In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World [Hardcover]

Virginia Hamilton (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1988

A thought-provoking collection of twenty-five stories that reflect the wonder and glory of the origins of the world and humankind. With commentary by the author. “A must for mythology shelves.”--Booklist

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 25 myths, life begins after some being either directs others to get or make soil, or forms the earth from nothing, or opens a box, or separates earth, sky and waters; the methods of creation are only limited by the number of stories in the book. The tales are varied, representing many world cultures and traditions; somelike the story of Pandorawill be known to readers, although they may not have identified it previously as a creation myth. The tellings, too, are varied, sometimes somber and other times lilting. In her introduction, Hamilton calls the phrase "In the beginning . . . " a "classic opening, although not the only opening," but many of the tales begin this way, which suggests a tacit endorsement of the phrase. Additionally, she asserts that limitations of space "do not allow for all of the important world myths to be presented here. Also, not all myths are easily rendered on a level of understanding for many readers." Simply by addressing such limitations, Hamilton embraces the only problem with the workthat it does not encompass every culture or even every world region. Moser's watercolors gleam like jewels amid the setting of the text. His people and creatures gaze out at readers, as if to challenge their imaginations to comprehend the chaos before creation. All ages.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up Twenty-five creation myths from such diverse cultures as China, Tahiti, Micronesia, and Australia. Illustrated with 42 dramatic , full-color paintings, this is a handsome representative collection. Hamilton's introduction briefly defines creation myths and places them within the formal cultural structure that gives them authority. Her commitment to stay true to the simplicity of style of many creation myths results in some brilliant retellings, complete with the clarity of vision and fluidity of language synonymous with her work. While most of these retold myths are highly successful, others lack the precision of the ``perfect word'' associated with Hamilton. (One example is the jarring use of the modern word ``aide,'' as in aides to a god in a Zambian creation myth.) Although the placement of the explanatory notes at the end of each myth is less effective than if they were placed at the beginning, the book is handsomely designed. Each myth opens with a striking full-page painting, each of which is truly evocative and powerful in design and content. Text and illustrations together result in a strong, effective piece of work. Janice M. Del Negro, Chicago Public Lib .
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 161 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J); Limited edition (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152387412
• ISBN-13: 978-0152387419
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,637,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Esther Hamilton was born, as she said, "on the outer edge of the Great Depression," on March 12, 1934. The youngest of five children of Kenneth James and Etta Belle Perry Hamilton, Virginia grew up amid a large extended family in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The farmlands of southwestern Ohio had been home to her mother's family since the late 1850s, when Virginia's grandfather, Levi Perry, was brought into the state as an infant via the Underground Railroad.

Virginia graduated at the top of her high-school class and received a full scholarship to Antioch College in Yellow Springs. In 1956, she transferred to the Ohio State University in Columbus and majored in literature and creative writing. She moved to New York City in 1958, working as a museum receptionist, cost accountant, and nightclub singer, while she pursued her dream of being a published writer. She studied fiction writing at the New School for Social Research under Hiram Haydn, one of the founders of Atheneum Press.

It was also in New York that Virginia met poet Arnold Adoff. They were married in 1960. Arnold worked as a teacher, and Virginia was able to devote her full attention to writing, at least until daughter Leigh was born in 1963 and son Jaime in 1967. In 1969, Virginia and Arnold built their "dream home" in Yellow Springs, on the last remaining acres of the old Hamilton/Perry family farm, and settled into a life of serious literary work and achievement.

In her lifetime, Virginia wrote and published 41 books in multiple genres that spanned picture books and folktales, mysteries and science fiction, realistic novels and biography. Woven into her books is a deep concern with memory, tradition, and generational legacy, especially as they helped define the lives of African Americans. Virginia described her work as "Liberation Literature." She won every major award in youth literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to World Mythology, October 7, 2004

By 

Dreaming Kat (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World (Paperback)

A previous reviewer said that s/he couldn't understand why this was listed as a children's book. All I can say is that while I would love to think our first grader is a genius, he lets us know when a story is over his head. When it's a little too hard, he'll ask questions. When it's a lot too hard, he'll give up and let his attention wander. He asks questions occasionally with this book, but he'll ask for me to read the next one about half of the time too.

I also enjoyed the stories, and as an adult can get more out of the book than a kid. But one of the great things about a good story is that it's layered and different levels of comprehension can all enjoy it.

The pictures of the deities were not what I expected the deity to look like, but they are beautiful. It may also be worth noting that the versions the myths given here may or may not be "just like" versions you've seen elsewhere. Considering none are offered in their original language, and we've enjoyed these retellings, I don't have a problem with that. But I know some might.

The strongest point of the book in my mind is that it really is World mythology. It's a little skimpy on South America, and a tad strong on Greek and Middle Eastern, but it does have a variety of stories. All the inhabited continents are covered once.

North America: 4

South America: 1

Asia: 5

Africa: 4

Europe: 4 + russia

Oceania (Australia and Islands): 5

Each myth is followed by a short blurb about the people from which it came. At the end of the book there is a list of Useful Sources. I would have prefered the Table of Contents list the origin of the story in some fashion (part of the world, name of the people, etc), but since I now own a copy, I can pencil that in myself. :)

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories, great artwork!, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World (Paperback)

This is the perfect book to introduce readers of all ages to the creation myths of different religons and cultures. In these days when the teaching of evolution and modern cosmology are controversial, this book provides valuable perspective on the way different people have accounted for the earth and its inhabitants. It should be required reading for all public school administrators, and would be a valuable addition to any school (or home) library.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hamliton rises to the challenge, January 3, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World (Paperback)

In this collection of tales, creation stories from around the world are retold by Virginia Hamilton. The book is beautifully illustrated with explanations included (for adults) about the choice of creation stories, and the categories they fall into. Reading this reminded me of the books of Greek myths I once read as a child. However, nothing I've ever seen compares to the beauty found within this collection's pages. Easily concerned parents beware. These stories haven't been rendered politically correct, nor have they been altered for modern sensibilities. In many tales, women are usually the catalysts of any problems with the world and violence occurs with steady regularity. Do not let this put you off. Though different, this is a text that deserves to be seen by all children from all walks of life.