Jingle Dancer (2000)
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Illustrated by
In this carefully crafted picturebook, Smith and illustrators collaborated to create a realistic experience marked by sound and culturally accurate imagery.
Smith relates that she and the illustrators made sure to verify that every last detail in the book was tribally specific and thus an accurate portrayal of Native American life. The dream catcher and Muskogee basket pictured in the background of the story are examples of illustrations that were modified in these efforts. Smith mentions that she wanted tribal peoples of a variety of shapes and colors to appear in the text as well. She provided illustrators with a box full of images to reference.
Watercolors in warm tones depict a modern tribal town and the sense of community apparent in the characters’ lives. Tribal women of varying generations are portrayed as nurturing parts of Jenna’s community. She borrows only one row of jingles from each woman, so that she can dance for them without silencing their own experience as tribal dancers.
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