Sika and the Raven: Based on Native American Legend (a Dr. H. Book.) - Hardcover

Gr 1-3-Sika, a generic Indian girl, spends time with her uncle, who is a healer. She accompanies him as he visits other villagers and collects medicinal plants. When they visit a newborn child, Sika expresses a longing for a baby of her own. Uncle Eli then tells her a legend about another little girl who had the same wish. She was told by Grandfather Turtle that she could have her own child if she could care for Raven for one year. When she released the bird, supposedly for a brief time, and it chose not to return, the promise was broken, and she had to wait for a baby; Raven was punished as well, losing his colorful plumage and beautiful voice. The rich, full-color paintings are energetic and engaging. Unfortunately, the text is of a lesser quality. While the story is didactic, the message is unclear. The title page states that the book is "based on Native American legend" but no nation is identified, and the story doesn't clearly describe any particular culture. Statements about herbal medicine and other aspects of village life are too general to add to readers' sense of any actual ethnic group. While the text speaks of a jungle environment, the pictures are more indicative of the American Southwest. An attractive, but marginal, purchase.-Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS

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