Navajo ABC : A Din Alphabet Book

From Publishers Weekly
English and Navajo (or Din?) words address aspects of Navajo life; colored-pencil illustrations serve as quiet complements. All ages. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-This warm ABC book uses colored-pencil drawings of things, people, and places important or unique to the Dine people. Starting out with English words such as belt (a Navajo concho belt), cradle board, earrings, and grandma, Tapahonso also introduces Dine words such as 'I'ii'a (sunset), keyah (land), and 'ooljee' (moon). The soft, full-page drawings depict distinctly Navajo objects-a squash-blossom necklace; a traditional high-top, side-tied moccasin. The glossary gives the Navajo equivalent (and pronunciation) for each English word, and a pronunciation and English translation for each Dine word, and explains each word in the context of the native culture. Tapahonso has created a wonderful introduction to her people and their language, and Schick's pastel pencil drawings are a perfect complement. Much more coherent and successful than other "Indian" ABC books such as Gerald Hausman's Turtle Island ABC (HarperCollins, 1994) and Richard Red Hawk's ABCs the American Indian Way (Sierra Oaks, 1988), this is a solid purchase.Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 4^-8. After introducing the Navajo people's name for themselves, T'aa Dine, the authors present a Dine alphabet book using objects and words familiar to the Navajo culture. Four letters appear with Dine words, but the remaining 22 are associated with English ones--belt, grandma, yucca, etc. Each pairing is illustrated by a colored-pencil picture of the object, plant, or person named. A glossary, which includes pronunciation guidance, provides translations and a cultural context for each item, adding to the book's usefulness for introducing children to other cultures. The book may also serve as a model for student-created books. The contemporary focus on a specific tribe is a welcome change from works that clump all Indians together in a historical context without mentioning individual languages. Karen Hutt


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After introducing the Navajo people's name for themselves, T'aa Dine, the authors present a Dine alphabet book using objects and words familiar to the Navajo culture. Four letters appear with Dine words, but the remaining 22 are associated with English ones--belt, grandma, yucca, etc. Each pairing is illustrated by a colored-pencil picture of the object, plant, or person named. A glossary, which includes pronunciation guidance, provides translations and a cultural context for each item, adding to the book's usefulness for introducing children to other cultures. The book may also serve as a model for student-created books. The contemporary focus on a specific tribe is a welcome change from works that clump all Indians together in a historical context without mentioning individual languages.


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