From School Library Journal
Gr 1–4—Conceived as a companion to Fleischman's acclaimed Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella, this title can be read as a stand-alone. Fleischman pieces together a variety of creation myths—each page representing a different country or state—to construct one relatively seamless myth. From the first page ("In the beginning, there was only darkness" [China]) through the end ("The sun warmed the earth" [Mexico]), this patchwork tale flows freely and smoothly from one page to the next. Many will recognize stories of major world religions ("God caused it to rain for forty days and forty nights" [Israel]), but will also likely discover lesser-known stories, such as one from the Banks Islands in the Pacific ("Quat made the first humans out of wood."). Inspired by traditional textiles associated with many of the cultures included, Paschkis's illustrations provide a vibrant, folksy backdrop upon which the myths unfold, but also contribute mightily to the continuity. She ties each myth to the next as visual elements from one country's page run into and are incorporated into the next. While this volume is largely successful, some of the myths' attributions prove problematic. A few tales, for example, are labeled by U.S. state rather than the Native American tribe of origin, hence masking the unique contribution of individual groups to the common body of creation myths. VERDICT Though this title is a succinct way to introduce creation mythology to elementary students, it will require supplementary discussion and information about the communities covered to render it fully useful.—Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ
Review
"expertly weaving together elements from global creation myths to highlight their surprisingly similar story lines . . . Humankind really is one family, Fleischman suggests." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review, on First Light, First Life: A Worldwide Creation Story
"Bright, golden folkloric artwork, swirling with stars and mystery . . . From to great floods to great fires, the world is made new again and Fleischman and Paschkis use words and pictures to show us the commonalities between cultures, condensing them into one fluid telling. . . . Let’s hope they continue to elaborate on the stories our diverse world shares." ―Booklist, starred review, on First Light, First Life: A Worldwide Creation Story
"In this multicultural mashup, the duo behind Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella (2007) weaves a wonderfully chaotic creation story . . . . this wide canvas amazes. An origin tale as messy as humans can be." ―Kirkus Reviews on First Light, First Life: A Worldwide Creation Story
Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal:
"Endings don't get any happier than in this global tour de force." -School Library Journal, starred review
Flutter and Hum / Aleteo y Zumbido:
"This is a celebration in text and art of words, of language, and of the spaces between and their possibilities. . . . Kids will savor it however they meet it." -The Bulletin, starred review
"Paschkis shows herself to be a sensitive observer of the animal kingdom, as well as of language itself, finding humor, eccentricities, and unexpected connections in both." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
About the Author
Paul Fleischman won a Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images. He is also the author of young adult novels including Whirligig and The Mind's Eye, and middle-grade novels including Bull Run and Seedfolks. He lives with his wife in northern California.
Julie Paschkis is a painter and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People, Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi, and Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella. A love of pattern and of folk art shows in all her work. She lives in Seattle, Washington.
