The Blessing Seed: A Creation Myth for the New Millennium - Hardcover

Matthews, Caitlin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1901223280 ISBN 13: 9781901223286

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 1998

Synopsis

A modern reinterpretation of the traditional Christian story of creation tells how Man and Woman are amazed by the many animals and plants with which they share their home and eventually eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Boldly announcing her intent in the subtitle of the book, Matthews (My Very First Book of Princesses) retells the story of Genesis with a new spin, replacing original sin with the idea of "original blessing." Here, when Man and Woman eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge, God is not angry that they have ignored His warning (nor does the pair clothe themselves thereafter). Instead, God sympathizes: "You are frightened and upset." He explains that even though they have made a mistake, the "seeds of learning and caring will grow inside [them]" if they follow the four paths of life that lead out from the tree. Their special gift will be "a blessing seed. It will leap from your hearts into the hearts of others." In a closing author's note, Matthews states her wish to counteract the "blame, shame, and guilt" of the Old Testament story and to encourage readers to "reassess [their] ideas about our role as human beings." Unfortunately, her approach doesn't smoothly straddle the gap between the traditional telling and a new age take on it. The text alternates between a stately prose that echoes the Biblical account ("In the beginning, God sang everything alive") and an incongruous, feel-good therapy tone ("Everyone in the garden has their special gift," complain Man and Woman when they can't figure out their own unique purpose). Dexter's batik-like watercolors in full-bleed spreads portray Man and Woman with worried faces (Woman's hair is wavy, Man sports halo spikes), and their vaguely anatomically-correct brown bodies appear in a universe of colorful bunnies and leaves. This modern myth accentuates the positive with muddled fervor and sets aside the larger, more complicated issue of free will. Ages 4-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

K Up-Matthews's story, based on Jewish and Christian tradition, is not a retelling as much as it is a joyful reinterpretation. "In the beginning, God sang everything alive." Thus, the tale begins and continues through the familiar litany of creation. When man and woman find the Tree of Life with four paths leading away from it, God explains that when its fruit ripens, they will be ready to explore the world. They eat the fruit prematurely, not through defiance or disobedience, but because they are anxious to find out more about their special gift-the ability to learn and to care. God's response is not punishment but an invitation to explore the four paths: wonder, emptiness, making, and coming home. They are promised a Blessing Seed that will come as their understanding of their gift increases. Dexter's watercolor illustrations have the look of woodcuts, with clear basic shapes and design elements. They tell the story with remarkable color and energy, complementing the joyful theme. The book design is particularly appealing, with double-page spreads, calligraphy typeset, and bold graphic design. The author's note presents interesting background about creation myths plus a strong justification for her interpretation: "As we enter a new millennium, it seems timely that all of us...[replace] the notion of original sin with one of 'original blessing.'" This is a book that will be welcomed by many but questioned by some, particularly those whose Biblical interpretations are strict.
Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1901223280
• ISBN 13: 9781901223286
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Dexter Alison