The Eagle's Gift

by Rafe Martin, Tatsuro Kiuchi (Illustrator)

Marten loved to roam the vast land with his bow and arrow. But then his two older brothers went off seeking adventure and never returned. Now his parents fear for Marten's safety. But Marten must find his own way in the world, and so he sets off, meeting a mysterious eagle who promises to return his brothers if he will agree to an unusual request. And as Marten's spectacular journey begins, the eagle is transformed before his eyes into a man who will teach him how to bring joy to people through song, dance, storytelling and community in this magical retelling of a traditional Alaskan story that captures the spirit and strength of the Innuit culture.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 1997

About the author

Rafe Martin is an award-winning author and storyteller, as well as a lay Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani koan line. He is founding teacher of Endless Path Zendo, Rochester, NY.

He is the recipient of the prestigious Empire State Award for the body of his work, as well as multiple American Library Association Notable Book Awards and Parent's Choice Gold Awards. He has been featured at such storytelling events as the Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth and Story, The Sierra Storytelling Festival, and the National Storytelling Festival. He is the father of two grown children and lives with his wife, Rose, in Rochester, NY.

Reviews

[Jaide]

Some lovely otherworldly imagery. I still don’t understand why his brothers were taken away, though, before being allowed to return.

[Kate Edmonds]

I liked reading this book and hearing ways to help spread joy because joy is so important to surround yourself with but I did leave with some confusion about some aspects about the book.

[Forked Radish]

The eagle’s gift is definitely better than the seagull’s gift. 🦅

[Jim]

in which The People learn joy...