is a beautifully written story that belongs in both school and home libraries. I highly recommend this story.
December 1, 2010
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, and with the help of her Grandmother, she's able to do that.
I really liked how the story showed various Native American women in various jobs, and the importance of the family and their involvement with helping young Jenna prepare for her first dance. I really enjoyed the insight that Cynthia gives into the Native American culture. She portrayed the importance of their relationships within the family and community, as neighbors come together to share and help one another. She provides a wonderful glossary with Native American terms, as well as her own personal notes about the beautiful culture and a brief history about the dignified jingle dancers.
Jingle Dancer is a beautifully written story that belongs in both school and home libraries. I highly recommend this story.
I really liked how the story showed various Native American women in various jobs, and the importance of the family and their involvement with helping young Jenna prepare for her first dance. I really enjoyed the insight that Cynthia gives into the Native American culture. She portrayed the importance of their relationships within the family and community, as neighbors come together to share and help one another. She provides a wonderful glossary with Native American terms, as well as her own personal notes about the beautiful culture and a brief history about the dignified jingle dancers.
Jingle Dancer is a beautifully written story that belongs in both school and home libraries. I highly recommend this story.
June 28, 2013
In this book we meet Jenna who is a member of the Muscogee Nation. We also meet her grandma, aunt and other members of her family and community. Jenna wants to be just like her grandmother, she wants to dance at the pow-wow, but she doesn't have a jingle dress - a traditional attire. Jenna seeks help in her family and the community. Soon she collects enough jingles to make a dress of her own. This book teaches us little about the Muscogee Nation, but it shows us how our families come together to help each other to reach a goal. Characters in this book all live in a contemporary intertribal community and are positive role models for Jenna. I think it is a great book to be used to show similarity between families of different descent and break the negative stereotype about Native Americans. I wish it had more background information on the tribe itself to familiarize the students with their culture. Without it, I believe the teacher needs to introduce her/his students to the culture with other sources to make this book more meaningful. Regardless, I think this book has a lot of value in terms of family and community working together. I find this picture book to be a good book to use with older early childhood (grade 2,3) and middle school as well.
November 4, 2015
It’s often a surprise to read what seems like a simple story, and after reading the back matter, I realize there is much more in the story than I understood. Young girl Jenna daydreams of the day when she can jingle-dance like her Grandma Wolfe, but Grandma says there isn’t enough time before the Powwow to order the jingles. Jenna visits various relatives to see if she might borrow one line of jingles from their own dresses, and manages to do it. Each one has a reason to give: one isn’t strong enough anymore, another has a big case to prepare for law school, and still another will be making fry bread, too busy to dance. Jenna only needs one more, and asks Grandma Wolfe if she can spare just one row. She can, and they work hard every day to sew all those jingles onto Jenna’s dress. The backmatter shares more background of the jingles, the importance in Native American lives of the number four (four people’s jingles) and the pride of all when a child performs the “first dance”. The illustrations fill the page with beautiful scenes of the story. This is Cynthia Leitich Smith’s first book, published a few years ago, but a good one to add to collections about different cultures.
May 6, 2015
Jingle Dancer; written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by: Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu; Copyright 2000, 30 pg.
*Contemporary Realistic Fiction #1*
The young girl in this story, Jenna, is of the Muscogee Nation and of Ojibway descent. In her intertribal community, powwows are a tradition to be held. The members of the community put on traditional dresses with jungle on them and dance beautifully for all to see. When Jenna watches this, she wants to dance too. However, she does not have any jingles on her dress. On her quest to find a way to dance, she cooperates with many family members and friends, who gladly agree to help the polite little girl.
I really loved this book because Jenna's character is so willing to give of herself and is not selfish, which reflects the same dispositions the rest of the community has. I loved this book also because it shows what it would be like in Jenna's culture. It helps those who may not be familiar to better understand and not follow Native American stereotypes and misinterpretations.
I would read this book aloud and deem it appropriate as early as first grade and up to third.
*Contemporary Realistic Fiction #1*
The young girl in this story, Jenna, is of the Muscogee Nation and of Ojibway descent. In her intertribal community, powwows are a tradition to be held. The members of the community put on traditional dresses with jungle on them and dance beautifully for all to see. When Jenna watches this, she wants to dance too. However, she does not have any jingles on her dress. On her quest to find a way to dance, she cooperates with many family members and friends, who gladly agree to help the polite little girl.
I really loved this book because Jenna's character is so willing to give of herself and is not selfish, which reflects the same dispositions the rest of the community has. I loved this book also because it shows what it would be like in Jenna's culture. It helps those who may not be familiar to better understand and not follow Native American stereotypes and misinterpretations.
I would read this book aloud and deem it appropriate as early as first grade and up to third.
September 9, 2012
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 think kids and adults would love hearing about a girl who does all she can to get the jingles needed to make her dress "sing" for the Powwow. I love the connection between Jenna and her grandmother, the writer really makes it clear that she looks up to her and that is special. the story also shows being persistent is a good quality to have when you really wan t to do something important. Jenna was persistent in getting her jingles for her dress and it paid off with her dancing in the Powwow.
Three words to describe this book: Persistence, positive, fun
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 think kids and adults would love hearing about a girl who does all she can to get the jingles needed to make her dress "sing" for the Powwow. I love the connection between Jenna and her grandmother, the writer really makes it clear that she looks up to her and that is special. the story also shows being persistent is a good quality to have when you really wan t to do something important. Jenna was persistent in getting her jingles for her dress and it paid off with her dancing in the Powwow.
Three words to describe this book: Persistence, positive, fun
September 16, 2013
This is a great book to introduce a discussion on Native American customs and traditions. Jenna, the main character in this book, wants to jingle dance in the next powwow, so she asks to borrow the jingles from many family members in order to have enough for her own dress. Jenna is able to accomplish her dream of dancing at a powwow by representing all her family members who are not able to dance. It would also be interesting to point out the language of this book because it refers to the sun and moon frequently. Connecting this language with many Native American cultures is important for students to understand. At the end of the story, the author provides more specific details about the tribe and attributes of Native American culture that Jenna represents. I would use this book for a general read aloud that increases my students' awareness of another culture. It could also be used for a unit on Native American history and culture.
May 2, 2013
Tags: multicultural, Oklahoma, Creek Nation, Native American, family pride, honor, regalia, powwow, matriarchal, tradition, heritage, jingles, Standard Source
Jenna wants do be a jingle dancer at the upcoming powwow but she doesn't have enough jingles for her dress. She asks various female members of her extended family for help, while promising to dance in their place as a family representative. Set in contemporary Oklahoma, the story emphasizes the traditions and culture of the Native Americans. Notes at the end explain the importance of the "regalia" and the honor of dancing in the powwow.
Leitich Smith, Cynthia illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. "Jingle Dancer." Morrow Junior Books: New York, 2000.
Jenna wants do be a jingle dancer at the upcoming powwow but she doesn't have enough jingles for her dress. She asks various female members of her extended family for help, while promising to dance in their place as a family representative. Set in contemporary Oklahoma, the story emphasizes the traditions and culture of the Native Americans. Notes at the end explain the importance of the "regalia" and the honor of dancing in the powwow.
Leitich Smith, Cynthia illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. "Jingle Dancer." Morrow Junior Books: New York, 2000.
August 31, 2009
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, and she finds a way to do so by getting other people to share with her. (And she works hard, too, practicing all through the last few pages!) It's a good story, and I love the artwork.
The story is fairly simple - a girl wants to dance, and she finds a way to do so by getting other people to share with her. (And she works hard, too, practicing all through the last few pages!) It's a good story, and I love the artwork.
August 4, 2015
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.
Read
February 1, 2011I 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.
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