Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing

James Rumford (2004), 32 pages

Translated by Anna Sixkiller Huckaby

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Rumford takes his readers on a walk through a forest of tall redwood trees. Gazing out at a Giant Sequoia, one might wonder about the name’s origin … the name “Sequoia” comes from a brave Cherokee man named Sequoyah “who was alive when the United States was new.” Looking up at these tall majestic trees, readers might speculate that Sequoyah was a strong warrior or leader, an imposing figure who fought valiantly. In reality though Sequoyah was a not a warrior or chief, he was a metalworker. Cherishing his people and the Cherokee traditions, he decided to preserve his culture by writing their stories, histories, and memories. Even though the Cherokee Nation did not read or write and he himself was illiterate Sequoyah decided to invent writing for his people. After several attempts Sequoyah’s ingenuity and determination paid off. He eventually fashioned a written language for the Cherokee Nation using symbols known as a syllabary (rather than writing each letter, the word is written in syllables). His people were able to use these symbols to write and read. Sequoyah even taught his six-year old daughter, Ayoka how to read. Later, the Cherokee Nation used these symbols to publish newspapers and books. This award-winning (Robert F. Silbert Honor) book tells the story of a courageous and brave man leading his people through words rather than war. A legacy which remains today. Anna Sixkiller Huckaby translates Rumford's text into Cherokee and provides a translation of the Cherokee syllabary; Rumford also includes a time-line of events as well more historical details between Sequoyah, the syllabary, and the discovery of Sequoia trees. A truly fascinating and inspirational read!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton, The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola, The First Strawberries or How Chipmonk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac

Other books by this author: Don’t Touch My Hat!, Rain School, Silent Music, Tiger and Turtle, and Chee-Lin: A Giraffe’s Journey

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11

Brian Floca (2009), 48 pages

Audience: Pre-K

Format: picture book

“High above

there is the Moon,

cold and quiet,

no air, no life,

but glowing in the sky.”

Floca chronicles America’s historic launch of Apollo 11. Coupling simple prose with striking, bold images filled with astounding detail (see Figure 1). The author expertly describes and illustrates the space mission of Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin as they orbit into space and land on the moon. As part of the book’s forward, Brian Floca provides an extensive list of research resources including bibliographic material, such as Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon, NASA diagrams and photographs, visits to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Johnson Space Center in Houston to view actual “mission tools, suits, machinery.” Floca’s research is evident in his detail-rich, historically accurate watercolors; yet, somehow, this artist manages to simultaneously meld history with ingenuity creating truly remarkable illustrations that capture the excitement of discovery. For instance, the thrust of the rocket is palpable, with bold colors and an intense double-page frame, the rocket shoots off the page. His bold text choice further emphasizes the rocket’s energy (see Figure 2).

Figure 1: Mission Control











Figure 2:
Lift Off


Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh or If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty

Other books by this author: Five Trucks, The Racecar Alphabet, and Lightship (Robert F. Sibert Honor Book)