Remaking The Earth: A Creation Story from the Great Plains of North America - Softcover

Goble, Paul

3.48

33 ratings by Goodreads

9780531095249: Remaking The Earth: A Creation Story from the Great Plains of North America

Softcover

ISBN 10: 053109524X ISBN 13: 9780531095249

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1996

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An Algonquin creation myth in which the animals dive for mud so the Creator can make dry land again

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4?Goble expands upon the Algonquin "Earth Diver" myth to tell a story of the cycle of Creation, in the "spirit of old stories." Long ago, the earth cracked open and water flooded everything, leaving only aquatic creatures alive. These animals beg Earth Maker to bring back the land. He asks for one animal to dive down and bring him some mud. Many fail, but Coot succeeds. Earth Maker places the mud on Grandmother Turtle's back to make a world covered with creations from his imagination?from birds to buffaloes to people. He teaches people to hunt, cook with fire, and to make clothes. Finally, he tells Bull Buffalo to push against the mountains; when Bull Buffalo dies, "the mountains will break apart and the waters will flood in once again, and then Earth Maker will make another world." Elements are drawn from the myths of many tribes of the Great Plains, including the Blackfoot and Arapaho. Watercolor illustrations are well executed, often enriching the text such as when flocks of birds fly out from the edges of Earth Maker's robe. The story is supplemented by asterisked information, which, although interesting, is not attributed to particular tribes and detracts from the flow of the text. Goble's The Great Race (Bradbury, 1985) provides a more elaborate explanation of one element of this Creation myth, man's triumph over buffaloes. Remaking the Earth is suitable for telling or independent reading, and has broad appeal.?Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Gr. 3^-6, younger for reading aloud. In this picture book for older readers, Goble tells of the remaking of Earth following the floods. Earth Maker doesn't always get things right, but it's understood that the Creator is learning along with other living things. The narrative, which ends with a warning that even this new world won't last forever, is based on elements taken from several Native American tribal groups. Goble has included an extensive reference list and a detailed introductory note, and he supplies additional notes by using asterisks. His double-page spreads are saturated with the richness of nature and the splendor of everyday animals, including an irresistible Grandmother Turtle. He has also made room for the exotic--a giant water monster and a mighty Thunderbird. This is a good choice for students interested in comparing the handling of creation stories from diverse cultural and ethnic groups. Karen Morgan

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