An open book
Miss Navajo instilling the love of reading

Miss Navajo Yolanda Charley reads to Seth Tapahe, 5, left, and her sister Sydney Tapahe, 11, at the Navajo Nation Library in Window Rock on Thursday as part of an after-school reading program for youngsters. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Adron Gardner

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Two youngsters browse through the books at the Navajo Nation Library on Thursday afternoon looking for a book to be read to them in the children’s corner. They settle on “No Jumping on the Bed” by Tedd Arnold and turn it over to the reader.

The reader in this case is Miss Navajo Nation 2008-2009 Yolanda Charley. Charley opens the book and reads to Sydney, 11, and Seth Tapahe, 5, as they read along with another copy of the book.

Miss Navajo has just started a weekly reading program for children at the library and is planning to continue it through the summer. Children show up and choose a book for Charley to read to them.

“It’s funny,“ Sydney said about the story after she finished.
Seth, a kindergartner, is still learning how to read, so he enjoyed the book.

After reading to the Tapahes, Charley joined another family. Sitting on the floor in her gold colored traditional attire and Miss Navajo crown, she read to 4-year-old Triston Tsosie.

“This is our first day down here to attend anything like this,” Edith Tsosie, Triston’s mother, said. “It’s nice. It neat to have Miss Navajo come in and read to kids.”

The Office of Miss Navajo and the library want to instill love of reading in young children, Charley said.

“Opening a book can take you places,” she said.

This is the third week since the program started. Last week, she read aloud a book about flutes.

“It’s been really good,” Charley said about the program. About seven to 10 children show up. Some make the most of the activity with a trip to the zoo as well, she said.

At times, Charley also does arts and crafts with participants.

During the reading, she stops and asks questions of the listeners.

“We started the reading program to get children away from doing mischievous things,” she said.

She credited Linda Curtis with the library staff for approaching her with the idea.

Miss Navajo reads whenever she gets a chance.

“Usually when we travel,” she said.

She is currently reading the book, “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West” by Dee Brown.

“It’s a very emotional story,” Charley said.

The reading program is scheduled to be held Thursdays beginning at 3:30 p.m. Call ahead to confirm it will be held.

Information: (928) 871-6526.