Thursday Book Club: Songs of Shiprock Fair, by Luci Tapahonso.

Confesssion: I admit to being a fan of Ms. Tapahonso's work. Luci's writing, I think is better read aloud then you can fully experience the charm and poetic cadence of this wonderful Navajo storyteller. Illustrated by Anthony Chee Emerson, Songs of Shiprock Fair is a children's story from the point of view of Nezbah, the little girl who's preparing to go the Shiprock Fair for traditional food, games and rides, and most importantly. . . to receive her annual blessing from the Navajo Yei dancers under the "glowing moon in the west above the Carisso Mountains."

David King Dunaway, in his anthology Writing the Southwest, best describes Luci as "ethereal yet immensely powerful." As did Sherman Alexie, author of Smoke Signals, when introducing Ms. Tapahonso in Seattle recently at Counterbalancearts.org's "Meet the Poet" series.

This book offers a wonderful visit into the Southwest Navajo Nation's culture, by way of an invitation to the ceremonial dance.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did reading it to Ella. For more information on the poetry readings at Counterbalance Arts. org, link to http://counterbalancearts.org/