Mama God, Papa God
by Richardo Keens-Douglas, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki
CM Volume XI Number 16 April 15, 2005
The Dreamer. Read the article about Richardo Keens-Douglas
A Canadian Children's Book Centre 'Our Choice 1999/2000' Selection
Quill & Quire, Friday Oct 01, 2004
Tales from the Caribbean to Chicago and the Arctic
"By Richardo Keens-Douglas, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki, Tradewind,
32 pages ages 3 to 7 "Once upon a time -- before my time, before
your time, before anybody's time, even before there was time --
Mama God and Papa God lived in the empty darkness.'' So begins a
creation tale notable for its vivid Haitian-style art (double-page
spreads that dazzle), for a nicely cadenced text that begs to be
read aloud and, not least, for its gender-equity approach to the
nature of God." -- by Susan Perren, Toronto Globe and Mail
"The creation story takes a whimsical Caribbean turn in a seamless
blend of religion and folk-art set in Haiti. Tired of living in
darkness, Papa God creates light, then goes on to make the world
as a beautiful gift for Mama God. Together, they design a detailed
world filled with brilliance, love, and humor. Highly stylized illustrations
rich in primary colors show the progress of creation as animals,
birds, water, fish, wind, and rain take their place in the world.
This unusual rendition of the creation tale sings to a calypso beat
and gives a strikingly different and exuberant interpretation of
how the world began. (Picture book. 3-8)" -- Copyright
�1999, Kirkus Associates
"K-Gr 2-In this striking picture book, a Canadian storyteller who was born in Grenada tells how the world and
all its people came to be. Mama God and Papa God decide to make humans look different from one another so that
things will not get boring and so that people can "live their lives learning all about each other." The story and
art are sweet and upbeat. The handsome pictures, inspired by Haitian folk art and religion, combine a naive
exuberance-the Gods are portrayed as childlike, large-headed, brown-skinned figures-with sophistication and
wit in design and patterning. The full- and double-page illustrations done in vivid colors include images of
the tree of life, serpents, a horned figure, and other fanciful creations, and seem to be a combination of
collage and paint or ink. The first man and woman are portrayed naked, like anatomically correct dolls. A joyous
celebration of diversity to read aloud to children." -- The School Library Journal. By Marilyn Iarusso, New York
Public Library Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
"A cadenced text tells about the creation of the world and the origin of ethnic diversity. Papa God says,
"If everyone looked alike and spoke the same language, it would be very boring . . . . This way they can
live their lives learning all about each other.'' Illustrations in the brilliant colors of the tropics
portray Mama God, Papa God, and their human creations with mask-like features."
-- Copyright � 1999 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
"With a deft in touch, well loved storyteller, Richardo Keens-Douglas has retold a creation myth from the
Caribbean. Mama God and Papa God create the world and all that lives on it. The story is developed with humor
and warmth. In fact, the world comes into being because Papa God wishes "to make something beautiful for"
Mama God. After, Papa God and Mama God make lots of people, each person different from one another, speaking
different languages.
The language maintains a rhythmic cadence. It is rich but at the same time continues to have a simplicity
that lures the child or adult to read on. The author has dedicated the story to the new millennium with the
hope that people everywhere will live together in peace and harmony. Usually, when tales are told with a
political or moral agenda, the result is flawed or forced. In this case, the author has a gentle touch and
the result is a positive, humourous creation story with a subtly produced purpose. The illustrations are
stylized paintings, inspired by the folk art of the Haiti. The colours are vibrant and bright. They echo
the good humour and positive mood of the story. Recommended for all collections as a positive approach to
viewing a diverse world." -- By Isobel Lang. Resource Links. Vol 5, Number 1 October 1999
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