After creating the world and its creatures and day and night, the Mother of All Things leaves it to the night animals to find a way to lessen the night's darkness.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this contemporary creation story, nocturnal creatures make a few improvements upon their domain. The world is empty and drab until the Mother of All Things throws a ball of clay into the sky with such spin that it flares into light. She shakes loose a multitude of creatures from her skirts, weaves a curtain of night from fronds and branches, and pulls night-prowling creatures from her sleeve. These last soon begin to grumble about the lack of decent light: " 'It's too dark the run,' the coyote whined. 'I stub my toes on logs.' " The animals take matters into their own hands: the owl manages to tear a moon-sized hole in the curtain of night, and the bats pierce pricks of light. GrandPre's (Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat) lush, dramatic pastel drawings evoke motion so adroitly?with billowing garments, unexpected perspectives and swarms of bats?that they themselves seem to ride on gusts of wind. In her extraordinary shifts of light, the sun bathes figures in a warm glow, the nighttime mission gets a scarlet backdrop and in the end, the creatures are gently backlit against a abundantly starry sky. Yet even without such striking illustrations, Davol's (How Snake Got His Hiss) narrative images are palpable enough to conjure up a new world in readers' minds. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?An original creation story that gets high marks in the political correctness category. The Mother of All Things takes a drab world and effortlessly adds decorative touches?plants, sun, animals?and drapery. The curtain she stretches over the sky brings night?but it is too dark for the nocturnal creatures. The bats try to lift the curtain a bit, but "the sky is too high." Coyote, sloth, and panther in turn launch the bats from a hill, tree, or mountain (they couldn't start there themselves?), and then Owl joins in. They fly hard, and "no one gave up": but their grip on the curtain doesn't budge it. Back down, defeated, they find their claws have torn small holes (stars) and one larger one to let in light. As just-so tales go, this is nothing special, but GrandPre's pastel illustrations hold readers' attention. Night pictures are dramatic, compositions are varied, and the breaking of the frame lends interest. The palette and style are fairly realistic, but indigo, violet, and magenta add zing. Fans of Janell Cannon's Stellaluna (Harcourt, 1993) won't find these bats cuddly, however, and there are more compelling creation myths around.?Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! What an interesting story!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Batwings and the Curtain of Night (Hardcover)
"Batwings" was a great story! The illustrations were really creative and the re-writing of this creation myth was wonderful! I especially liked the part where the animals had to hunt in the dark. If you like this story, I'd suggest other similiar myths. If you like the illustrations, you should look for other books with pictures by Mary Grand Pre. I think I'd give "Batwings and the Curtain of Night" four stars. ****
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beauttfiul and memorable children's book,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Batwings and the Curtain of Night (Hardcover)
This beautiful book has a meaningful message as well. The kids can't wait to get to the last page.
My favorite line and illustration: "Find a way..."
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