This book is a family project that began life as a 1991 animated short film. First-time author Linda Zeman-Spaleny is the daughter of Ludmila Zeman and Eugen Spaleny, the directors, scriptwriters, and animators of the National Film Board short of the same name. The text here is accompanied by images very similar to, if not replicated from, the film’s visuals.

Lord of the Sky takes place in a Canadian Pacific Coast native community prior to European contact. In true fairy-tale fashion, it serves up transgression, retribution, reparation, and reward. It tells about boys who mistreat their raven “brothers,” the ravens’ retaliation, and the adventures of a young boy who, through daring and kindness, literally “saves the day.”

Visually dramatic, Zeman’s pencil, coloured pencil, and watercolour illustrations feature sombre earth tones, some gore, and scary-looking adults. Recalling the story’s cinematic origin, film perforations frame the images.

A number of flaws undermine the overall effect, however. The tale-telling is sometimes stilted. (“They are happy in this place, as am I.”) Also, the bird lore is confusing. What is the Great Raven’s relationship to this story? Is it the Lord of the Sky? What is the boy seeking? Is it the Thunderbird? Moreover, the book’s conclusion, abruptly linking the story to current environmental concerns, is heavy-handed. Assigning responsibility to young readers in UPPERCASE and emphatic (!) punctuation is didactic overkill.

Lord of the Sky’s keenest fans will be adventure-loving boys, enthusiasts of Zeman’s art, and primary-grade educators hungry for native and environmental resources.