The Raven and the Loon (English) - Hardcover

Born in an Arctic wilderness camp and of Inuit ancestry, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley is a scholar specializing in world religions and cultures. Her numerous articles and books concerning Inuit magic and lore have earned her a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Of Scottish-Mohawk ancestry, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley is a folklorist and fantasist, specializing in mythology, magic, and Inuit lore. He has won an award for writing short science fiction (?Green Angel?), but his focus is on fiction and non-fiction for a young audience.

Kim Smith has worked in magazines, advertising, animation, and children’s gaming. She studied illustration at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Alberta, where she currently resides.

PreS-Gr 2—Bored Raven decides to visit Loon. As he babbles on and on, Loon continues with her sewing. While watching her work, Raven gets an idea. He suggests that they each create a coat for the other; it will make them unique, as they are both stark white. Raven goes first and paints intricate designs on Loon's feathers. However, he will not sit still long enough for her to do something as beautiful for him. They become angry and argue, and Raven turns black from the soot of the lamp Loon throws, and her feet become flat after getting hit with the same lamp. And even today, Raven has black feathers and Loon has flat feet. Beautiful, eye-catching illustrations are done in soft contrasting colors, and the text is uniquely centered on spare white pages. Children will relate to the actions and feelings of the cleverly depicted characters. A good choice for one-on-one sharing.—Megan McGinnis, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY