In the Beginning

In a modest but handsome recap of the creation story, the Gays briskly walk readers through the making of light, the sea, the land, animals, and humankind. The straightforward text doesn’t draw any attention to itself (“Then God made the sun and the moon and the stars”), but the crisp, graphic artwork makes a strong visual impact: when darkness gives way to light, a white circle appears against a midnight blue field, casting a flashlightlike beam that illuminates a pale sky and fluffy clouds. The animals that show up later are as cute as toys, and (an unnamed) Adam and Eve make appearances, behind large, modesty-protecting leaves. Simultaneously available: Noah’s Ark. Ages 1–3. [em](Apr.) [/em]