Foreword Reviews
"With the biblical story of creation as their backdrop, each new natural element boasts that it is the best and the most loved, turning the peaceful garden upside down...In keeping with the book's midrash style of storytelling, children are encouraged to imagine, question, and reflect on the world around them, while colorful illustrations (and a note to adults) complete the experience."—Foreword Reviews
From the Publisher
"A heartening look at God's intervention when each part of creation vies to be loved most."—Spirituality & Practice
"The artwork is colorful and multicultural depicting a world filled with beauty...Accessible and written in age-appropriate language."—Association of Jewish Libraries
"A wonderfully entertaining and original picture book."—Midwest Book Review
Kirkus Reviews
2020-05-03
Using the first two chapters of Genesis as a starting point, this story reimagines the Earth’s parts and inhabitants, created by God and at odds with each other.
Written in rhythmic style, reminiscent of the Old Testament chapters with their repetitive refrains, this text reads aloud well. As Levine and Sasso’s story goes, God creates Land, Rain, Plants, Sun, Birds, Earthworms, Quadrupeds, and Children in order to fashion the “very first garden,” but each “brag[s] and boast[s] and bluster[s],” thinking they must be the most important part. Land asserts, “God should love me the most. It is only fair,” and all the others follow suit, until God states “my love is big enough for every one of you.” Then, as God intended: “There was peace. / And it was very good.” An authors’ note mentions the legend is written in “the storytelling form from rabbinic literature known as midrash.” Although it focuses on Creation, it does not retell the story of Adam and Eve but pictures contemporary diverse children, their descendants. The note goes on to suggest various ideas for use (even to introduce the story of evolution), but the focus is on the story’s moral and imaginative qualities. The text uses no gender pronouns, and the layered, richly colored illustrations occasionally evoke Eric Carle’s collages.
A well-crafted story of cooperation and sharing within the context of the biblical story of Creation. (Picture book. 4-8)
