The Butterfly Dance [Hardcover]

Third in the acclaimedTales of the Peopleseries, this tale of a young girl's first Butterfly Dance captures the spirit of the Hopi culture.

With its bright, stylized illustrations and distinctive Native voice, this appealing book gives a vivid sense of stepping into another culture. It chronicles one important day seen through the eyes of a young Hopi girl named Sihumana, or Flower Maiden, who is a member of the Rabbit Clan and winningly portrayed as a rabbit. After going with her grandfather to greet the sun and bless the day, Sihumana travels with family to another village to take part in the traditional Butterfly Dance, performed late each summer in order to bring rain to the dry lands of the Southwest. The tale ends happily with the sound of rain on the roof and the promise of butterflies in the days to come.

Created with the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI),Tales of the Peopleis a series of children's books celebrating Native American culture with illustrations and stories by Indian artists and writers. In addition to the tales themselves, each book also offers four pages filled with information and photographs exploring various aspects of Native culture, including a glossary of words in different Indian languages.

Excerpt fromThe Butterfly Dance

…After breakfast, it is time for my family to go with me to the village where the Butterfly Dance is held at the end of every summer.

Before I leave, my best friend, Sakwapumana, gives me sweet blue-corn snacks. “Just like your name, Sakwapumana!” I say, because Sakwapumana means Blue Corn Maiden.

“Have a good trip, Sihumana,” says Sakwapumana. “My family will not leave till later, but I will see you at the dance. We would not miss this special day!”

I say good-bye, and we start on our journey, which will take several hours.

As we walk to the village, Kwa&l£¼