I would like to compare the newer edition (2021) of Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection to the one I read (2010) as some of the text used does not reflect modern expressions or what is considered politically correct. However, the afterwards of the editor Matt Dembicki, shows the process of working with the authors, storytellers and artists and the care taken to represent the people.
This is a good book to teach how cultures express themselves (language flow fits cultural influences), plus how we have changed (or not) over the years. One of my biggest takeaways was how similar some stories are to outside native cultures stories (there is one that you can liken to the Billy Goats Gruff). This shows our similarities vs the differences we think are there. Also, you can see how different cultures are similar. The stories are all based around tricksters of the culture. Sometimes the trickster character does the tricking, sometimes they are tricked, and sometimes it is a mixture. Sometimes there is not always a truly “happy ending” as we have come to know them. The second take away I had, and was more familiar with, is how things are “made.” Such as the racoon became round and limps because a stone fell on him. Or crayfish eyes pop up on stalks because of their spying on another creature. And even how rock formations happened (coyote was looking for a bride, was tricked, and turned all the people to stone).
The artwork varies from story, some realistic, some cartoonish and others something in-between. Some stories might have darker elements such as death or practices people today might not be “okay” with (there is blood showing on a hunted whale, and another story has a whale hit against the stone wall). This is a “know your reader” book. It is not for sensitive readers nor very young. The size/format (a square picture book) might turn some readers off, but it is a graphic novel with various stories attached. I would say some stories can go to the younger side, but I would recommend for at least eight and up, and the eight is only for strong readers/listeners.
The two rating is more 2.5-3 as it is an average of all the stories. I think I like the rabbit cover better, but the racoon cover fits better.
SELECTION OF OTHERS INVOLVED: Dayton Edmonds, Roy Boney Jr., Michael Thompson, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Jonathan Perry, Chris Piers, Scott White