Trickster: Native American Tales

Trickster: Native American Tales

book

2016

WISE
91%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A shape-shifting graphic novel where Coyote, Rabbit, and Raven prove that being the smartest person in the room usually gets you into trouble.

Amazon4.6
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a top-tier addition to any kid's bookshelf. It’s rare to find something that hits the 'educational' mark without feeling like homework, but Trickster pulls it off by leaning into the weird, funny, and occasionally dark side of folklore.

It’s visually engaging enough to compete with modern comics, but it leaves kids with a much deeper understanding of Native American cultures than they’ll get from a textbook. It’s smart, it’s a little bit wild, and it’s definitely not boring.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 8 to 12 crowd who are into graphic novels like 'Wings of Fire' but are ready for something with a bit more cultural meat on the bones. Adults will honestly enjoy the art just as much.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
84

These stories aren't about being 'perfect'—tricksters are inherently messy and mischievous. But the cultural grounding and the way it models the consequences of being too clever for your own good is great for emotional intelligence.

Imaginative
95

The anthology format is a visual feast. Because every story is illustrated by a different artist, the book constantly resets your brain with new styles, from cartoony to high-concept fine art.

Safe
96

It's a graphic novel collection of folklore. You might see some 'cartoon' style trickery or animals being jerks to each other, but there's nothing here that's going to traumatize a kid or require a parental warning label.

Enriching
92

This is a masterclass in cultural literacy. It moves past the generic 'Native American' monolith and shows specific tribal traditions and storytelling rhythms that don't always follow a predictable Western 'happily ever after' structure.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • The 'anthology' style means if a kid doesn't like one story or art style, they only have to flip a few pages to find something totally different.
  • It’s a fantastic antidote to 'brain rot' content; these stories have survived for centuries because they actually say something about human nature.
  • The graphic novel format makes complex cultural folklore accessible to kids who might otherwise find a wall of text intimidating.
  • It features over 20 different Native American storytellers, providing actual authenticity rather than a 'Disneyfied' version of history.
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What to Watch For

  • Tricksters are often selfish or dishonest—that's the point, but younger kids might need a reminder that Coyote isn't exactly a role model.
  • The art quality varies wildly; some sections look like professional masterpieces while others have a more 'indie' or amateur vibe that might lose some readers.

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think the trickster always tries to take the easy way out even though it never works?"
  • "Which art style in this book was your favorite, and why did it fit that specific story?"
  • "If you were a trickster animal, which one would you be and what kind of prank would you pull?"
  • "Did any of these endings surprise you? Why didn't they end with a typical 'and they lived happily ever after'?"

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