Combining creation myths from a variety of cultures, the story in this beautifully illustrated book forms a continuous tale that is full of delightful discovery and unexpected harmony.

n the beginning there was only darkness. . . . There was fire and ice. . . . There was a single drop of milk. This book combines elements of the creation story from 24 different traditions. First Light, First Life is a celebration of the many and varied peoples of the earth, of their commonalities and their differences.

I loved this book for two reasons. First, I thought it was fascinating how the author combined 24 different cultures and produced one single story. Although it is one story, the reader is able to learn 24 different cultures. It was also interesting to see what people thought of from different parts of the world. For example, in China, they created a creator named Phan-Ku and that was how the world was created in their eyes while in Greece, there was a goddess who produced an egg. Second, I enjoyed the visuals because each page was very colorful. I think it could grab a student’s attention very easily and there are not too many words on each page so it would not be too overwhelming for children.

This book combines creation myths from around the world, showcasing the differences and similarities by using a segment from one culture and following it with a snippet from another. The first few pages highlight differences in stating what there was before creation, such as darkness, darkness, water, etc. As the book continues, the pieces begin building the story, continuing rather than contradicting, bringing it all together into one story. The illustrations manage to maintain a consistent feel while still reflecting the traditional art styles of the different cultures represented. ( )

Another book with beautiful and engaging illustrations. I love how it connects different parts of the world together to explain just how the earth and everything came to be. Great, interesting read that you could use to help children explore and become interested in other cultures and parts of the world.