Diné author Roberta Tom inspires young dreamers with debut children’s book
Courtesy | Roberta Tom
“Bebe Bear and Her Dream Adventures at Masani’s” is written and illustrated by Roberta Noell Tom. The book is about a Diné girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut, engineer, and more. The book encourages children to explore their aspirations and ask questions about their future.
By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times
CHINLE – Roberta Noell Tom, an accomplished Navajo professional from Stealing Rock, released her first children’s book, “Bebe Bear and Her Dream Adventures at Masani’s.”
The book, which was published by Fulton Books, is now available at major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Walmart. Through the story of Bebe Bear, a young Navajo girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut, engineer, and oceanographer, Tom hopes to inspire children – especially those in the Navajo Nation – to dream big and pursue their passions.
Tom, who is Áshįįhí born for Nát’oh Dine’é Táchii’nii, is a U.S. Navy veteran and aerospace professional living in Phoenix who wrote and illustrated the book during a period of unemployment in 2023. “I had this idea that I wanted to finish a book I had started,” she explained. “I had started with an idea a few years prior, like in 2021. When I was laid off, I was able to just complete the book––wrote it and illustrated it.”
To read the full article, please see the Feb. 6, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.
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