The Story of Us

by Mitali Perkins, Kevin Howdeshell (Illustrator), Kristen Howdeshell (Illustrator)

Overview

A lyrical, captivating retelling of the biblical redemption story from National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins, sure to become a beloved tradition for families of faith.

Air. Water. Earth. Fire. Critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins paints a sweeping picture of the biblical redemption story in this luminous, lyrical picture book. At the beginning of all things, Creator uses the four elements to make humans. When creation falls into chaos—resulting in greed, war, and devastation—Redeemer comes to fix the mess, using air, water, earth, and fire to rebuild what has been broken. Ultimately, at the end of all things, Restorer arrives, bringing lasting peace to all creation and healing to the earth. Through expansive, lyrical text from Mitali Perkins and stunning illustrations by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell, this thought-provoking work of art invites readers to ponder their own relationship to nature and the Divine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506482842
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	09/20/2022
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 11.25(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mitali Perkins is an award-winning author of novels and picture books for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near; Forward Me Back to You; Rickshaw Girl; and Bamboo People, among others. Her books have been nominated for the National Book Award, have won the South Asia Book Award, and have been listed as Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Born in Kolkata, India, Perkins has lived in India, Ghana, Cameroon, Great Britain, Mexico, Bangladesh, Thailand, and the United States (Massachusetts, New York, and California). Perkins's work is known for strong characters who cross all kinds of borders, seek community, and promote justice. She and her husband have two sons and live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kevin Howdeshell is one half of The Brave Union, a small illustration studio in Kansas City, MO. After studying animation at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kevin partnered with his now wife, Kristen, to illustrate various projects from packaging, poster design, editorial illustration, and dozens of children's books.

Kristen Howdeshell is an illustrator and one half of the Brave Union, based out of Kansas City, Missouri. Working with her husband Kevin, the two have collaborated since 2008 creating art for a variety of projects including packaging, movie posters, album artwork, and dozens of children's books.

Editorial Reviews

"Not your typical retelling of Genesis, Perkins's story speaks to today's environmental struggles and concerns with power and sensitivity while offering hope for a peaceful future." —Portland Herald Press

"In a very artistic manner, the Biblical events from Creation to restoration are demonstrated for children." —The Evangelical Church Library Association

"The poetic text and gorgeous, captivating pictures throughout this book artfully illuminate the story of Creation. The presentation is alluring, with only a few sparse words on a number of pages set against vibrant, expressive illustrations." —Seattle Book Review

"Ms. Perkins is at her best when interpreting and praising the books she loves, and her personal anecdotes are a delight ... her defense of classic novels ... is sincere and brave, for Ms. Perkins doesn't merely describe the 'heart-shaping' effect that the books have had on her but also extols their value in fostering Christian virtues. —Wall Street Journal about Mitali Perkins' book Steeped in Stories

"Perkins takes seven classic novels as guides: Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, Emily of Deep Valley, The Hobbit, Little Women, A Little Princess, and The Silver Chair. She walks us through the dominant vice and virtue examined by each story. She also delves into how each book treats the outsider. She shows us familiar novels with fresh eyes through a lens that is critical, yet full of love and respect for these mentor authors ... I'm thankful that Perkins calls us back to the truth in the middle, Aristotle-style, neither throwing out the old books nor turning a blind eye to their faults. May we all grow in discernment and love as we read both the old and the new." —Story Warren about Mitali Perkins' book Steeped in Stories

? "Mitali's warmth and humility were so hospitable, I felt like I would be welcome to join her for a cup of tea and finish a conversation about books that has only just begun. And if she invited others who I strongly disagree with, I would feel comfortable engaging them in conversation." —Redeemed Reader, starred review for Mitali Perkins' book Steeped in Stories

From the Publisher

12/23/2022

PreS-Gr 3—This spare text takes a thought-provoking approach to the creation story, putting the relationship between humanity and nature at its center. From the beginning, nature was meant to be in harmony with us, but because we (Adam and Eve) chose to reject the Creator, They (nature) and Us have been in opposition. Eventually, the Redeemer (Jesus Christ) came to restore that relationship. Ever since, that reconciliation has continued to the present. While most of the narrative can be understood by those who are well-versed in biblical knowledge, other readers will have to dig deeper to grasp its meaning. The art will aid in that. Majestic illustrations, by turns bright and dark depending on the status of the conflict, are gorgeous. The spreads bring home the venerating tone of the worshipful text. The conclusion will leave even Bible scholars scratching their heads, as climate change is evidence that Nature and humanity are currently not on good terms. Is the triumphant ending aspirational and supposed to reflect a future relationship? The conclusion is very much in the air. VERDICT A confusing message that will nevertheless find a place in most church libraries and Christian homes because of its unique treatment of Christian beliefs and captivating illustrations.—Shelley M. Diaz

School Library Journal

2022-05-25
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)

Kirkus Reviews