Chia and the Fox Man : An Alaskan Dena'ina Fable

A beautifully illustrated Alaska Native story of a young boy and his encounter with the fabled Fox Man, and how doing the right thing isn’t always easy but important in the end.

Life is hard for Chia. His village doesn’t have enough food and every day there are many chores to do. Chia always goes to bed hungry and tired, until one day in the middle of the night he wakes to a strange noise. He decides to investigate―and meets the legendary Fox Man. Will the Fox Man be able to help Chia and his village?

By the same team who brought you How Raven Got His Crooked Nose, this modern retelling of a traditional Dena’ina story teaches young readers that there is strength in humility and in doing what is right, especially when it’s hard. Also included is an author's note about Alaskan Dena'ina stories, plus a glossary of the Dena'ina words and their pronunciation.

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.