How Raven Got His Crooked Nose

An Alaskan Dena'ina Fable

Mindy Dwyer illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Graphic Arts Books

Published:8th Oct '20

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How Raven Got His Crooked Nose cover

  • Author events and interviews in Alaska.
  • Promotion to AKLA librarians through listserv and at tradeshow, including teacher guide.
  • Targeted reviews and features in national trade and education, regional, and Native American media and online sources.
  • National promotion through CBC Diversity Goodreads list, submitted for Notables, and targeted author blog about underserved market and why many Native Alaskans don’t write.
  • Promotion and giveaway at September American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association tradeshow, at October Alaska Federation of Natives conference, and during November National American Indian Heritage Month.

2019 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable and American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) 2018 Best Book.

Chulyen the trickster raven loses his nose one day, but he vows to get it back. Luckily he has some special powers to help him!

How Raven Got His Crooked Nose is a modern retelling of a traditional Native American fable. Part picture book and part graphic novel, this beautifully illustrated story teaches an important lesson to children through Dena'ina mythology and includes a glossary of Dena’ina words to learn.

“Working in graphic novel–style panels, Dwyer introduces Chulyen, who is boldly depicted with patterned black and purple plumage and lime-green eyes. . . use of strong contrasting colors brings a fresh, modern sensibility to this tale, while patterns and motifs are suggestive of traditional Dena’ina art.” * Publisher’s Weekly *
"In this retelling, which is gently laced with Dena'ina vocabulary, readers learn not only a cautionary tale, but also facts about the culture. . . Both entertaining and instructive, a refreshing breath of air from the far north." * Kirkus Reviews *
"The conversational writing style and the clean layout design make this an easy read-aloud choice to share with a group. VERDICT A fine addition to nonfiction collections to highlight Dena'ina culture and traditional stories." * School Library Journal *
"Dwyer’s illustrations are eye-catching; the raven is bold and loud while the narrators and their setting are soft and subtle. The story is told with care and respect, passed down from the authors’ own ancestors. This lesser-known tale from a distant and possibly unfamiliar culture will broaden and enhance any collection of folk literature. Background information about Dena’ina history and culture is also included. Additional Resources. Glossary." * School Library Connection *
"One of the best books I have read all year! A wonderful trickster tale, set as a morality tale for children in the most clever, dramatic way. Just perfect illustrations in tandem with the authors' tribute to their family's storytelling traditions, and to a language with less than 100 who still speak it today. I was so intrigued, I've done further research on Chulyen the Raven, as I've mostly read trickster tales from elsewhere. Said the raven to me: Read some more!". --Carl Lennertz, Children's Book Council Bulletin

  • Joint winner of ALSC Notable 2019 (United States)
  • Commended for Represents State of Alaska at National Book Fest 2018 (United States)

ISBN: 9781513264394

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

32 pages