Raven by Gerald McDermott

Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest is one of several books by writer/illustrator Gerald McDermott that details the story of one of the world's many mythical trickster figures. This particular book, a Caldecott Honor Book from 1994, follows the shapeshifting Raven from pacific northwest Native American folklore as he tries to bring light to the cold dark world.

The art is very unique, McDermott depicts Raven in bold geometric forms that mirror the traditional totemic art of the region, while the world and people around him are depicted in a more detailed modern style. The result is that Raven feels otherworldly and magical in his environment. This style also allows young readers to easily identify raven even as he changes his shape to a pine needle and a human child to achieve his mission.

The story, which has Raven infiltrate the village of a powerful man called Sky Chief in order to steal the light that will later become the sun, is told in simple clear sentences using words that young readers can easily understand. McDermott utilizes some fun techniques such as repetition (the sun is hidden in a box within a box within a box, for example) to add humor to the story and make it engaging without distracting from the simple folklore elements of the plot.