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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 5, 2008
South Dakota State Historical Society book wins two more awards
PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota State Historical Society has picked up two more awards for its multi-award-winning children’s book series, The Prairie Tales.
Dance in a Buffalo Skull,by Zitkala-Ša with illustrations by S. D. Nelson, has been honored with a prestigious Aesop Accolade from the American Folklore Society. At the same time, illustrator Nelson, a Standing Rock Sioux tribal member, has been specifically acknowledged for his work on the book with a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Best Illustrator.
The Aesop Prize and Aesop Accolades are awarded annually by the Children’s Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society for English language books for children and young adults that reflect the culture and worldview of the people whose folklore is the focus of the book. The awards committee commended the South Dakota State Historical Society Press for “the fine work you are doing in presenting quality folklore to children as you seek to preserve South Dakota’s colorful culture and heritage.” In 2007, Tatanka and the Lakota People: A Creation Story also received the Aesop Accolade.
The Moonbeam judges awarded 138 medals from a field of more than 1,000 entries in 31 categories.
“Creating books that inspire our children to read, to learn, and to dream is an extremely important task, and these awards were conceived to reward those efforts,” said Jim Barnes, the awards organizer.
These are the third and fourth national awards for Dance in a Buffalo Skull, following its first two from the Mom’s Choice Awards earlier this year, which included the top prize of Most Outstanding Children’s Book of 2008.
“It is most gratifying to be lauded for doing something that I love,” said Nelson upon learning of his recognition and the book’s success.
“It is most gratifying to be lauded for doing something that I love,” said Nelson upon learning of his recognition and the book’s success.
Dance in a Buffalo Skull is the second book in the Prairie Tale Series. The third, The Prairie-Dog Prince, by Eva Katharine Gibson and illustrated by Carolyn Digby Conahan, is now also available. The fourth story, The Raccoon and the Bee Tree, by Charles Eastman and Elaine Goodale Eastman, will be published in 2009.
Available for $14.95 plus shipping and tax, Dance in a Buffalo Skull can be purchased from most bookstores, or ordered directly from the South Dakota State Historical Society Press. Visit www.prairie-tale.com or call (605) 773-6009.
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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.