Based on the true story of Florida’s Pocahontas
Available as a chapter book and junior graphic novel.
She is a princess who longs to escape.
He is a conquistador looking for adventure.
Life in the village will never be the same.
“…a welcome addition to personal and public library children’s graphic novel collections, highly recommended… also available as an illustrated chapter book…” –Children’s Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
“We enjoyed the book very much. It was right on target with our Native American Unit and the students were very interested and engaged. It gave them more insight as to what life was actually like then …. especially as Uleyli is a child around their age.” –Kerri Stolz, Fifth Grade Teacher, Celebration K-8, Celebration, Florida
Description:
Uleyli is a princess–but she isn’t happy. She’d rather create art and make crafts than rule. When the Spanish boy Juan Ortiz is captured by Uleyli’s father, she sees a way to escape her life in the village. But when an attempt to flee to Cuba with Juan brings more problems than solutions, Uleyli will need to use the power of her creativity to rescue her new friend, her village…and herself.
This book was inspired by the true story of a young Native American woman, Ulele, known as Florida’s Pocahontas. The beautiful art and simple text paint a picture of life in 16th-century Native American villages in what is now the southeastern United States. This is a story celebrating Ulele’s creativity and non-violent heroism.
Uleyli: The Princess & Pirate is available as a 94-page chapter book with black and white illustrations (for grades 1-3) and as a 34-page junior graphic novel with full-color illustrations (for grades 4-6). Don’t miss seeing Uleyli’s adventures in full color!
You might like this book if you are looking for:
- Native American children’s books;
- books for girls age 6-12;
- Native American history books for kids;
- history books for children;
- strong female childrens book;
- historical fiction for children age 6-12;
- coming of age books for girls;
- florida history for kids
- adventure books for kids;
- strong female protagonist
- Native American spirituality
- Native American wisdom
- Native American mythology
- Native American art
- books for kids age 6-12
There’s more than one way to be a hero.
Reviews:
“This was a real treat–an exciting story with a powerful message, what’s not to love? It’s always a pleasure to read a children’s book with a female main character who uses her brain to solve her problems (Uleyli’s passion for art is really inspiring). Plus, the Native American history in the book was all new to me and very interesting. This would be a great gift for kids–or adults, honestly–who love art, adventure, or history.” -Amanda Lee, Toronto, Ontario
“I loved this book. Having grown up on Magic Tree House and Disney, I had heard all the usual stories about Pocahontas and Pompeii etc. But I’d never heard the more obscure stories, like Uleyli’s, and reading this now I wish I’d had a book like this when I was growing up. The story is compelling, the drawings are beautiful, and the book gives light to a culture and history largely skipped by textbooks.” -Amazon Customer
Author Note:
I started researching ancient civilizations and the histories of native people in what is now the southeastern United States about eighteen years ago. I have always been fascinated by history and the details of little-known stories. Those years of research inspired me to explore the story of Ulele and Juan Ortiz, Florida’s very own Pocahontas and John Smith.
As a father raising a young girl, I am always on the lookout for stories that are educational and that have strong female characters. Sadly, my daughter has read through most of the books out there, so I decided to combine my love of history and research with her love of graphic novels into Uleyli: The Princess & Pirate. This book celebrates Ulele, a young native woman whose bravery and resourcefulness inspired an enduring legend. It is my hope that boys and girls alike will enjoy learning about Ulele’s strength and importance in history and take away positive messages about non-violence, creativity, and kindness.
Author Bio:
G.C. Daniels is a researcher, writer, TV Producer, explorer, and dad in Florida. He has crouched, crawled, and climbed his way around ancient sites in ten countries on three continents. He began researching Native American history in the Southeast United States during graduate school and launched dedicated websites, including LostWorlds.org and TheNewWorld.us, to share his research. After years of research, he decided to create a graphic novel for his daughter to share his passion for ancient worlds and local cultures. Inspired by the idea that you have to put your art out there and ultimately your social networks make it succeed, he believes Uleyli’s story will inspire creators, makers, and artists.