The story of us

Not mentioning God, Jesus, or the Bible explicitly, instead speaking of Creator (not shown and ungendered) and Redeemer, this striking work tells the Biblical story of creation; the later period of chaos; and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Perkins' short exclamations on each page emphasize the simplicity of the ancient story and showcase the Christian cause-and-effect viewpoint on the world's history. "One day, Creator came," opens the tale; Creator used air, water, earth, and fire to make us, and we lived in a symbiotic relationship with those elements. But then all became turmoil until Redeemer arrived and set the world right, and now Restorer continues that work. At every stage, air, water, earth, and fire are described as saving us if we work in harmony with them, and the gentle figures in the story are portrayed as kind helpers and grateful receivers. Text and images play equal parts here, with Perkins' dramatic words backed by earth-toned images (these appear to be watercolor on textured paper) packed with flora, fauna, and brown-skinned people. An attractive introduction to Creationism that will be welcomed in Christian schools and homes.

The biblical story, from Creation through the Resurrection and beyond, summarized. Focusing on the four elements, aka Them, Perkins begins with Creation: "One day, Creator came-- / to sort the mess, / using Them to make Us. / Air. / Water. / Earth. / Fire." Several spreads of the first man and woman enjoying the Garden of Eden and its flora and fauna follow. But then, "We said, 'No, Creator,' " after which They also rose up against the couple: "Tornado. / Flood. / Earthquake. / Inferno." Thus begins a war between nature and humans…until Redeemer comes, "using Them to serve Us." The next spreads show Jesus' ministry, using dirt to heal a blind man, water to wash feet, air to draw a last breath on the cross, and fire to cook fish for his friends after his resurrection. A final page, requiring a 90-degree turn of the book, shows an idyllic scene of people of various races and ages enjoying a park: "At peace-- / Them and Us," a rather misleading statement amid today's natural disasters, climate change, and pollution that many children will recognize as patently facile and false. The illustrations by the Howdeshells, a married couple, are beautiful and full of meaning that partially fills in the vital missing pieces that Perkins' spares verse leaves out. Still, those without a solid religious background will be lost. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Roots the Bible in the four elements; the sparse text and overly simplistic ending disappoint, but the images save the day. (Religious picture book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.