From the Heart: Why Baby Raven Reads Matters
Everything we do at Trickster Company begins with something that calls to us—a place in the heart that needs attention. For our Operations Manager, Dawn Dinwoodie, that place is often books.
When her mother-in-law first asked if Trickster Company would carry the award-winning Baby Raven Reads children’s book series, the answer came easily. It felt like coming full circle. Dawn was taken back to her own childhood, where she found comfort and safety in the library—sitting quietly with a librarian nearby and her nose deep in a book.
But those early reading experiences were also marked by something missing.
Growing up in Fairbanks in the 1970s and 80s, the books in school libraries reflected lives far from Alaska. They told stories of other places, other cultures—but not her own. Not once did she read a book by an Indigenous author. Not once did she encounter a story centered on Native people. Even in history books, representation was scarce—reduced to a single photo of Sitting Bull with only a caption, no real story, and no connection to Alaska Native cultures.
That absence stayed with her.
So when Dawn first read the Baby Raven Reads series, it was an emotional experience. These books are rooted in Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida cultures—written and adapted by Indigenous authors and elders, with illustrations created by Indigenous artists. For the first time, children from these communities could see their own languages, stories, and identities reflected on the page.
That representation is powerful. It’s something Dawn never had growing up—and it’s something she knows matters deeply.
These books don’t just serve Indigenous children. They also invite readers from all backgrounds to learn about Southeast Alaska Native cultures in an authentic and respectful way. Each story carries knowledge, values, and creativity forward to the next generation.
One of the artists who has helped bring this vision to life is Michaela Goade. She and Trickster Company connected in the early days, when the company first launched in 2014. Inspired by the mission, Michaela collaborated on Trickster’s first wholesale catalog. From the start, she brought a thoughtful, gentle approach to her work—and her talent was unmistakable.
Her illustrations are immersive and full of life—drawing readers into the sea, the forest, and the berry bushes. They evoke a deep connection to place and make you want to step outside and experience it for yourself. It’s no surprise she went on to receive the prestigious Caldecott Medal for her work on We Are Water Protectors.
When you purchase a Baby Raven Reads book from Trickster Company, you’re also supporting something bigger. A portion of each sale goes directly to programs at Sealaska Heritage Institute, helping fund language revitalization, cultural education, and youth development. Many of the books in the series have been honored by various organizations and notably, was selected as a 2017 Best Practice Honoree by the Library of Congress for outstanding contributions to literacy.
Reading these books brings her back to those childhood library days—the excitement of choosing a story, checking it out, and stepping into another world. But today, there’s something even more meaningful happening.
Children are now reading stories that reflect who they are.
Native children are seeing themselves in books—learning their languages, hearing their stories, and understanding the value of their cultures. That kind of representation builds confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging that wasn’t always available before.
And for Dawn, that’s everything.
We invite you to join us in celebrating children, storytelling, and Native culture through the Baby Raven Reads series.
Upcoming Exhibit
This spring, you can also experience the work of Michaela Goade in person. Her exhibition, Michaela Goade: Song of the Seasons, is on view at the Anchorage Museum from May 1, 2026 through next year.
Learn more here: https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/exhibits/michaela-goade-song-of-the-seasons/