Reviews for How Raven Got His Crooked Nose%3A An Alaskan Dena ina Fable.

by Mindy Dwyer

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A young Alaskan Dena'ina granddaughter rushes so much that her grandmother tells her about Chulyen, the raven.Chulyen's nose was once straight and beautiful. Being a trickster though, Chulyen often got into trouble. One day, he wakes without his nose (and is far too embarrassed ever to explain how it happened). Later, a Chida (old woman) finds Chulyen's missing nose and uses it as a tool until it becomes bent and worn. Chulyen decides he should use his powers to change into a human, then creates an army of sand people to scare the villagers away. He hurriedly searches Chida's house, finally finding his nose just as his magic is fading, and jams it back ononly later to discover that it's crooked and will stay that way. Both authorsa mother and sonare of Dena'ina heritage and grew up listening to community elders' stories. 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 as Chida uses Chulyen's nose in her work and in a closing note and glossary. Dwyer's illustrations range from soft tones when depicting the modern-day human characters to stark contrasting colors and bold patterns with Chulyen, the trickster raven.Both entertaining and instructive, a refreshing breath of air from the far north. (further reading) (Picture book/folktale. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.


Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When Granddaughter rushes and spills blueberries, Grandmother explains how trickster raven Chulyen's nose became bent because he hurried. After Chulyen loses his beak, an old woman uses it as a tool; Chulyen steals his nose back, but without noticing it's now worn and crooked. Sprightly comic-style art and the inclusion of Dena'ina words make this an engaging retelling from southern Alaska. Reading list. Glos. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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