cover image God's Amazing World!

God's Amazing World!

Eileen Spinelli, illus. by Melanie Florian. Ideals, $15.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8249-5661-5

Christopher Award winner Spinelli (Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch) retells the biblical creation story. With colorfully engaging illustrations by French artist Florian (My Real Name is Princess), the story follows two children as they talk about creation and play together outside. The two move around their backyard as the older child, Gracie, tell the younger child, Bo, what God did on each of the seven days when the world was created. The children then relate that day's creation to what they do in their own backyard. In talking about day two, when the sky is created, they lie in the grass watching the clouds pass by; for day three, when water is created, they splash in the sprinkler. Each day is pronounced "good." Spinelli takes the complex idea of creation and breaks it into small enough pieces that it becomes understandable for even the youngest members of its intended audience. The illustrations cheerily expand the text. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Bright Agency. (Apr.)