Overview

The story of ""Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance"" reflects the Hopi culture and the adventures of the young Hopi Indian boy, Thomas Polywetewa. He is learning about the ceremonies important to the Hopi people and wants to live ""the Hopi way."" The activities during the summer Tusayan ceremony provide the basis for Thomas's adventures. The story describes Hopi life, including the snake dance, or Chu'tiva, a complex and important ceremony of the Hopis living on Second Mesa in Northern Arizona. In the book, Thomas learns more about his culture from his grandfather, the most important elder in the Snake Clan. In doing so, Thomas participates in a portion of the long Tusayan ceremony and watches the Chu'tiva, or snake dance, with his grandfather and the President of the United States. Hoping to please the Hopi spirits, the ceremony is intended to assure the Hopis of plentiful summer rains that feed their mesa lands, gardens, and fruit trees. ""Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance"" is a wonderful story that introduces readers to the unique culture of the Hopi indigenous people and the adventures of the youngster Thomas Polywetewa.

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Dr. Patrick Dallabetta is a retired school principal and superintendent of thirty-seven years. He and his educational programs won many state and national awards during his career. After his retirement, he began writing about ways to improve American elementary education, addressing the declining performance of children in comparison to other countries.He then turned his efforts to writing children's books, focusing on the amazing culture of the indigenous Hopi people living on the mesas of northern Arizona. ""Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance"" describes one of the adventures of Thomas Polywetewa as he attempts to learn all he can about the culture of his Hopi tribe and clan.The Hopi Chu'tiva is one of the most sacred dances performed during the long Tusayan ceremony. Thomas gets to participate in part of the ceremony. Most animals play an important role in Hopi culture. Snakes, for example, shed their skins, representing a rebirth that is central to their beliefs. The ceremony is meant to please their spirits and assure the tribe receives plentiful rain for their crops during the growing season.Dallabetta's interest in Hopi culture continues to be a central theme in his children's books, as he is fascinated by the unique Hopi traditions.

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