I am raven : a story of discovery / COPY 2

by David Bouchard

Other authorsAndy Everson (Illustrator.)
Paper Book, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

FIC BOU c. 2

Call number

FIC BOU c. 2

Local notes

Shelved in Aboriginal Collection - Youth

Description

I am often asked how a person comes to know their totem. When I am, I answer by asking this question: "If at night, before you close your eyes to travel to your dream time, if then you picture one of your wild cousins to whom you might ask guidance or give thanks, what would it be?" More often than not, your totem will be there, right before your eyes. You do not have to get fancy, just close your eyes and let it come to you. Chances are it will. It did for me. Written by Métis author, David Bouchard and illustrated by west coast First Nations artist Andy Everson, I Am Raven explores the world of totems and animal spirit guides. A great, kind and wise chief decides to erect a new totem pole. Knowing that he will soon die, the chief wants the pole to be representative of him but also to reflect the importance of others in his life. A series of birds and animals then try to convince the chief that their image should be carved into the chief's totem pole.I am Raven was the winner of the 2008 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Gold Medal for Best Multicultural Picture Book.This audio enhanced edition features the voice of David Bouchard, accompanied by traditional music and the evocative sounds of animals and the forest.… (more)

Publication

North Vancouver, BC : MTW, [2008]

User reviews

LibraryThing member ChristineRobinson
This book is touted as a traditional Aboriginal retelling of a story the author heard from his grandmother about how to find yourself while finding your Totem. It has elegant illustrations and a strange choppy flow to the text, but when read aloud it sounds much better.
I had originally disliked
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this book quite a bit, but after reading Betsy Hearn’s articles Cite the Source and Respect the Source I reread it and changed my evaluation. It has an acceptable, not ideal, source note at the back and goes into greater detail about various totems in the end pages, although he never mentions from which Aboriginal group the story comes. Perhaps better examples of this type of book are available.
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LibraryThing member jwyss
Author: David Bouchard (Métis)
Illustrator: Andy Everson (K'omoks & Kwakwaka’wakw)

This book is an allegory – the chief is searching to understand his true nature/character. During his search of identity, the chief seeks counsel with the various animals of the forest. The chief wants to erect a
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totem to reflect his true self and the beaver, bear, wolf, eagle, and otter are eager to win his favour by providing him with gifts. However, it is raven that sheds light on the chief’s quest by asking him to look at his reflection in the water.

Artist Andy Everson has created exquisite full-page scenes. With mastery over his craft, he mixes realism with the imagery of the mystic world. His artwork is a perfect pairing to the text.

A beautiful book that is sure to capture all readers’ imagination time and time again. The theme of self-discovery transcends all cultures and will be appreciated by those who read the story and see the illustrations.

Themes: First Nations, identity, self-discovery, and art.
Grade level: grade 3 to intermediate
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ISBN

0978432703 / 9780978432706

Barcode

97809784327062
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