In Our Image: God's First Creatures [Hardcover]

Nancy Sohn Swartz (Author), Melanie W. Hall (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Selected by the American Library Association's Booklist as one of the Top Ten Religion Books for Youth, 1999 Before creating humans, God said, 'Let us make humans in Our image, after Our likeness.' In this playful new twist to the Genesis story, God asks all of nature to offer gifts to humankind--with a promise that the humans would care for creation in return. Then, woman and man were formed from the dust of the earth, in the image of God, and in the image of all of nature. And it was very good, indeed. Whether you're large like the whale, small like the ant, lazy like the lizard, or busy like the bee, this spirited story with its lively illustrations celebrates the interconnectedness of nature and the harmony of all living things.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-A nondenominational, nonsectarian retelling of the creation story that focuses on the period before man and woman were created. The animals tell God the gifts they would like to present to humankind. "The chimpanzee chattered, 'Let them always be curious.' The ostrich bent low. 'Let them mind their own business.'" After being told that humans will have dominion over them, the animals are frightened but God reassures them that people will care for the world and its inhabitants. There is no gender hierarchy; God is not referred to as either male or female, and both man and woman are created simultaneously. The vibrantly colored illustrations nearly leap off the page in this delightful interpretation.
Yapha Nussbaum Mason, Brentwood Lower School, Los Angeles
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. Students of the Bible have long pondered who, exactly, God meant when in Genesis he used the plural in speaking about humankind in "our" image. Swartz answers that question in a unique way. God was speaking to "ALL," including the animals, that he had created. Then, each of the animals comes up with one quality that it wants the humans to have: bravery, from the tiger; gentleness, from the lamb; speed, from the cheetah; slowness, from the snail; and so on. In the end, humans receive all their qualities from what has come before them, thus making them a true part of the larger natural world. The text is readily accessible to preschoolers, who will enjoy hearing all the animals declare and offer their special qualities; children will also instinctively receive Swartz's message about the world's interconnectedness. Extending and elaborating on the text are Hall's pictures, which are particularly nice. Inventive watercolors, dappled with sunlight and cloistered by moonlight, capture the feeling of life that is the essence of the story. One interesting note: When, near the book's conclusion, God says humankind will have dominion over the animals, the creatures are afraid. God assures them that "woman and man shall be partners with me to care for you and all the world." Even preschoolers can join in a stimulating discussion about whether humankind has lived up to its obligation. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; First Edition edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879045990
• ISBN-13: 978-1879045996
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional primer for discussing creation with children., September 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In Our Image: God's First Creatures (Hardcover)

This book would make a great gift for parents of young children. I used it to help answer the age old question asked by every child, "where did we come from?" The illustrations and the story were captivating to both my children. I highly recommend this book!!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story gives animals an important place with God, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In Our Image: God's First Creatures (Hardcover)

Spirituality too often dismisses animals and the blessing they are too us. We are taught they are just there for us to use and to eat. I think children are hurt when they are taught that their animals cannot get into heaven, or that they have no souls. This book does not touch on those issues in particular, but it does show God talking to the animals, loving and honoring them, and allowing them to give suggestions for the qualities that humans could have. This book is endorsed by the leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths, so it is a safe gift. Humans are given a challenge toward the end of the book to treat animals in such a way that they need never to be afraid of us. The artwork in this book is exceptionally nice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Our Image, January 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: In Our Image: God's First Creatures (Hardcover)

In Our Image, God's First Creatures, is simply beautiful, and beautiful in its simplicity. What a lovely story to read to children and what delightful pictures accompany it! In this fanciful tale, God asks all of nature and the creatures of the earth to each offer a gift to humankind. We see all creation, including the sun, moon and stars, becoming involved to offer their gifts. Young children will love the ideas voiced or called, chirped, snapped or drawled by the various animals. This could lead to a conversation about even more gifts from more creatures, or a talk about humane treatment of our animal friends. It is pleasing to know that this book is nondenominational and nonsectarian. I highly recommend In Our Image as a perfect book to share with a child.