Crossing Bok Chitto

Citation:

Tingle, Tim. 2006. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos.

ISBN 9780938317777

Summary: 

In the early 1800’s, the Bok Chitto river divided the Choctaw Nation and a series of plantations. A young Choctaw girl, Martha Tom, wanders across the river and discovers a congregation of slaves from the plantation having Sunday morning service. She befriends Little Mo and when his mother is sold to another plantation, Martha Tom and her Choctaw family lead Little Mo and his family to freedom.  

Critical Analysis: 

Crossing Bok Chitto is a touching and inspiring story rich in culture, not only of the Choctaw heritage, but the African American experience, as well. The story is told simply, yet has a powerful message of friendship, courage, and hope. The language is easy to follow for all ages and the inclusion of a native Choctaw wedding song, as well as a Choctaw translation of the classic hymn “I am bound for the Promised Land”, are authentic, interesting touches.  Since author Tim Tingle is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, there is definite sense of credibility in the creation of the book.  He includes several pages of factual information concerning Choctaw storytelling, a brief history of the Choctaw Nation, and short reasoning as to why the book was written and how the story has come to be; “Crossing Bok Chitto is an Indian book, written by Indian voices and painted by an Indian artist.”

 

The acrylics provided by Jeanne Rorex Bridges are realistic and moving. Characters are lifelike and it seems as if they almost stare out at the reader from the pages. Colors are muted, but detailed in clothing, backdrop, and facial expressions. Skin tones and hair are accurate to both the Choctaw and African American characters. Choctaw characters are represented in standard period dress consisting of long cotton dresses with aprons and moccasin shoes. The flowing white cotton dresses illustrated during the Choctaw wedding ceremony and the escape (depicted on the cover, as well) are beautifully simple and bright. Strangely, the river is barely noticeable in most pictures. Bridges represents this key element of the story with little color, thus giving many of the illustrations a murky quality.

 

Review Excerpt(s):

“…the artist has done a wonderful job of depicting all of the characters as individuals, with many of them looking out of the page right at readers.” ~ School Library Journal

 

“This book unites the spoken language of story with the visual language of paintings to pass on a story that tells something important about its people.” ~ The Lorgnette- Heart of Texas Reviews

 

Connections:

Other books by Tim Tingle:

Tingle, Tim. 2007. When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Folktale from the Choctaw Nation. Ill. by Stacey Schuett. Atlanta, GA: August House LittleFolk. ISBN 9780874837773 

Tingle, Tim. 2010. Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light. Ill. by Karen Clarkson. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos. ISBN 9781933693675

 

Classroom Activity: Teaching books.net has some great resources for introducing Crossing Bok Chitto including author interviews and audio files with pronunciation explanations, Tim Tingle’s website, and lesson plans.

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=1600&a=1