When Woman Became the Sea: A Costa Rican Creation Myth

In a breathless, exclamation-point-filled narrative, Strauss (Coyote Stories for Children) introduces Sibu the creator, who can't determine what crucial element is missing from his newly fashioned world. He wants to ask his friend Thunder for advice, but can't get Thunder's attention until he creates Sea, the first woman, whom Thunder takes as his wife. Sea ""became full with child"" and, as a result of defying the orders of both Sibu and Thunder, her walking stick turns into a venomous snake that bites her. However, before she dies, her belly bursts open; she sprouts a ""magnificent tree,"" which then releases ""all the waters of the world"" and makes Sibu's world ""complete at last."" As a read-aloud, Strauss's frequent use of alliteration and onomatopoeic sounds (as those uttered by Thunder), together with Acosta's electrically hued paintings, may catch readers' attention, but the meandering, confusing story line will leave questions hovering at the book's conclusion. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)