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Dr. Patrick Dallabetta is a retired school principal and superintendent of thirty-seven years. He and his educational programs won many state and national awards during his career. After his retirement, he began writing about ways to improve American elementary education, addressing the declining performance of children in comparison to other countries.He then turned his efforts to writing children's books, focusing on the amazing culture of the indigenous Hopi people living on the mesas of northern Arizona. "Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance" describes one of the adventures of Thomas Polywetewa as he attempts to learn all he can about the culture of his Hopi tribe and clan.The Hopi Chu'tiva is one of the most sacred dances performed during the long Tusayan ceremony. Thomas gets to participate in part of the ceremony. Most animals play an important role in Hopi culture. Snakes, for example, shed their skins, representing a rebirth that is central to their beliefs. The ceremony is meant to please their spirits and assure the tribe receives plentiful rain for their crops during the growing season.Dallabetta's interest in Hopi culture continues to be a central theme in his children's books, as he is fascinated by the unique Hopi traditions.
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