Crow Helps a Friend by Andrea Fritz focuses on social-emotional learning and literacy development. In Social Studies, the book reinforces concepts of community and cooperation through Crow’s journey of helping a friend. It supports Language Arts by prompting discussions on empathy, friendship dynamics, and problem-solving strategies illustrated in the story. The narrative also enhances Personal and Social Development by encouraging students to recognize and manage emotions, fostering emotional intelligence crucial for their social interactions. This book teaches Hul'qumi'num and Coast Salish art.

Furthermore, the book complements Visual Arts by inspiring creativity through its vivid illustrations depicting natural settings and character emotions. Overall, Crow Helps a Friend serves as an enriching resource for educators seeking to integrate these essential learning outcomes into their Kindergarten to grade 3 curriculum.

Other End Matter: Language, Coast Salish art chart
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Andrea Fritz (Lyackson First Nation of the Hul’q'umi’num'-speaking Peoples on the West Coast of Canada)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: David D., Indigenous Educator & Administrator, Indigenous Books for Schools

Andrea Fritz is a Coast Salish artist and storyteller from the Lyackson First Nation of the Hul’q'umi’num'-speaking Peoples on the West Coast of Canada. She studied West Coast Native art with Victor Newman, a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw master artist. Andrea strives to express her People’s history and all our futures using her art and stories. She focuses on animals and places of the West Coast and our intricate relationships with them. Andrea works in the mediums of acrylic on canvas and wood, serigraph, vector art and multimedia. She has had numerous gallery shows of her work and participates in community-based art pieces. Andrea lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Andrea Fritz's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

“The tale is intentionally moralistic and repetitive; it would make a great read aloud…This book is especially suited for school libraries in the Pacific Northwest or any collection expanding its Indigenous collections.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“Told in deference to a traditional Coast Salish tale, and utilizing the artistic style of those First Nations people, the story of wood duck, crow, and squirrel offers readers a story that focuses on friendship, cooperation, and coping with loss. The inclusion of Salish vocabulary is a plus because it lends authenticity to the tale while simultaneously honoring its sources.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Shares Indigenous storytelling and ways of learning with young readers of all backgrounds. [Fritz’s] work, using traditional art and storytelling, brings forward her Coast Salish culture and knowledge. Highly recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials