I Am Raven

by David Bouchard, Andy Everson (Illustrator)

Book by Bouchard, David

Genres: Picture Books, Canada, Indigenous, Childrens, Native American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators.

An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being.

David Bouchard's books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly, a Gold Medal in the 2008 Moonbeam Award for I am Raven, the 2004 Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart, the 1999 Red Cedar Award for The Great Race and the 1997 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild. An Aboriginal Carol was included in the 2008 White Ravens Catalogue.

In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."

David lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Vicki and their daughter Victoria.

-taken from the author's website

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not rate many books with five stars and really, if I were to simply consider David Bouchard's I am Raven according to how much I have in fact personally enjoyed my reading experience, I would probably be ranking this book with three or four stars. However, after reading a majorly and horribly insulting (at least in my opinion) review of I am Raven where a reader, where a reviewer is giving I am Raven a one star ranking simply because there are some who have recently challenged David Bouchard's Métis heritage (and indeed, from my own research, without much if any concrete proof), I indeed am willingly and gladly ranking I am Raven with five stars. For yes and from where I am standing, it is at best immature and at worst profoundly troublingly nasty and vile to rate a book one has not even (seemingly) read with one star and simply because there have been UNSUBSTANTIATED rumours and reports about the author's culture and ethnic background (alright, my tirade is over and done with, but yes, this did need to be said and I do feel very much better having done so).

Now with regard to I am Raven, I really do appreciate that while David Bouchard's text is full of spirituality, there also never appear instances of preachiness or demanding messages, that Bouchard obviously wants us readers to discover and to become one with our clan, to choose our animal spirit guide, our totem, but that he also and always points out in I am Raven that this is all and as it naturally and well should be our personal choice (what we ourselves desire). And while at times, I probably would have wanted and perhaps even rather needed a bit of authorial guidance choosing from the featured animal totems (as I actually from their descriptions have found rather a few that seemingly pertain to me, that seemingly suit me), in retrospect and using the internal story recounted in I am Raven, where Raven gives the waiting Chief no physical gifts (like the other animal spirits have been trying to do) but rather all-important self knowledge and confidence, I do realise that with regard to finding and choosing my animal totem, I should indeed refrain from asking to be spoon-fed (and to figure all of this out for and by myself).

So yes (and to and for me on a personal, on an emotional and spiritual level), I am Raven has totally and utterly been a wonderful and delightful, even necessary reading journey (and in particular David Bouchard's text, although Andy Everson's accompanying artwork also does very much provide an aesthetically wonderful but appreciatively understated visual mirror) and one that I do indeed very highly recommend.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

“What is my totem?” If someone asks you this question, you have David Bouchard’s permission to use his grandmother’s story about how a great West Coast chief unexpectedly found his totem. In the author’s note, the reader discovers the difference between the traditional use of the word totem — a unifying clan symbol passed down through family lines — and the looser contemporary use of the word as an animal spirit guide gifted to an individual from the creator. Bouchard’s latest picture book, I am Raven leaves the reader inspired to seek his own animal spirit guide. The great chief wants to erect a new totem pole so that his descendants may remember who he was after he dies. He invites many “wild cousins” to his lodge and explains that although he values them all, there will not be enough room on the pole to include everyone. As in Bouchard’s earlier picture book The Great Race, where animals race each other for a position on the Chinese Zodiac, each animal clamours for the chance at permanent recognition. They bring gifts and try to demonstrate how their influence has made the great chief who he is. Ultimately, it is trickster Raven who gives the chief the gift of self-knowledge. Celebrated artist Andy Everson honours the traditions of his K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw roots in the unforgettable images he creates. Each image, worthy of being hung in the most prestigious gallery, marries beautifully with the text. The cover, which depicts Raven telling stories to the moon, makes this book stand out
on any shelf. I am Raven should be in every elementary school library by virtue of both the storyline and its challenge to readers to discover their own strengths and weaknesses before trying to understand others.

Reviewed by Christianne Hayward in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2008 VOL.31 NO.2

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique story with striking, traditionally-influenced illustrations. This would make a nice discussion starter for beliefs of the American Indians of the Pacific Northwest, and the wildlife of that region.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, lovely illustrations!

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed it at work. It's... interesting. More non-fic / new-age kind of thing than a picture book or story book.

[Dread_Shdw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is I am Raven a story of discovery, the setting is a forest or a lake or even a small village, the main character(s) is the Chief and the Totems(?) Or Guardians. The main conflict was that the Chief was nearing death(?)

Yes, I think this is a good book, the art style of it and the way it’s “worded” makes me hooked to it.

I think the theme & style is very nice, reading it had me hooked to it a lot, the characterization seems like it might be how those animals act.

I think this is a 5 stars and people from 5-10+ years of age should read this as it is a photobook and it is kind of simple to understand.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book and I thought the illustrations were amazing.

[Karl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not questioning the art with my 1/5. Recently (oct 2018) Bouchard’s Metis heritage was challenged. It’s a big story in the literary community and until it’s cleared up I’m going to rate the book low in my efforts to uncover cultural appropriation. If the narrative changes I will change my review. I should note that Bouchard is a giant of the genre and this news is shocking. I truly don’t want to believe it.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art - 5/5 - Northwest Coastal Indigenous art is so beautiful and Andy Everson's illustrations are amazing
Story - 1/5 - Not sure I like the story's concept of picking your own totem, as I have often been told this is done by elders through ceremony, but I am non-Indigenous and may not be familiar with the ways of other groups who use totems

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2