Light: The First Seven Days [Hardcover]

Sarah Waldman (Author), Neil Waldman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Award-winning illustrator Neil Waldman and his daughter, Sarah, combine their talents for the first time to capture in words and art the childlike joy and wonder of the creation story from the book of Genesis. “A joyous use of contemporary graphics to retell the first story.”-Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Celebrated illustrator Waldman (creator of the stylish covers of several Gary Paulsen novels in addition to his own interpretation of The Highwayman ) teams up with his teenage daughter for this straightforward retelling of the Creation story from Genesis. The text, which retains familiar biblical cadences, is set in large white type, contrasting boldly with the succession of blue-black pages. Likewise, the bright bands of color decorating the letters of the title on the jacket seem ready to burst out of the darkness that contains them. Waldman's vibrant acrylics achieve a mosaic effect with daubs of green, blue and purple in various hues. Streaks of pink and orange are incorporated into the art as the text progresses; similarly, the margins framing the art lighten from black to a serene blue-gray. Waldman depicts the first day as a swirl of primarily dark brush strokes against a pitch-black background, while the seventh day features a full-color landscape populated by all forms of life. An afterword informs readers that "although there are differences, Judaism, Christianity and Islam share the underlying concept of this creation story." The carefully crafted design elements effectively underscore the significance of the event portrayed. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-- A simplified retelling of the first 34 lines of Genesis. While Waldman retains the essential elements, she omits the traditional reiteration of "good" on every day of creation and the "Spirit of God" moving over the face of the waters. The text appears in large white type on black pages opposite luminous, highly stylized, linear paintings that resemble a cross between mosaic and stained glass. The acrylic palette is vibrant: near-neon tones glow on earth and sky, and even the formless void has touches of teal at the center of its dark blue swirling mass. The first humans are clearly not Nordic blondes, but multicolored multiethnics, with nonnaturalistic skin tones (Adam has a blue face, Eve's is orange) and composite features. The carefully defined, glimmering colors are striking against their dark background, and suit the book's title. The drama and simplicity of this Creation give Light a sophisticated appeal, entirely different from Jane Ray's much warmer and more complex The Story of the Creation (Dutton, 1993). --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (June 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152208704
• ISBN-13: 978-0152208707
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,335,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful ne telling of the Biblical creation story, January 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Light: The First Seven Days (Hardcover)

an amazing book - the creation myth brought down to its essence beautifully and artfully by Sarah Waldman. The illustrations are vivid and intense. This is the creation myth for the present day - Adam and Eve have no speified ethnicity, there is a dinosaur in the background of one the pictures. You and your kids will love it! IF there's one book to buy that has to do with the bible, this is it!