Chia and the Fox Man

A retired teacher and village administrator, Barbara Jacko Atwater now writes books to carry forward the traditional stories of the Dena’ina people and share their history. She is the author of Walter's Story, about her great uncle Walter Johnson who was a respected Dena'ina elder, and with her son Ethan she wrote How Raven Got His Crooked Nose, a retelling of one of the exploits of the mythological trickster Raven. Barbara currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska.From an early age, Ethan Jacko Atwater found his passion for storytelling and educating children on Dena’ina folklore from his time engaging with the community and working with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council. With his mother Barbara Jacko Atwater he wrote How Raven Got His Crooked Nose, a retelling of the trickster Raven and one of his misadventures. Ethan lives in Anchorage, Alaska.Mindy Dwyer is a children's book author and illustrator and has collaborated with many people, including Barbara and Ethan Atwater on their first book, How Raven Got His Crooked Nose. She loves the possibility and adventure found in fairytales and myths, which comes across in her beautiful and whimsy art. Mindy lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she continues to dream big and wonderful stories.

“The Atwaters retell this Alaskan Dena'ina teaching story, learned from their great uncle, folding Dena'ina words in where appropriate. Dwyer's muted but lively use of color and line brings the story to life. Gracefully teaches a critical life lesson.”