Middle-School Reader Tells of American Indian Life On the Northern Plains Before the Horse Arrived to the Area

The setting for this chapter book is the early 18th century when the American Indians of the Northern Plains got their first look at a horse (ponokomita).

Helena, Montana (PRWEB) January 11, 2004 --Author K Follis Cheatham's accurate research tells about a lifestyle that existed thousands of years before the horse arrived to the plains of the Northern Rockies. The history she tells 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."

Twenty-five years ago, when the first edition was published, Cheatham never imagined it would be a constant seller into the 21st century.
Westminster Press brought out the first edition, complete with the author's own drawings of Indian artifacts. The next year, however, 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 a teacher-acquaintance told me the book was mentioned in her library guide for children," Cheatham says. "That was in Kansas in the late eighties; children were to look up my title and learn about the author."

Cheatham had purchased books from the publisher when they phased out the line. She took copies with her when she talked in schools or at writer's conferences, and had no trouble selling them. 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 designed 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) reported, "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 many schools and libraries to talk to students. 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 ISBN 0-9714287-1-9 List Price $12.95

KAIOS Books offers discounts to schools and libraries.
Autographed copies can be purchased through www.WritersWest.com.
Also available at online bookstores.
Contact K Follis Cheatham through her web site for more information and to schedule her presentation and autograph session. www.kaios.com/karyn/