Native American Night Before Christmas

by Gary Robinson, Jesse T. Hummingbird (Illustrator)

Overview

An innovative retelling of the classic Christmas tale, this full-color book takes a whimsical look at what Christmas Eve might be like for a Native American family when Old Red Shirt (the Native American Santa Claus) comes a-calling with his team of flying white buffalo to deliver fry bread, commodities and other goodies. Renowned Cherokee artist Jesse Hummingbird’s inspired illustrations transform the author’s playful adaptation into a fresh and modern work of art. A delight for people of all ages and cultures, especially those interested in Native customs and art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781939053305
Publisher:	Book Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/27/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 11.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD910L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Award-winning writer and filmmaker Gary Robinson (Choctaw/Cherokee descent) has worked most of his life to create Indigenous content in dozens of Indigenous educational, informational, and documentary television projects. He is the author of sixteen books, including eight books for teens in the PathFinders series. Gary lives in Santa Ynez, California.

Jesse Hummingbird (1952-2021) was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and was a member of the Cherokee Nation. He became a full-time artist in the early 1980s, using a traditional “flat-style” that was made famous by earlier Native Oklahoma artists. In 2015, Jesse was named a Tribal Elder by the Cherokee Nation, and in 2017, a National Treasure, an honor given by the tribe to those who are helping to keep Cherokee art and culture alive.

Editorial Reviews

For a child, the poem presents an old story in a new light, complete with a Native Santa clad in buckskins, beadwork and carrying a medicine bundle. If that's not tradition, I don't know what is. As for the adults sharing the story, this is a poem that will at the very least, make you smile.

The Circle News

Jesse Hummingbird’s inspired illustrations transform Gary Robinson’s playful adaptation into a fresh and modern work of art. A delight for people of all ages and cultures, especially those interested in Native American customs and art.

Goodminds