THE STOLEN SUN

Weaving together important themes in Native Alaskan culture, Hall (The Hard to Swallow Tale of Jonah and the Whale, not reviewed, etc.) creates a hauntingly original story. Seeing the earth for the first time, Raven who lives “in a land above the sky” creates humans and other creatures to inhabit this beautiful place and bestows upon them “a special song . . . to remind them to love and respect the life around them.” But as the people grow greedy and violent, Raven casts the world in darkness and ice by taking away the sun. As he flies away, Raven plucks a “farewell feather from his breast.” Eventually, that feather falls to earth and into an icy stream. It is swallowed by a woman who goes on to give birth to a child named “Little Darkness.” When he is older, the child travels to the place where Raven lives and, seeing sunlight for the first time, picks through an icy mountain to uncover its glow. Just as he is about to unveil the sun, a piece of ice breaks away and sends Little Darkness tumbling towards his death. At that moment, Raven swoops down to save him. With Little Darkness on his back, Raven seizes the sun and replaces it in the sky, revealing Little Darkness to his worried mother and casting light upon the long-darkened world. Luxurious in detail and rendered in a rich, naturalistic palette, Hall’s intricate illustration have a folkloric feel. This, coupled with her unique perspective on a common theme, make the dramatic read-aloud an easy addition to multicultural collections. (Picture book/folktale. 5-9)