Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How Raven brought the people of the world the gift of light, 14 Mar 2004
One of the recurring figures of myths and legends from around the world is the trickster, known as Zemo the Rabbit in West Africa, Jabuti the Tortoise in the Amazon, and Raven in the Pacific Northwest. Indeed, from the coast of the Pacific Northwest to as far north as Alaska it is Raven who is the central character in many Native American myths and tales as a trickster of a cosmic scale, who might be a mischief-maker but who is also a cultural hero. Both brave and cunning, Raven is a shape-shifter who has magical powers. Sometimes he causes havoc with his mischief, but other times he gives his people gifts like that of fire.In this Caldecott Honor Book "Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest," Gerald McDermott retells a story that is told in various versions among all the tribes of the area. When he sees that the world was in darkness and the people lived in the dark and the cold Raven wants to give them the gift of light, but that means he has to find out where the Sky Chief keeps that particular treasure. So he goes to the house of the Sky Chief and, seeing the Sky Chief's daughter, Raven changes into a pine needle that falls into the water so that when she takes a drink she swallows the pine needle. Then the girl gives birth to the Raven as a boy child. Young readers will enjoy the great length to which Raven goes to bring the people of the world the gift of light as well as the way McDermott contrasts the sharp colors of Raven with the pastels of the world in which he lives and plays his tricks. McDermott has written and illustrated many books on myth, such as the Pueblo myth of the "Arrow to the Sun," and the African tale of "Anansi the Spider." Other books in this series tell other tales of the trickster from around the world, giving young readers and teachers alike ample evidence that this is indeed a universal figure. However, children should be warned that as they find other stories of Raven that he is not always as generous as he is in this particular tale.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The tale of the Raven and the Sun., 29 May 1999
By A Customer
This book for children is based on the myth of the mischievious Raven from the Indians of the Pacific Northwest and how the Raven discovered the Sun and placed it in the sky. The book was a 1994 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book. Every child I've come across has enjoyed this story and loved the illustrations.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book for children, and a wonderful story!, 14 Jan 1997
By A Customer
I bought this book on a whim for my daughter, as I am a
great fan of Native American mythology and beliefs. I
got it after a short wait, and looked through it.
The artwork is simply amazing; beatiful, detailed pictures
accompany each portion of the story.. Even the surprised
looks on the faces of people as Raven plays his trickster
games is done magnificently!
The story itself is well written. It's the basic and ancient
legend of how Raven stole the sun, but done very well, in
language that even young kids can understand. It's a fun
story to read, too, since you can make the book come alive
by adding a few of your own choice sound effects, and just
watch the look on your son or daughter's face...
But, best of all, children love it. When I first read it to
my four-year-old, her eyes lit up, she became completely
drawn into the story, and laughed and giggled as Raven did
his thing. She even demanded that I read it over again - a
rarity for my daughter, since she has a huge library of her
own now!
I'll buy anything else I can find from this author. He won
a Caldecott for this book, and small wonder; his work is
absolutely magnificent, and I recommend getting it in
hardcover because you'll wear the covers off a softcover
version! Enjoy it!
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