Plans for narrative

So...basically now that I've decided to focus on folklore/myths about Ravens what I would like the content of my book to be has become a lot clearer. What I would like to do is have 6 double pages, each expressing a separate myth - so 6 mini narratives within the book.

In terms of the myths the ones I am most interested are -

1. In the story of Noah and the Ark, Noah first sent a white raven (because they used to be white!) to bring proof of dry land. But the Raven proved useless and wondered off so he sent a dove instead. The raven was then forced to come back and scorched black as a punishment :(

2. According to Native American culture, there used to be no light in the world because it was kept in a box. The Raven tricked the chief into giving it him (by being in human form), but when he was flying away with it fell open in the sky - making the stars, moon and sun.

3. When someone dies before their time they come back as a raven in order to fulfil their original fate - so basically ravens are the reincarnated souls of murdered people.

4. Ravens used to be thought as familiars of witches (a familiar is an animal-shaped spirit believed to serve a witch or magician as domestic servant, spy and companion)

5. In native American culture - when a raven flags its wings it creates wind, lightening and thunder.

6. If the ravens leave the tower of London the monarchy will fall.

As I am writing these I see that I am actually moving away from my original intentions of bringing light to the fact that Ravens have been demonised in folklore and myth but they are not evil, scary creatures (well at least according to the 'raven lady'), because all of these narratives show the bird to be associated with sorcery and destruction, and a trickster and thief.

I think, however, despite the fact that my content may express these ideas I am not going to visually represent this ominous and evil attitude towards the bird in my illustrations. I am going to try and make the images atmospheric, but also full of texture and life. The bird in these illustrations will not be demonised but shown as having a strong connection with nature and the paranormal.