Do the illustrations show all Native people looking alike or are the illustrations of people respectful (e.g., is the artwork characterizing people as childlike, out of proportion)?
Igloos are illustrated on the book cover. We do not use igloos.

Are the clothing styles, homes accurate for the culture the book represents?
The people of the Bering Sea usually made their parkas from squirrel, wolf, wolverine, and mink. Imported white Siberian reindeer fur was used for accent. Fur pants,and tasseled boots with designs made from the imported white Siberian reindeer finished the details at the top of the boots. .

The bodies of the characters are round and mummy like. Tupaq's face is very dark. All the faces look alike.

Is the illustrator Native American? No.

Are the characters using correct English or correct cultural language or interaction?

Are the words used engaging the student's interest and attention? If its for preschool to Grade 3, the book is has many large words such as "elusive"and the story is quite lengthy.

Are the characters name's respectful of the culture? Tupaq, the main character, is described as a 'lazy good for nothing.' In the Inupiat culture, where the story alludes that it comes from by the title, everyone contributes - no one is lazy.

Is the interaction in the book using vocabulary that shows respect between the characters?

I couldn't single anything out that would characterize respect.

Is the author Native American? No.

What value or belief is taught in this story? I didn't find any value in the Inupiat culture that is represented in this story.

Are Elders represented in the story? No.

How is the book portraying the knowledge of our Elders? No.

Is this story a retelling of a traditional Native story? It is a make believe story about the darkness before Raven made the sun. It is not a traditional story.

Is the person who originally told the story identified? The author made up the story.

Is the person who originally told the story given credit as a co-author? There is no co-author.

Is there written permission by the original author to have the story published? No permission is mentioned to make up a new Inupiat story about Raven.

Is the Native person in the story portrayed as a respectful, strong person? No, Tupaq is described as lazy.

Did the story give you an understanding of the culture the story represents? No, the story is not representative of the Inupiat culture. A young boy would not be sent out to live in the cold by himself. There is no mention of a mother, father, siblings, etc., its as if Tupaq was alone in the world. If he were alone, the story would mention his adoptive parents and siblings if this story were representative of the Inupiat culture.

Would you, being representative of the culture presented in the story, be proud to read this story to the public? I wouldn't read this story to the public. There are enough stereotypes of Alaska Natives being lazy good for nothings - the public doesn't need to hear this story further perpetuating myths about Inupiat.

How did you feel after reading this book? I felt the author and illustrator did whatever they could to make money. I couldn't make up a creation story and sell it to the public. As an Inupiat, this is disrespectful of the traditional creation stories.

Would you recommend this book to be used by your school district? No.

Would you recommend that if approved by the school board to have the author align the story to the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools prior to being placed in the schools? I would not recommend this story to be used in the public schools. The Inupiat or other Alaska Native children in the classroom would be stigmatized by the aggressive children and may be called 'lazy good for nothing' because they are Alaska Native.