Supper for Crow

Children's Literature - Judy Silverman

Morgan relates a Northwest Coast Indian tale as she heard it from a Makah elder. It's a typical story of the trickster Raven. Raven as usual gets his supper while the too-trusting Crow family goes hungry. "And that's all." Some more sensitive children might be upset at the trickery that leaves the baby crows hungry. It's told simply and directly, and illustrated magnificently. The baby crows nearly dance right off the page.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4Mischievous Raven tricks Mama Crow into believing that he is helping her secure some seal meat for her children. Then, he tricks the young birds into believing that he is cooking the meat for them. The lessons, on greed and on trust, are made entirely by implication in this traditional Makah trickster tale. The illustrations effectively pair black ink outlining with soft gouache bodycolor: the style is bold and dynamic. A ladybug adds a spot of red (and extra interest) to every spread. In the background, in contrast to Raven's selfishness, the Makah people are seen as a community. (Mama Crow's headstrap basket is modeled after theirs.) Native flora and fauna add unobtrusive local flavor. Even the fact that Crow and Raven resemble one another suggests another level to the message.Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI