And God Created Squash: How the World Began [Paperback]

Martha Whitmore Hickman (Author), Giuliano Ferri (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

"A whimsical retelling of the biblical story of the Creation. A benevolent, white-haired God delights in his creation of light and darkness, heaven and earth, and . . . squash: 'Acorn squash, Butternut squash, Zucchini squash. I might have a game and call it squash.' . . . An accessible, inventive approach to the Good Book."--Booklist. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this quietly amusing interpolation of the creation story, a childlike, mirthful God in a halcyon Garden of Eden talks himself into a magnificent world. With impish eyes surrounded by a fuzzy cloud of beard and hair, his enraptured thoughts turn, one by one, into things. Then, a peculiar infatuation, borrowed from other creation traditions, captures him: squash. "I like that name . . . I think I'll use it again. Acorn squash. Butternut squash. Even zucchini squash. I might have a game and call it squash. Or put my hand on something and press down hard and call that squash." Saving the best for last, God ends by fashioning some company for himself--something, "well, more like me." While some underwhelmed adults may not tune in to the fun of this rendition, children will delight in the endless naming of species and guess-what-comes-next descriptions. Glowing as if floodlit, Ferri's soft, sunny watercolor and colored pencil illustrations embody the utter beneficence, if not the omnipotence, of a God children may accept as their friend. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Genesis is the firm foundation of this text, but its superstructure is a fresh, lively, conversational retelling of creation. In an inspired opening, God makes the universe in a "big breath," and then says, "So far, so good!" Light is His answer to "something to go with the darkness," and plants happen when he puts his ear to the Earth and thinks, "I'd like to hear something growing." When he comes up with the name "squash," he likes it so much that he uses it again--and again. Finally, he wishes for "some company." The answer is "People! Men and women and boys and girls and small babies for the boys and girls to hold and sing to and help take care of . . . ." When people in their diverse multitudes appear, he asks them to love the world, and to speak to him: "I'll be around. You may not see me. But . . . think of me. I'll be thinking of you." Not cute, sentimental, or syrupy, this approach is genuine and spiritual and accessible. The stylized, decorative watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations are soft edged and gentle. That they are not so freshly imaged as the text, however, can be seen in the characterization of God: a benign old white male with a long fuzzy beard, he is cute and, alas, conventional. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080750341X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807503416
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,394,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic book!, December 23, 1999

By 

Roxanne "Mom" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And God Created Squash: How the World Began (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful for family members of all ages, even if you're not particularly religious. God is portrayed as a kind and gentle being with a sense of humor. God seems to have created the world when he was in quite a playful mood, and this book quickly became my four year old son's favorite anytime story. I anticipate many years of warm fuzzies from this book and highly recommend it to any and all parents of families who believe in God as our creator.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous Telling of Creation Story, February 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: And God Created Squash: How the World Began (Hardcover)

This humorous telling of the Creation story will delight and enthrall children and adults. It's a must have for church, home and public libraries! God is truly a "creative Creator!"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, creative - love it!, February 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: And God Created Squash: How the World Began (Paperback)

What a fun, creative re-telling of the Bible's creation story! It shows a "fun" side of God that captivates kids and makes them think. The artist's rendering of God shows a friendly, approachable man with white hair. The people at the end of the book are wonderfully multi-racial. After God creates them he tells them, "...if you want me, speak my name. Remember, I made you for company, for me and for each other. So we could love each other. And I will never forget you.," And on the last page he says, "You may not see me, but I'll be here...".