Customer Reviews

What A Truly Cool World

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I loved this book! I highly recommend this book because... It focuses on diversity. It brings to light a new version of the creation myth. Not only is it easy to read, but also "God" is not alone. He has help. Everyone is part of something. One can easily tire of the typical creation myths. Instead, this book allows us to consider other possibilities. It also causes us to question the creation myth and to acknowledge that there are different points of view. I would love to read this to a class along with other creation myth books. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll get the opportunity since it deals with religion. True, this book is not for everyone, but it is definitely a must read! It was also nice to see that God was portrayed as African-American. Even though I myself am not African-American, it is nice to see some diversity in children's books=) Also, the artwork was very colorful and well done! I look foreward to more books such as this one.

Being an African American parent it is hard to find books that my child can relate to. Beautiful colors and great illustrations are used to show the creation of a "cool world."

I was fortunate to attend a talk by Julius Lester just last night. His talk, titled "Story: A Way of Self-Knowledge," describes the power of story in helping us define ourselves, our beliefs, our loves, our fears, our pain, and our joy. Story is done and experienced by all people everywhere and has been since the dawn of mankind. Every religion has its own creation story that seeks to define how we relate the divine. In this adaptation of an African creation story, Lester uses modern sights, sounds, and realities to bring families together in the search for how to make sense of God and make God's love tangible. He read the book in its entirety and the entire room laughed and nodded throughout, finally giving him a standing ovation when he finished. It may not be for everyone, but the point is that all of us have our own stories that give meaning to our lives. You must find or create the one that works for you.

I loved it. If we are created in God's image, then this book presents a God that looks like me. It dispells the Michaeangelo image of God. I even like the angel Shaniqua, because like it or not we do often ask God why.

The book said to me we come in all shapes and forms-God's choir of six million, shows variety. Julius Lester is often on the edge, but this time I like it.

In the first 24 hours we had this book, my five year old son asked to read it seven times! He loved the richness of the story and the funny details in the illustrations, and I completely agreed with him. It's a creative, faithful twist on a story familiar to many. I am an elementary school chaplain and will definitely make use of this book.

This is a great African Folktale retold. The illustrations are bright and colorful and really show the reader the wonderful tale.

When God finished making the world he was pleased. But Shaniqua, the angel in charge of every body's business had a few concerns. She felt that the world needed more colors. God made the brown earth, blue water and green trees, but that was it.

In order for God to create more colors he had to sing a make a beautiful sound. Music was created. And because of that music beautiful colorful flowers bloomed all across the land. Shaniqua was happy and thought that the world was truly cool.

No all were happy though, the flowers whispered to God that they were lonely. God's voice was soar and hoarse from all of the flowers and colors he had created the day before. He called for Shaniqua to sing a song and soon butterflies were created to keep the flowers company.
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A wonderful book for your kids, to read aloud at children's time on Sunday morning, or just to chuckle at by yourself. Julius Lester imagines God in his own way in the Jewish tradition of midrash, and humor and insight are the result. My favorite character is Shaniqua, the Angel in Charge of Everybody's Business. Children will see that their picture of God is not the only picture that exists, and also learn to revel in the joy and beauty of Creation. A must have for any thinking Christian family.

This book is absolutely wonderful and hilarious! It makes God someone we can relate to while also showing his (or her... I'm still not convinced!) amazing power. The author places his characters in a modern setting and uses humor to convey important messages to both children and adults. Bruce and Shaniqua are perfect "sidekicks"! Anyone witha sense of humor and an appreciation for diversity will love this book! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story and beautiful, colorful illustrations! I know I will treasure my autographed copy for years to come!

We checked this book out at the library. My daughter loved it so much that I bought it for her. It was wonderful. I would read it to her when she was small over and over at bedtime. It was a really great way to bring God into a small childs life, and then really easy for them to read. I could just picture this all of the characters, helping God create the earth, and all the different attitudes and personalities. I just loved this book.

One day I actually took off and went to the school and read this book to the children in my daugher's class,(this was before they forced God out of the classrooms) It was a big winner. I just love this book.

I love this book and story. The book was more worn than I expected, so I was somewhat disappointed with the quality, but I am happy I made the purchase.