Author's Presentation Tells of Life On the Northern Plains Before the Horse

When Spotted Flower and the Ponokomita came out twenty-five years ago, author K Follis Cheatham never imagined it would be a constant seller into the 21st century.

Helena, MT (PRWEB) January 10, 2004

The book SPOTTED FLOWER AND THE PONOKOMITA is a middle-school chapter book that takes place in the early 18th century. That was the era when the American Indians of the Northern Plains got their first look at a horse (ponokomita). Ms. Cheatham's accurate research tells about a lifestyle that existed thousands of years before the horse arrived to the area, and enhances the lively adventure of a young girl who comes across a horse and takes it back to her people.

"When I first jotted down the story idea, I had my own kids in mind," Cheatham says. "I wanted them to know a history that isn't often presented, especially about the Blackfoot Nation--part of our family ancestry."

First published in 1978 by Westminster Press, The book sold well, especially when Ms. Cheatham was at a speaking engagement. The publisher phased out the line of books that included her title. But interest in the book continued. "This book is recommended for any child seeking to learn more about life among the early Montana Indians and makes a valuable contribution to the collection of children's books dealing with Montana," wrote a Great Falls Tribune reviewer of the first edition.

"I was really surprised when I learned the book was mentioned in a library guide for children," Cheatham says. "In Kansas in the late eighties, children were to look up my title and learn about the author."

When her supply of the book was down to less than a dozen, Cheatham decided to publish a second edition. KAIOS Books released this in 2001, with cover and illustrations by Louise Ogemahgeshig Fischer, nationally noted American Indian (Anishnaabeg) artist. The history end notes of SPOTTED FLOWER AND THE PONOKOMITA include places to visit as well as interesting Internet sites. Cheatham has also developed a Teacher's Supplement with additional history notes and project ideas.

"I put together the supplement thinking mostly of parents who home school. I home schooled my children for a while and always appreciated fresh ideas."

Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch , (Volume 12, Number 2, February, 2002) says, "Spotted Flower And The Ponokomita would make a welcome addition to a classroom or home-schooling Native American studies curriculum supplemental reading list, as well as any school or community library collection."

With this second edition, there is another attraction to the book — the lively historical presentation K Follis Cheatham gives for young readers. Entitled "Dog Days to Horse Culture," Cheatham has been asked to schools and libraries to talk to students. Cheatham says, "Teachers and librarians appreciate the facts behind the fiction story."

One school in western Montana purchased a book for each of their twenty-five students. Cheatham autographed the books after her presentation.

Ms. Cheatham refers to "Dog Days to Horse Culture," as her dog and pony show. Along with hand-drawn map of North America to chart horse migration to the Northern Plains, she uses toy animals to show how dogs carried packs and a horse (to scale) pulled a travois. She also talks about the rich culture of Northern Plains people before the horse came along, and what changes occurred after the horse arrived.

"I have worked a lot with young people," Cheatham says. "And I know they appreciate history when it's entertaining. I keep them entertained in my presentation and with the book."

Along with directing a children's choir and coaching soccer for eight years, Cheatham has been an assistant director for a Prevent High School Dropout program in North Carolina, given in-school writing workshops through the national Pencil project, and done volunteer tutoring in her hometown Helena, Montana.

SPOTTED FLOWER AND THE PONOKOMITA was Cheatham's first book, and she has published several other books for young people since then. Her 1982 title THE BEST WAY OUT (out of print) was voted a top-50 social studies book by the National Council for the Social Studies--Children's Book Council Joint Committee. DENNIS BANKS NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST is a juvenile biography that was Finalist for the 1998 SPUR Award. Cheatham's 2001 title CROCODILES, part of Lucent Books' Endangered Species series, is found in schools and libraries.

SPOTTED FLOWER AND THE PONOKOMITA is available at online bookstores. ISBN 0-9714287-1-9 Autographed copies can be purchased through http://www.WritersWest.com. Contact K Follis Cheatham through her web site for more information and to schedule her presentation and autograph session. http://www.kaios.com/karyn/