When Chris and Toby Greyeyes find a raven in the garage, they try to trap it and hurt it with hockey sticks. To them, ravens are just a nuisance because they spread garbage all over the street. Or so they think—until a mysterious man who smells like pine needles enters their lives and teaches them his story of the raven.
In this intriguing book, George Littlechild, internationally acclaimed artist and author of the Jane Addams Award-winning book This Land Is My Land, returns to collaborate with Richard Van Camp, an exciting voice in Native American literature.
Set in the Northwest Territories of Canada, Richard’s contemporary story draws from the animal stories and folklore told to him by his Dogrib elders. George’s bold use of color and perspective captures the sense of mystery and magic surrounding the strange raven man who teaches the boys the meaning of respect for nature.
Richard Van Camp is a young writer and member of the Dogrib Nation from the Northwest Territories, Canada. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria and the En'owkin International School of Writing. He recently published his first novel and his stories have been featured in many collections.
George Littlechild is an internationally renowned artist from the Plains Cree Nation. His first book for Children's Book Press, This Land Is My Land (1993), was the winner of both the prestigious Jane Addams Picture Book Award and the National Parenting Publications Gold Medal. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
"The style successfully captures both the magical element of the raven and the strong presence of the storyteller. The intriguing story and powerful artwork will attract young readers." —School Library Journal
". . . it will still have children considering the consequences of cruelty, and Littlechild's bold, stylized artwork will not only draw them in, but have them reaching for paints and paper." —Kirkus Reviews
"The author brings Native American culture and past teaching methods into today's world to show that our culture is very much alive. The book can be used from many perspectives: culture, art, environment, morality, and psychology.” —Rethinking Schools
"Richard Van Camp's engaging story is perfectly showcased by George Littlechild's bold and colorful illustrations." —The Midwest Book Review
