David A. Anderson (2)Critiques

This book, the second in a trilogy of African creation & early mythology, starts where the 1992 African Studies Association African Children's Book Award Winner, THE ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH ends. The narrative tells of humankind's loss of respect for life & its responsibilities, & of the calamities that befall civilization as a result. The story centers on the struggle of one Yoruban individual who attains awareness & ponders how to transmit his knowledge to others. Having lost respect for the natural world and all that it supports, the young people of Ife are consumed by their greed and laziness and almost destroy themselves

398.2

This Yoruba creation myth is a beautiful story of how the Earth and its people were formed. The illustrations are stunning and the bold colors and brushstrokes provide a vivid visual alongside the narrative. I do not think the images enhance the story, however, mostly they only show what the text says, and provide some details. Not the best layout for the illustrations and text as well. The illustration is always on one side and the text is on the other. There is no creative placement. I am happy to discover this not well known myth (at least in Western culture).½

Media: Watercolors
Grade level: elementary, primary
Review: It was a book about the origin of life on Earth as seen from an African perspective in a myth. There was lots of fantasy in this book as the main character Obatala did his best to create life on Earth. He created land and created sculptures which then became the first alive humans on earth.

"Now the Yoruba say that long ago before there were people, all life was in the sky." And so begins this gorgeous retelling of the Yoruba creation myth, in which Olorun - the all-powerful supreme deity - permits and encourages Obatala, his restless orisha (a kind of powerful spirit in the Yoruba religion) to descend from heaven, and create the earth and its inhabitants from a watery expanse.

David A. Anderson - whose storytelling name is "Sankofa" - delivers an immensely engaging narrative in The Origin of Life on Earth, one that reads well, provoking thought as it entertains. I was particularly struck by two things, while reading Anderson's text. First, was the cooperative nature of Obatala's journey, which requires all the orishas to contribute their golden treasures, in order to create a chain long enough to reach the waters. Second, was the fact that Obatala's act of creation is not without flaw, as manifested by his drunken episode, in which malformed humans come into being. Both of these episodes highlight the essential humanity of the story, emphasizing the communal and compassionate face of the divine, and allowing for the incorporation of the imperfect into creation.

Winner of the 1993 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration, The Origin of Life on Earth is more than just an engaging mythological retelling, however. It is also a superbly beautiful book, with luminous artwork by Kathleen Atkins Wilson, who (I am sorry to say), does not seem to have illustrated any other books. Black silhouettes are depicted in bright, vividly colorful clothing, acting out their tale in front of lovely backdrops awash in more gentle hues. The overall effect is stunning! Folklore and mythology lovers - as well as those who simply love gorgeous illustrations - will NOT want to miss this one!

This is a creation myth. It describes the origin of the natural world and existence in and of itself. It provides an interesting explanation for the way that world began. It would be a great addition to a lesson about different perspectives and understanding that different cultures, people, etc have different beliefs and understandings.