Genesis

With his shadowy abstract pastels, Young (Lon Po Po) puts his singular stamp on the story of creation. A thoughtful adaptation of the King James version of Genesis appears as stark and powerful text on solid black left-hand pages in each spread. The accompanying illustrations show light and life emerging from the darkness as difficult-to-distinguish figuresDshark, eagle, manDthat often flow into one another. The artwork, equal parts awesome and eerie, is certain to invite a range of interpretation from readers, but the progression of images successfully communicates a sense of birth and newness. This sophisticated, far-from-literal work will be best appreciated by adults or older children. All ages. (Feb.)