Children's Fiction Native American
Raven Brings the Light
A Northwest Coast Legend
- Publisher
- Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2013
- Category
- Native American, Native American, Native Canadian
- Recommended Age
- 3 to 6
- Recommended Grade
- 3
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781550175936
- Publish Date
- Apr 2013
- List Price
- $19.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
In a time when darkness covered the land, a boy named Weget is born who is destined to bring the light. With the gift of a raven's skin that allows him to fly as well as transform, Weget turns into a bird and journeys from Haida Gwaii into the sky. There he finds the Chief of the Heavens who keeps the light in a box. By transforming himself into a pine needle, clever Weget tricks the Chief and escapes with the daylight back down to Earth.
Vividly portrayed through the art of Roy Henry Vickers, Weget's story has been passed down for generations. The tale has been traced back at least 3,000 years by archeologists who have found images of Weget's journey in petroglyphs on the Nass and Skeena rivers. This version of the story originates from one told to the author by Chester Bolton, Chief of the Ravens, from the village of Kitkatla around 1975.
About the authors
Roy Henry Vickers is a renowned carver, painter and printmaker whose Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino, BC, has become a provincial landmark. Roy was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 1998 and to the Order of Canada in 2006. He is the co-author of the immensely popular children's Northwest Coast Legends series, of which three books were shortlisted for the Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award: Raven Brings the Light in 2014, Cloudwalker in 2015 and Orca Chief in 2016. He is the author of several other books that showcase his art, including Storyteller (Harbour Publishing, 2014). He currently lives in Hazelton, BC.
Roy Henry Vickers' profile page
ROBERT « LUCKY » BUDD est un auteur canadien, spécialiste de l’histoire orale et animateur de radio. Il est connu pour ses récits sur les pionniers de la Colombie-Britannique ainsi que pour ses collaborations avec l’artiste Roy Henry Vickers.
ROBERT BUDD is an author, oral historian, and radio host who has written more than a dozen books for children and adults, many of them in collaboration with renowned artist Roy Henry Vickers. When he is not writing he can often be found playing baseball or hockey, coaching kids, or playing his guitar. He lives in Victoria, B.C. with his family and rescue dog.
Awards
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Award
- Short-listed, Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award
- Commended, First Nation Communities READ also-recommended title
Editorial Reviews
"One of the great problems we face today is our sense of isolation and separateness from the rest of the world. Roy Henry Vickers' art constantly reminds us of the interconnectedness of everything in the world. With this magnificent book, he shows us our interdependence physically and spiritually. It is a message we have to hear."
-David Suzuki, environmental activist, broadcaster, author
Librarian Reviews
Raven Brings the Light
This is a masterful book retelling the classic Northwest Coast legend of the origin of daylight on earth, as told to Roy Henry Vickers in 1975 by the Kitkatla Chief of the Ravens, Chester Bolton. The tale has been passed down for over 3000 years through the oral tradition. This fine art version rings strong and true. A special child is born who can transform into the Raven, trick the Chief of the Heavens and bring the light to his dark land of Haida Gwaii. The compelling storytelling resounds with Vickers’ striking, powerful artwork and mystical shadow images that accentuate layers of meaning in this vibrant version of the traditional tale.Vickers is an acclaimed BC Aboriginal carver and printmaker who received the Order of Canada in 2006.
Budd is an oral historian living in Victoria, BC.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2013-2014.
