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

Dim Sum for Everyone

Grace Lin (2001), 28 pages

Audience: toddlers

Format: picture book

Who wants some dim sum? Everyone will after reading Lin’s book Dim Sum for Everyone. Join a family with three little girls as they go out for a tantalizing meal at a Chinese dim sum restaurant. A series of little dishes are served from carts straight to the table. Diners get to point and choose each dish; mouthwatering sweet pork buns, fried shrimp, turnip cakes, sweet tofu, and egg tarts are paraded before the reader. Ma-Ma, Ba-Ba, and all three daughters have their favorites. So everyone chooses a little dish to share “we eat a little bit of everything; everyone eats a little bit of everything.” Whether you eat out frequently or are going for the first time - it’s never too early to teach kids about new cuisines. In addition, Lin includes some historical background on dim sum’s evolution, translation, and customs. Lin’s illustrations are bold and patterned; primary colors dance across the page appealing to young children. Traditional Chinese ingredients (ginger, daikon, bok choy, taro, etc.) and other dim sum dishes (dumplings, stuffed eggplant, rice noodles) even decorate the endpapers … yummy! Parents might want to use this book in a preliminary discussion of food; for example go to the grocery store and point out new vegetables or ingredients. Expand your palette and your child’s vocabulary at the same time!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Bee-Bim Bop! By Linda Sue Park or Yum Yum Dim Sum by Amy Wilson Sanger

Other books by this author: Fortune Cookie Fortunes, Kite Flying, Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Lissy’s Friends, and Olvina Flies, and Robert’s Snowflakes