Jingle Dancer

New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text is paired with the warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu in this affirming story of a contemporary Native American girl who turns to her family and community.

The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing tink, tink, tink, tink...

Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family and intertribal community. She hopes to dance at the next powwow.

But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem--how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?

A terrific read-aloud pick, perfect to share with a family member!

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books

Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu have illustrated many distinguished picture books, including Jewels, by Belinda Rochelle (Dutton), which was selected as a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. The couple lives in New York City with their daughter and son.

Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu have illustrated many distinguished picture books, including Jewels, by Belinda Rochelle (Dutton), which was selected as a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. The couple lives in New York City with their daughter and son.

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the bestselling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including Firefly Season, Jingle Dancer, Indian Shoes, On a Wing and a Tear, Sisters of the Neversea, the Blue Stars series, Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Harvest House, and Hearts Unbroken, which won the American Indian Youth Literature Award. Cynthia is also the anthologist of Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. She has been honored with the American Library Association's Children's Literature Lecture Award and has been named the NSK Neustadt Laureate. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Endowed Chair on the faculty of the MFA program in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Denton, Texas.