Author To Know Patricia Hruby Powell
June 2005
Patricia Hruby Powell was a dancer and choreographer before starting her journey into the writing world. When asked why she made the transition into writing, she explained that a dancer's stage life is short. The body is under constant strain and “legs aren't really designed to extend up to your ear.” Patricia wanted to have the ability to walk into her old age but knew she still had something to say, even if that meant discovering a new outlet for expression.
As a child growing up in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago, Powell would often attend musical and theater performances with her sister and parents. Her sister loved the theater and Powell loved the dance. The day after watching the performances, Powell would mimic what she saw, dancing all over the living room as records played in the background. Some moments she would “catapult over the back of the sectional, bounce off the sofa cushions.” Powell definitely had a creative nature from the start, as demonstrated by how she and other neighborhood children would play in the woods and fields that surrounded their neighborhood. “Our expansive play area was a fertile ground for active imaginations,” she said. “I wouldn't trade my upbringing for any other.”
Powell was on tour in South America with her dance company, One Plus One, when she started writing in order to pass time during the long wait backstage. She began an autobiographical novel, which told about moving to Europe to dance and, while she was away, finding that her boyfriend from home had been killed in a motorcycle crash. Powell worked on this novel for two years, but “I never submitted it,” she said. “It was pretty awful, but I knew I wanted to write.” After earning a master's degree in library science, she had intentions of becoming a librarian. Instead she became a storyteller, although she did work as a substitute children's librarian at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, IL.
Powell understands both dancing and writing require discipline and devotion. Dance requires commitment from the body and writing requires commitment from the mind. "Writing feeds something in me," she said. "It exercises my mind - makes me solve problems creatively - takes me into worlds of my own invention, places I enjoy going." Writing gives Powell a new way of self-expression without the physical demand her body tolerated while dancing. "You can express ideas that you don't even realize you know," Powell explained. "You can discover what you know, by writing." Her first book for Salina Bookshelf, Inc. was Zíiniyah: Hait’éego Naadáá’ Shónáozt’e’ (Zinnia: How the Corn Was Saved). Based on a folktale Powell discovered in a book of gardening stories, she first adapted it for an unpublished collection entitled Bloom Tales. After reading about Salina Bookshelf in a newsletter, she decided to submit the manuscript to them. She is pleased to be an author on the Salina Bookshelf roster because “there is no other publisher, producing books of this caliber, for children, bilingually, in first nation languages,” Powell said.
Powell was “deliriously happy” when she held her first copy of Zinnia. The copy was unbound, a mere scroll of pages, and had no accompanying illustrations. Therefore, Powell was awestruck when she saw the incredible illustrations by Kendrick Benally. “Kendrick is an exceptional artist,” she said.
Once again, Powell and Benally are paired on a new project, Frog Brings Rain. With Benally responsible for bringing Frog's journey to life, Powell knows she will love the illustrations. “I think the story is wonderful and I figure I'll love the book,” she said. Frog Brings Rain is an adaptation of an old Navajo folktale. This story was first collected by Frances Newcomb, who owned a trading post near Blue Mesa in the early 1900s. Powell was drawn to the story because it is a tale of generosity and she has a “thing” for frogs.
An additional pleasure Powell has as an author is visiting schools, where she talks and reads to students. From May 11 - 13, Powell visited schools in Bloomfield, NM. Powell asked students about their literary activities - who read, who told stories, who wrote stories, and who visited the library. She encouraged students to continue those activities. Powell also spent an evening at the Bloomfield Public Library, where she was joined by Peter Thomas, the Navajo translator for Zinnia. Together they read Zinnia, Thomas reading the Navajo portion and Powell reading the English portion. “The Navajo language is beautiful, fascinating and unusual to my ear, filled with clicks and varied intonations,” she said.
As Powell has experienced both sides of the creative fence, as performer and writer, one has to wonder which gives her the most enjoyment: dancing or writing. In Powell's words, “I experience times of ecstasy in each. I couldn't say which I preferred. They feed different needs, one of the body, one of the head. Each is a necessary expression for me.”
For more information: www.talesforallages.com
Baby Book Series & What Does 'Died' Mean? New Releases!
August 2005
Baby is on new adventures! This time she is learning about seasons, time, senses, and weather. These books are delightful to read to your children, and the colorful illustrations by Beverly Blacksheep add to the reading pleasure. Watch your “baby book” collection grow by adding these titles.
Baby Learns About Seasons: In each of the four seasons, Baby participates in activities with different members of the family. For instance, in the summer Baby gathers corn pollen with Grandmother and goes with Mother to gather ripe peaches. Follow Baby as she learns about the seasons.
Baby Learns About Time: Today is Baby’s birthday and she has all sorts of fun events planned for different times of the day. The morning, the afternoon, and the evening all have their separate activities. Follow Baby through her day and enjoy the party along with her.
Baby Learns About Senses: As Baby helps Grandmother prepare supper, she experiences the various sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures that are associated with cooking. What meal will Baby prepare for the family? Read and find out!
Baby Learns About Weather: Baby enjoys different activities in different types of weather. Sun, rain, snow, and many other types of weather are introduced and learned. Join Baby and see what she does when the weather changes.
What Does ‘Died’ Mean?, Ha’íishá Óolyé Daaztsá? by Marjorie W. Thomas. Baa Yázhí, a young Navajo girl, misses her grandfather. One day he had gone to the trading post, but then he had never come back. Is he still at the trading post? Will he one day come riding up the road? Baa Yázhí is sure that he will, and she watches the road for him. Grandmother has told Baa Yázhí that Grandfather has died, but Baa Yázhí does not understand the meaning of death. However, by listening to some simple illustrations from Grandmother, Baa Yázhí slowly comes to understand. By the end of the story, Baa Yázhí is reconciled to the loss of her grandfather and can even understand what has happened when the family sheep dog brings home a limp rabbit.
Children who read What Does ‘Died’ Mean? will also learn about diabetes, what causes it, and prevention methods. Diabetes is a disease that affects 18.2 million people in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. This disease is especially common among Native American populations. More than 107,000 Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have diabetes, according to American Diabetes Association. If you work for a school or a health organization, consider using What Does ‘Died’ Mean? as a way to help explain diabetes to children.
Day & Night and Turkey & Giant Featured Books
Written by Nedra Emery
Illustrated by Verna Clinton
Day & Night
Day and Night, Ji dóó Tl’éé’ is an adaptation of a Navajo folktale. The animals of the day and the animals of the night agree to play a shoe game. The team with the most correct guesses will decide what to cloak the earth in, day or night. For some strange reason, the game continues without a finish in sight. Will the game ever end and a winner declared…or is one team cheating?
Another collaboration between Emery and Clinton is Turkey and Giant, Tazhii dóó Yé’iilbáhí.
Turkey & Giant
Giant is hungry and he thinks Turkey will make a satisfying meal. Turkey does not want to be Giant’s next meal. What will Turkey do? Fortunately, Turkey has become friends with Horned Toad. Only Horned Toad knows the secret to defeating Giant. Will Horned Toad tell Turkey the secret? Read both stories and discover why these folktales have entertained generations of Navajo children.
Navajo Festival of Arts & Culture
August 2005 | Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff AZ
“Read in Beauty” stated a colorful sign that was displayed outside a white tent. The sign was an inviting gesture to visitors as they stopped at Salina Bookshelf’s booth during the 56th Annual Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture July 30-31 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Salina Bookshelf braved monsoon weather to participate in the museum’s annual event that included over 50 artists’ booths, offering varieties of artwork from different areas of the Southwest.
Salina Bookshelf had the prime location near the museum’s main entrance. This location gave the company the opportunity to greet visitors as they entered and exited the festival. Customers huddled under the company’s tent to look at and purchase books. Festival attendees spent time talking with Salina Bookshelf employees and inquiring about the Navajo culture. Many were pleased to know there is a company producing books and other materials in the Navajo language. People continually praised the quality of the books and their beautiful illustrations.
“It is interesting your first year,” said Leisa Raphealito, assistant graphics designer at Salina Bookshelf. “All types of people showed up.” In addition to assisting customers, Raphealito enjoyed looking at the dozens of Navajo-inspired and Navajo-produced items that were for sale.
Salina Bookshelf hosted multiple book signings at their booth. There were book signings by Baje Whitethorne, Sr. (Father’s Boots and Sunpainters: Eclipse of the Navajo Sun), Martha Blue (Little Prankster Girl), and Evangeline Parsons Yazzie (Dzáni Yázhí Naazbaa’: Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home). Whitethorne signed both days and also presented a lecture entitled, “Traditional Culture Influencing Modern Art” at the Babbitt Reading Room inside the museum.
Meanwhile, in other areas inside and outside of the museum, every imaginable art creation was for purchase. Crafts for sale ranged from Navajo-inspired Christmas ornaments to lamps that had hogan-shaped stands. It was easy to get lost when browsing the booths that where housed inside the museum’s many corridors. Outside the museum were more merchant booths and a performance area.
This was Salina Bookshelf’s fourth time at the event. The festival focuses on Diné traditions and the Navajo philosophy of "hozho". Hozho is the idea that everything is good and incorporates harmony, beauty, blessing, and balance. Salina Bookshelf is looking forward to next year’s festival of arts and culture.