The Cannibal Monster [drama review]

• Main Author: Stevens, Robbie;
• Other Authors: Bruchac, Joseph, 1942-;
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: Play review; Plays; Drama > Reviews; Children's plays; Indians of North America > -Juvenile drama; Alaska > Juvenile drama; Tlingit Indians > Juvenile drama; Fairbanks; tlingit; Alaska
• Online Access: http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/CBPR/id/765

The Cannibal Monster. 10 pp. A K-3 On the far Northern coast of Alaska live the Tlingit people, who, among other things, carve totem poles. On one totem pole found at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, the story of the Cannibal Monster is carved. The Raven is the narrator of the story. The Cannibal Monster follows the people around from village to village and eats them for his meals because he is always hungry. Raven knows the people are scared of the monster and don't like being eaten, so he decides to do something about it. Raven tells Brown Bear to shoot the monster in the left heel. Brown Bear tells the people to do the same, but the people are too frightened, and Brown Bear must face the monster alone. When the Cannibal Monster comes at him, Bear shoves the spear into his heel. The monster dies, and the people are very happy and thankful. They decide to burn the monster's body to get rid of it. Raven, knowing this to be a bad idea, tells Brown Bear to tell the people, but none of them listen to Raven or Bear. As the body burns, small things fly out of the fire and smoke and begin biting the people. These little things are what we call mosquitoes. This play has speaking roles, nonspeaking roles, and a drummer. Costuming is simple, with few props and masks. From: Bruchac, Joseph. Pushing Up the Sky. Dial, 1999. ISBN 0-8037-2168-4. $17.99. 94 pp. A K-3 Reviewed by Robbie Stephens 10:00 PM Children's Book and Play Review, September/October 2000