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Uplifting Cultural Knowledge with Navajo Picture Book Author Daniel Vandever
Episode 56
On the surface, Diné author Daniel Vandever's picture books might appear to be straightforward stories, but the messages about the power of imagination and adventure in his books are imbued with layers of meaning. In his book Fall in Line, Holden!, a little boy breaks free from the constraints of rules and discipline by using his imagination. On a deeper level, the book speaks to the history of Indian Boarding Schools in pushing cultural assimilation.
Likewise, in his wordless picture book Herizon, a girl goes on a magic scarf ride to find her lost sheep. This book is imbued with symbolism about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic, as well as cultural references to the Navajo Nation. Herizon was nominated to represent New Mexico at the 2024 National Book Festival.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Fall in Line, Holden! by Daniel Vandever
Herizon by Daniel Vandever
We Weave by Daniel Vandever
New Mexico representation at the 2024 National Book Festival
"A Brief History of Navaj- Churro Sheep" in the Spring 2025 issue of El Palacio
Deb Haaland's Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report: Volume I and Volume II
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Roadrunner's Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know what you loved about the episode, share a personal story it made you think of, or ask us a question at elpalacio@dca.nm.gov. You can write a regular email or record a short voice memo and attach it for us to l
Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago