First He Made the Sun - Softcover

Ziefert, Harriet

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0698119258 ISBN 13: 9780698119253

Publisher: Puffin, 2002

Synopsis

Presents a rhyming rendition of the Genesis creation story in which God made the seas, the skies, and the creatures in six days and on the seventh day He rested to admire them. Reprint.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

Ziefert (Hats Off for the Fourth of July!, see below, etc.) draws from a traditional African-American folktale by the same title to invoke the creation story from Genesis. After the first few lines, Ziefert changes course and with clever, rhyming text, she addresses the familiar creatures of the planet. She conjures the likes of raccoons, fish, snakes, birds, and even a possum. “He made fishes, clams, and oysters, / But they dried out in the breeze, / So He sprinkled them with water / And put them in the seas.” McKie’s illustrations enliven the text as the lush pastels simply, but boldly, portray the animals in their habitats. Some readers will be wary of the reference to the creator as “He.” Also, it is notable that God creates Adam and gives him the honor of naming the animals, while Eve is not mentioned, only illustrated peeking out of a bush. Children will enjoy poring over the illustrations of all the critters in this gentle and unique introduction to the creation story. (Picture book. 3-5) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 1-Ziefert uses the first verse of the spiritual as the starting point for her simple, rhymed version of the Genesis creation story. God forms animals to live in various parts of the Earth, from the mighty jungle to the sandy desert, where "Joshua trees and cactus gave snakes and lizards shade." McKie's exuberant illustrations work delightfully with the bouncy text. The flat perspective, bright colors, and simple shapes recall the work of Lucy Cousins. Some fine picture books about Genesis, such as Pauline Baynes's Let There Be Light (Macmillan, 1991; o.p.), inspire wonder at creation's majesty. This interpretation invites young listeners to share the joy and imparts a vivacity that might inspire them to create illustrations of their own.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0698119258
• ISBN 13: 9780698119253
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: McKie Todd