Native Book Sharing Workshop
Recorded January 28, 2022
During this three-hour workshop, participants learned about the importance of incorporating oral storytelling and books that celebrate native people and cultures into their work with young children. Daniel Vandever (Diné) talked about the process of writing the children’s books Fall in Line Holden! and Herizon and demonstrated how children’s books can be used to teach young children about native history and culture. Ken Duncan (San Carlos Apache) discussed how oral storytelling can be used to promote early literacy. He shared some of the stories that are important to the San Carlos Apache people and offered ideas for how to incorporate them into lessons and activities for young children. Following these two presentations, workshop participants broke into small groups to share books for young children written by native authors and/or that celebrate native people and cultures.
View a recording of the workshop
Download Book List Shared During Workshop
See what participants said about this workshop
About the Presenters
Daniel Vandever (Diné) is a product of Small Wonders Day Care where his experiences as a Ninja Turtle helped shape the creativity behind his debut picture book, Fall in Line, Holden, a 2017 American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Vandever is the owner of South of Sunrise Creative, a strategic communications firm that helps advance education initiatives through community-based strategies. Herizon (2021) is Vandever’s second book, and first book published by South of Sunrise Creative. Vandever is from Haystack, NM and is the grandson of the late Joe Vandever Sr., Navajo Code Talker, USMC, and Bessie D. Vandever. Vandever's book Herizon follows the journey of a young Diné girl as she is asked by her grandmother to help retrieve a flock of sheep. Join the girl in her adventure across land and water aided by a magical scarf that will expand your imagination and transform what you think is possible.
Ken Duncan (San Carlos Apache) is an accomplished cultural teacher, flute player, artist and storyteller. He is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts. Duncan is the founder/director of a renowned family-based business, Yellow Bird Productions. Duncan was named Culture Keeper of Arizona by Arizona’s Governor’s office in 2004 and was recognized with the Arizona Native American Business of the Year Award in 2015.