The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth From Ancient Egypt [Hardcover]

Dianne Hofmeyr (Author), Jude Daly (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

A five-thousand-year-old story.

When the godchild Atum emerges from inky silence to begin his work of creation, he first conjures up the passionate gods of air and rain, followed by Geb, god of the earth, and Nut, goddess of the sky. But earth and sky cling to each other, sharing whispered secrets and laughter, leaving Atum no room to complete his creation. So Atum has no choice but to force them apart, infuriating Geb and leaving Nut sad and lonely . . . until Thoth, the god of wisdom, takes pity on her.

From an age-old explanation of how our starry universe came to be, Dianne Hofmeyr and Jude Daly have fashioned a dazzling and accessible picture-book introduction to Egyptian mythology.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hofmeyr and Daly, previously partnered for The Stone: A Persian Legend of the Magi, again join forces to weave a colorful picture book from one of the world's oldest storytelling traditions. Key figures in Egyptian mythology spring to life in Hofmeyr's vivid narration: the bud of a lotus flower breaks through the surface of water, and, "as the petals slowly unfurled, they spread a blue luster in the darkness. Enclosed in the center of the bloom was the golden godchild Atum." Atum, the creator, brings forth Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of dew and rain, who are the tempestuous parents of stubborn and inseparable children Geb, the god of the earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky. When Geb and Nut's carrying on halts Atum's creation of the rest of the world ("If you stay so close to each other, there will be no room for tall trees and rugged mountains, for rivers and waterfalls..."), Atum must assert his authority to divide the siblings into the earth and sky we recognize today. Daly's stylized, willowy figures shine against elegant backgrounds of rich, jewel-like blues and greens, bathed in sun-, moon- or starlight. The paintings go far in visually bridging slight gaps in Hofmeyr's narrative. Even with such gaps, the author's lustrous imagery and poetic tone give this ancient story a fresh feel with much appeal. Ages 4-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-The creator, Atum, magically brings to life the god of air and goddess of dew and rain, but the closeness of their two children, Geb and Nut, stops him from creating the world and preventing "the dark, watery wastes from returning." When he insists the two be separated, Geb becomes the earth (his volcanic anger spewing forth) and Nut becomes the starry sky. Thoth, the god of wisdom, takes pity on Nut, allowing her to have children in the five light days granted to her, and Osiris, Horus, Set, Isis, and Nephthys are born. The well-documented text is uplifted by the illustrations in their use of color and design. The depiction of the blue lotus that closes and sinks below the water's surface as a sacred element is particularly effective. Consistent with Egyptian mythology, the art suggests an incestuous relationship between the brother and sister. Libraries needing individual creation myths will want to add this smoothly paced retelling to their collection.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (March 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374371814
• ISBN-13: 978-0374371814
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,987 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 The gods of ancient Egypt, June 27, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth From Ancient Egypt (Hardcover)

"The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt," by Dianne Hofmeyr and Jude Daly, is a visually stunning book. The text tells the story of the ancient deities of Egypt: Atum, the creator; Shu, the god of air; Nut, the goddess of the sky; and others. The text is accompanied by colorful, elegant illustrations that capture an epic feel. This is a good book for parents and teachers who are interested in introducing children to the creation myths of different cultures.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful work!, August 10, 2009

By 

Kari "Daryt" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth From Ancient Egypt (Hardcover)

This book is a great introduction to creation myths of Ancient Egypt. It presents the creation according to the Heliopolitan Cosmogony, which is one of many creation explanations from Ancient Egypt. I love this book. My son and I read it together at night and we look up into the starry vault of heaven, knowing we are looking at the belly of Nut, as we stand upon her husband Geb.