Adam & Eve's First Sunset: God's New Day
Kindergarten-Grade 4--This parable is based upon a Talmudic explication of the Old Testament story of Adam and Eve's first night in the Garden of Eden in which God showed them flints to help them make fire that brought light into the darkness. Enlarging upon the story, Sasso emphasizes the first couple's growing fear as the sun disappears, their realization that they have no control over the natural world, and their thankfulness when the sun returns in the morning. Large, brightly colored paintings are set on rich, fiber-flecked backgrounds of deep rose, violet, lime green, and burnt orange. With their pattern-painted borders, the pictures look like a series of quilts or painted scarves showing lush tropical scenes filled with colorful flowers and animals from many habitats. The anthropomorphized sun and moon close their eyes when they set. The story's message speaks to Jews and Christians. The book can be used in both religious and family settings to teach that faith in God can help to overcome fear of the unknown, and to spark discussion concerning awareness of and gratitude for the natural world around us.--Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.