Bibliographic data
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Jingle Dancer. New York: HarperCollins, 2000.
Brief plot summary
Jenna daydreams about her Grandma Wolfe’s dress and the jingling noise it makes as she dances to the powwow drum. She watched a videotape of her dancing and mimicked her moves. Jenna borrows jingles from her Great-aunt Sis because she can no longer dance. She borrows other’s jingles, enough to make her four rows that she needs to dance in the powwow. She practiced her dance steps and finally performed with all four rows of jingles at the powwow.
Critical analysis
This is Cynthia Leitich-Smith’s first book. She has since became a popular young adult author. The author is a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and currently lives in Austin, Texas.
She uses terms that are serene and full of nature in this picture book. Some of the phrases used are, “As Moon kissed Sun good night,” “As Sun fetched morning,” “As Sun arrived at midcircle,” and “As Sun caught a glimpse of Moon.” This type of language is commonly seen in Native American legends and tales.
The back of the book gives readers an “Author’s Note” area with a glossary. In the Author’s Note she details more information about Creek Nation. She also explains that the story of Bat that Great-aunt Sis retells to Jenna is a Muscogee traditional story.
Cynthia Leitich-Smith also explains the origin of jingle dancers and their dresses. She states that the tink-tink noise the bells or metal makes is compared to rain falling on a tin roof. Because of the four rows of jingles that are needed for the jingle dance, Smith also explains that the number four is an important number, even sacred for many Native Americans.
There is much to learn from this book about this culture. Dancing and singing is an important part of Native American culture. This book captures the importance of music and dance. The illustrations are large with beautiful coloring. The illustrators use bright colors but not too bright. It’s more of bright, soft watercolor paintings throughout the pages.
Review excerpt
School Library Journal
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.
Publishers Weekly
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." Van Wright and Hu's (Jewels) lifelike renderings capture the genuine affection between Jenna and these caring older women. Their easy integration of Native and standard furnishings and clothing gracefully complement Smith's heartening portrait of a harmonious meshing of old and new.
Connections
Read more about the local Texas author, Cynthia Leitich-Smith
Read Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich-Smith
Read Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich-Smith
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Jingle Dancer. New York: HarperCollins, 2000.
Brief plot summary
Jenna daydreams about her Grandma Wolfe’s dress and the jingling noise it makes as she dances to the powwow drum. She watched a videotape of her dancing and mimicked her moves. Jenna borrows jingles from her Great-aunt Sis because she can no longer dance. She borrows other’s jingles, enough to make her four rows that she needs to dance in the powwow. She practiced her dance steps and finally performed with all four rows of jingles at the powwow.
Critical analysis
This is Cynthia Leitich-Smith’s first book. She has since became a popular young adult author. The author is a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and currently lives in Austin, Texas.
She uses terms that are serene and full of nature in this picture book. Some of the phrases used are, “As Moon kissed Sun good night,” “As Sun fetched morning,” “As Sun arrived at midcircle,” and “As Sun caught a glimpse of Moon.” This type of language is commonly seen in Native American legends and tales.
The back of the book gives readers an “Author’s Note” area with a glossary. In the Author’s Note she details more information about Creek Nation. She also explains that the story of Bat that Great-aunt Sis retells to Jenna is a Muscogee traditional story.
Cynthia Leitich-Smith also explains the origin of jingle dancers and their dresses. She states that the tink-tink noise the bells or metal makes is compared to rain falling on a tin roof. Because of the four rows of jingles that are needed for the jingle dance, Smith also explains that the number four is an important number, even sacred for many Native Americans.
There is much to learn from this book about this culture. Dancing and singing is an important part of Native American culture. This book captures the importance of music and dance. The illustrations are large with beautiful coloring. The illustrators use bright colors but not too bright. It’s more of bright, soft watercolor paintings throughout the pages.
Review excerpt
School Library Journal
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.
Publishers Weekly
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." Van Wright and Hu's (Jewels) lifelike renderings capture the genuine affection between Jenna and these caring older women. Their easy integration of Native and standard furnishings and clothing gracefully complement Smith's heartening portrait of a harmonious meshing of old and new.
Connections
Read more about the local Texas author, Cynthia Leitich-Smith
Read Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich-Smith
Read Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich-Smith
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