Other Books Designed by Elaine Cimino

All three iBooks contain an illustrated alphabet by Elaine Cimino. You can find the Clip Art for Diné (Navajo) Language alphabet in the shop on this website.

Jack Crowder iBooks

While not part of the Born To Draw series, the following iBooks we’re designed and illustrated by Elaine Cimino for LIONap.com

The prior print editions, authored by Jack Crowder, have been used to teach the Diné (Navajo) Language and are a historical account of life on the Navajo Reservation over 40 years ago. Now available on the iTune Store, these iBooks are written as digital bilingual e-readers that can be used in the classroom for learning the Diné and English language.

Jack and Christina Crowder lived on the Navajo Reservation while Jack worked as a heavy equipment operator. He and his wife became friends with their neighbors and he began to document the lives of the Diné people. He was inspired to write stories for young children. His beautiful photos are exquisite historical accounts of the way of life for the Diné. Please contact us for more information. Translation was provided by Frank Morgan Sr. in the 1950’s and Frank Morgan in 2012.

Tonibah and the Rainbow

Tonibah and the Rainbow is now available!

After a fire destroys Tonibah’s home on the Navajo Reservation, friends come together to build her family a new hogan (the traditional Navajo style house). Life on the reservation is challenging, yet family, love, and respect provide a fulfilling way of life.

When I came across this author I was please to see that there was someone who wrote children’s stories in both English and Diné (Navajo), language. It is important to preserve the Diné language and bring an historical understanding of the Navajo culture as it was prior to the 1970’s. It is the first Navajo children’s iBook that I have seen. The photographs are amazing documentation the life of Diné young people, their environment and their relationship with their elders on the reservation. This iBook is a treasure in the tradition of good storytelling for all who read them.

New Release!

Stephanie and the Coyote

“Stephannie and the Coyote” is a story of a young navajo girl who face the challenges of a traditional life on the Navajo reservation of the early 1960’s.

Illustrated with beautiful and unique photos by the author, the story tells of a time and life on the Navajo Reservation over forty year’s ago. A time with challenges and lessons that remain as relevant today as they were then. Presented in English and Diné (Navajo) this book maybe used for teaching English or Diné (Navajo). An illustrated Diné /English glossary and a list of common Diné words from the story is provided.

New Release!

Haskie Runs Away

Available now through the iTunes Store.

A young navajo boy finds himself in a strange and challenging place when he is sent for a boarding school. Missing his home and longing to care for his lambs, he runs away from his new school experience, but soon discovers he is lost. On his journey Haskie finds he has more to learn than just a new language, and that going to school is only one kind of education. Haskie’s grandmother and grandfather are there to guide him, too, along with the new relatives he didn’t even know he had.

New Release!

Chernobyl Through the Eyes of Children

Available now at the iTunes Store

The following books are also under development and should be coming soon:

• A book based on the Native American Story “Who Speaks For Wolf” Due out in 2012
• A children’s drawing book based on renewable energy