Sukaq and the Raven

by Roy Goose, Kerry McCluskey, Soyeon Kim (Illustrator)

Sukaq loves to drift off to sleep listening to his mother tell him stories, especially the tale of how a raven created the world. But this time, as his mother begins to tell the story, he is suddenly whisked away on the wings of the raven to ride along as the entire world is formed! This traditional legend from Inuit storyteller Roy Goose is brought to life through co-author Kerry McCluskey's jubilant retelling.

Genres: Indigenous, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2017

Reviews

[Abigail]

A young Inuit boy named Sukaq drifts into a waking dream state as his anaana (mother) tells him the story of how Raven created the world. Perched on the back of the giant raven who flew through the emptiness of space before the world came to be, Sukaq witnesses the creation of the earth, from a ball of ice, as well as the birth of the sun, moon, and stars. He also sees the creation of the first human - a woman - and then the first man - Raven himself, transformed...

First heard by Inuit elder Roy Goose from his great-grandmother, Mamie Mamayauk, and then retold to journalist Kerry McCluskey, who is also the author of Tulugaq: An Oral History of Ravens , which explores the role of this bird in Canadian Arctic society, Sukaq and the Raven is an engaging retelling of the Inuit creation story. It puts the child listener, in the form of Sukaq, front and center in the storytelling process, and emphasizes the importance of dreaming, and of the imagination, when listening to traditional tales (or any story). The artwork by Korean-born illustrator Soyeon Kim, which utilizes both sketched and painted elements, has a dream-like quality that suites the text, with a tiny Sukaq riding along on the back of the giant creator-raven. Recommended to all young folklore enthusiasts, and to any children interested in Inuit culture. For my part, I came away with a desire to read McCluskey's longer work about ravens, and their cultural significance in Arctic culture.

[Amie's Book Reviews]

This is a traditional Inuit story from the Northwest Territories in what is now the country of Canada.

With illustrations so beautifully rendered that they could easily hang in any museum, and an Indigenous creation story that explains how the Inuit have historically explained the creation of the world, SUQAK AND THE RAVEN is a feast for both the eyes and the soul.

Canadians who are truly interested in being part of "Truth and Reconciliation," need to purchase, and/or advocate for books such as "Suqak and the Raven" to be  included in all home, school, and community libraries.

This children's book is being published by Inhabit Media which everyone needs to learn about. Inhabit is the first Inuit-owned, independent publisher located in the Canadian Arctic and publishes books written in English as well as Inuktitut. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and the way it was told. It reminded me of the movie "The Neverending Story" as it is told as a story within a story.

I rate SUKAQ AND THE RAVEN  as 5+ out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ and I plan to donate a hardcover copy of this book my local library.

*** Thank you to #Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***

To see some of the gorgeous illustrations from this book, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com or visit me on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/Amiesbookrev...

[Kris]

I habit Media has a great track record for publishing excellent native and indigenous picture books. This one is no exception. An Inuit creation myth reframed as a bedtime story, this is a lovely twist by a traditional Inuit storyteller with wonderful art.

[Stephanie Bange]

Sukaq listens as his anaana tells him his bedtime story of how the raven created the world. It's his favorite because it gives him the best dreams, including this one. Kerry McCluskey retells this legend she heard from Inuit storyteller Roy Goose.

The story is pleasant enough, but the star is the stunning mixed media illustrations by Soyeon Kim. Kim creates the diorama artwork using string to hang focal elements in place, creatinga diorama for each two-page spread. Each diorama is dreamy and full of textures, with wonderful sweeping lines. Colors are dark until Raven plants the seed that emerges from the ground, then throws the bright object (sun) that emerges into the sky. At that point, lighter greens, grays and browns are used. Eagle-eyed readers will notice the woman flying off on the back of raven as the child drifts off to sleep.

Optional purchase for grades PreS-3.

[Rachel]

In the Inuvialuit culture tales of Raven have been passed down from one generation to the next. Sukaq represents the latest generation in this tradition when he experiences a fantastical journey while listening to his anaana. Flying on the bake of Raven, the little boy travels high in to the sky. As they go, the enormous black bird creates the sun, moon, and even a woman partner for himself. All of this fascinates Sukaq, and the writing itself is imbued with his wonder. While this picture book is it's own story, it incorporates the creation tale that Roy Goose heard from his own great-grandmother. Soyeon Kim's dioramas bring the magic with colourful, textured skies, a starry winged Raven, and other exquisite paper elements. This is definitely one to share.

[Theediscerning]

A very pleasant way to embellish a traditional Inuit creation myth, where a boy receives the story as a bedtime tale, and dreams his way into the creation of the Earth's cosmos and humans by a mahoosive raven. It's not a huge and over-developed text, but to some extent it may have been too slender without the kid's presence, and bringing his focus into it all makes it more relatable to young readers, both in this publisher's remote audiences and elsewhere in the world. The art is fine, although I can see some very young readers not being used to the same thing (raven, snowball, etc) appearing multiple times in the same double-paged frame. Once over that tiny hurdle, this is only a success.

[Elizabeth]

I don't think I've ever been let down by anything Inhabit Media has published, and this creation story is no exception. Sukaq and the Raven is a beautifully told story, with lots of heart and cuteness, of the Raven who created the world, the sun, the moon, and the first woman. The illustrations are lovely.

Definitely recommended for all ages (it works well as a read-aloud tale for little ones). Adults (and even MG/YA readers) who enjoy this story should check out Tulugaq: An Oral History of Ravens by Kerry McCluskey, which is filled with stories like this one (including this actual story from Roy Goose).

[Barbara]

Accompanied by spirited illustrations, this Inuit legend told by storyteller Roy Goose has been captured for a modern audience. In the story, a boy named Sukaq finds himself riding on the wings of a raven, watching as the bird brings the world to life. Many youngsters may enjoy this tale, bookended as it is by Sukaq's own mother telling him a bedtime story, and then his getting to live out part of that story.

[Barbra]

As a young boy listens to his favourite tale of how Raven created life, he falls asleep and becomes the ravens companion. He rides along on his wing and experiences the darkness and the light of the forming world. A different take on the Inuit tale of The Raven.

[Elizabeth]

This is the story of a young boy's imaginative experience of a "Raven creates the universe" bedtime story.

The opening spread of this book is more colorful than I think any of the Inhabit Media books I've read thus far. It's also the first time I've seen cut-paper/collage illustration style in one of these books.

[Edward Sullivan]

Lovely retelling of an Inuit legend reframed as a bedtime story.

[Danika at The Lesbrary]

I love Soyeon Kim's layered, multimedia, diorama-style illustrations, and the creation story told as a bedtime story is a great framing device.

[Anneke Alnatour]

Great re-telling of the creation story!

[Jess]

A sweet and beautiful creation story from the Inuit people.

[Ms. Madalyn]

Just too long for storytime.

[Morgan]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Sukaq listens to the creation story featuring the Raven. The story is framed as a story within a story. The art is beautiful. It mixes paintings of the Raven atop fabric backgrounds. Each picture is full of movement. This is a beautiful book and great for anyone who likes creation myths and folktales.

[Dan Browne]

Read this one over and over again.