Before The Beginning: A Child's First Book of the Great Story

Written by a science teacher and lusciously illustrated by his students Gwen Noll and Angel Slaughter, this book is a poetic introduction to the birth and growth of our wondrous universe. Honoring questions more than answers, Before The Beginning affirms the sacredness and mystery of all things, and the importance of each person’s role in The Great Story. A bedtime picture book for ages 2 to 102.

The idea for this book was conceived by JD Stillwater, a father, science educator, and student of physics and cosmology. When JD's daughter was young, she was given a beautifully illustrated book that retold the biblical story of Genesis in simple, poetic language. JD wished there were a similar book that would share the same sense of beauty and awe, but with a story more in line with science. Years later, the idea of creating such a book returned when he saw the incredible and moving artwork of Angel Slaughter, a student in his high school Physics course. Angel painted her illustrations for this book when she was 17. Progress on the book stalled for several years when JD left public education to become a staff educator at The Circle School in Harrisburg, PA. There, JD was again inspired and moved by the artistic talent he saw in student Gwen Noll, also 17. Beyond that, he recognized an artistic kinship between the two girls' work. When the book was described to her, Gwen agreed to create the remaining illustrations. The illustrators were each given copies of the draft text, and the paintings are completely their own creations - no suggestions as to form, content, or color were offered. JD Stillwater is passionate about Science, especially the elements of wonder and mystery that often attend scientific inquiry. He lives in Harrisburg with his wife Ann, and misses his two grown children.