On the surface, Diné author Daniel Vandever's picture books might appear to be straightforward stories, but the messages about the power of imagination and adventure in his books are imbued with layers of meaning. In his book Fall in Line, Holden!, a little boy breaks free from the constraints of rules and discipline by using his imagination. On a deeper level, the book speaks to the history of Indian Boarding Schools in pushing cultural assimilation.

Likewise, in his wordless picture book Herizon, a girl goes on a magic scarf ride to find her lost sheep. This book is imbued with symbolism about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic, as well as cultural references to the Navajo Nation. Herizon was nominated to represent New Mexico at the 2024 National Book Festival.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Fall in Line, Holden! by Daniel Vandever

Herizon by Daniel Vandever

We Weave by Daniel Vandever

Salina Bookshelf

New Mexico representation at the 2024 National Book Festival

The Long Walk

Livestock Reduction Act

"A Brief History of Navaj- Churro Sheep" in the Spring 2025 issue of El Palacio

Navajo Code Talkers

Deb Haaland's Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report: Volume I and Volume II

The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

Roadrunner's Dance by Rudolfo Anaya

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin

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Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio MagazineExecutive Producer: Daniel Zillmann Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. RuizRecording Engineer: Collin Ungerleider and Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa FeEditor & Production Manager: Alex RieglerAssociate Producer & Editor: Monica Braine (Assiniboine/Lakota) Theme Music: D'Santi Nava Instagram: @newmexicanculture and @elpalaciomagazine