2016
WISE Score
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.
4.6
4.6View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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