She sang promise : the story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole tribal leader

I read She Sang Promise today and as I read the book I enjoyed it. It had really good colorful illustrations. Also, the text wasn't too hard to read so She Sang Promise is a good book for anybody. This book is a story of Betty Mae Jumper that became a Seminole Tribal. Since she was determined to get an education, she became a nurse that helped a lot of other people. When she was little, the Tribal Elders wanted to throw her away but in the end, she became the first woman Seminole Tribal. Like I said, it's a really good book and if you like learning about history this is a book that was made for you.

Greetings to our Readers.

The team that brings you this creative non-fiction picture book, illustrator Lisa Desimini, Moses Jumper Jr., who wrote the book's letter to children in the afterword & myself, the writer, feel children of all ages will want to know about the story of Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, SHE SANG PROMISE. 

It begins with Betty Mae Tiger's amazing childhood outdoors & her desire to learn to read & rides through her exciting life that included  bringing medicine to isolated camps, sometimes against the wishes of Elders, becoming the first elected woman leader of her Tribe, editing a newspaper, telling legends, singing on music CD's, creating patchwork clothing, writing books & even, wrestling alligators.

Here is a portion of the letter Moses Jumper, Jr., son of Mrs. Jumper, writes to children in this book:

   "Estonko , hello, to the children.

    I have many good stories about Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, one of the strongest people I

    have ever known. One involves a bicycle...

    One morning our truck broke down. I thought there would be no school for me that day.

     But my mother found a bicycle, held it steady, and told me to climb up on the handlebars.

     So picture us: 

     My mother in her traditional Seminole patchwork long skirt, pedaling a

     bicycle along the road with me balanced in front....

     I am pleased you have decided to read this special story about the amazing life of Betty

     Mae Tiger Jumper and about our proud people...

      Sho na'bish , thank you.

      MOSES JUMPER, JR..

The author writes:

Many years ago when Mrs. Jumper attended a Native American festival, quite unexpectedly I met her, after I picked up a newspaper from a stack on a craft table & began reading. After some time a voice said,  "You can have it." I was startled because I hadn't seen the speaker seated low on a folding chair behind a pile of rainbow colored patchwork clothing. But now I said,  "I know who you are, you're  famous!"

Mrs. Jumper & I  launched into a conversation - about The Seminole Tribune, the Tribal newspaper she edited. That led to our staying in touch. And that led to her authorizing me to bring her story to young readers.

Years before in 1967, when I was in school in Sarasota, Florida, my mother clipped a newspaper article when Mrs. Jumper won the election to lead her Tribe. My mother told me to keep the story, because it was important.

From the beautiful photograph that appeared with the newspaper article, I recognized Betty Mae Jumper all those years later, at the Native American festival.  It seemed to me like the completion of a circle.

Here are two reviewer comments:

"This enchanting tale of a Seminole Indian tribal leader named Betty Mae Jumper evokes simpler times in the Everglades of Old Florida. Through text by Jan Godown and brightly colored illustrations by Lisa Desimini, SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper follows the life course of a remarkable woman who became a nurse, a wife and an arts and crafts dealer, an alligator wrestler, a news editor, an intepreter, and finally, the elected head of her tribal government. An epilogue brings her story up to date. Children from three to ninety-three will enjoy this happy book."

MICHAEL GANNON, named a Literary Legend, 2009 Florida Heritage Book Awards, noted historian of Florida topics, including from the University of Florida Press, Florida: A Short History , a book also also a spoken word CD.

"It is no accident that Seminole leader Betty Mae Tiger Jumper authorized Jan Godown Annino to write her life story for children.  The poetic prose of She Sang Promise rings with authenticity, and the accompanying illustrations by Lisa Desimini are engaging and powerful.

Once nearly killed as a child for having a white father, the colorful book follows Betty Mae as she struggles to walk in two worlds to eventually become a voice for her people, both as a gifted storyteller and one of the first female tribal chairmen. Readers will find inspiration in this tale of perserverance, determination and adaptability.

I would have cherished this book if it was available during my childhood, and so I will cherish it now as an adult because it breathes with the spirit of wild Florida and of an unconquered people struggling to cope with a changing world. I hope this book brings Betty Mae Tiger Jumper the wider recognition she deserves. "

DOUG ALDERSON, longtime Florida environmental educator, author of eco-heritage books including, The Ghost Orchid Ghost and Other Tales from the Swamp.

A resource of note:

If you are interested about children's literature topics involving Native Americans (American Indians is preferred by many today) http://www.oyate. org & http://www.oyate.com are crucial to know.