Ages 4-8., Grade 1 Up- All the world is in darkness at the beginning of this traditional tale from the Indian cultures of the Pacific Northwest. With this orb-the sun-firmly in his grasp, the cunning creature changes back into a bird and soars off whereupon "Raven threw the sun high in the sky, and it stayed there." With this masterfully executed reworking, McDermott adds to the folktale bookshelf a work in the grand tradition. The doting grandfather, wanting the boy to be happy, commands that Raven-child be given an effulgent ball that he discovers in a shimmering box. The trickster sets his plan in motion by being reborn as son to the Sky Chief's daughter. Raven's sadness at seeing men and women living "in the dark and cold," without the warmth of the sun leads him to search out light. The illustrations, in striking contrasts, echo the central theme of the birth of the sun by visually leading readers from darkness into light-McDermott adroitly juxtaposes a blurred backdrop of mist-drenched landscape against the sharp, bright colors of Raven himself and the glowing interior of the Sky Chief's domicile.
McDermott is not only a picture-book artist of the first rank, but also one of our most gifted retellers of myth and folk tale.- The New York Times Book Review, McDermott's crisply elegant version of a traditional Native American tale resounds with lyrical prose and the stylization of myth. "A fast-paced, heartwarming adventure." Kirkus Reviews "Those who look to fantasy for well-imagined situations and settings will find an ample supply in this one." Booklist, ALA, star Amusing and well-conceived.- School Library Journal (starred review) star Elegant.masterfully executed.- Publishers Weekly (starred review) Mr.
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