Richardo Keens-Douglas, a Canadian storyteller who was born in Grenada, wrote the picture book Mama God, Papa God (Tradewind, $19.95) that 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 illustrations are inspired by Haitian folk art and religion. 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 display in vivid colors images of the tree of life, serpents, a horned figure and other fanciful creations. The first man and woman are portrayed naked, like anatomically correct dolls.

Mama God, Papa God (Tradewind, 1999) $19.95 978-1566563079. For Kindergarten to Grade 2.

[BCBW 1999]

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REVIEW

Mama God and Papa God were tired of sitting around in the dark. "Let there be light," Papa God said. Soon he and Mama God were making a world and filling it with trees and flowers and wind and rain. And people. But not too many people, Mama God said. "We have to leave something for them to do." With droll humour, storyteller Richardo Keens-Douglas retells Mama God, Papa God (Tradewind, $19.95), a Caribbean creation tale. Stefan Czernecki's exuberant illustrations owe their color and inspiration to Haitian folk art. 1-896580-16-5

[BCBW SUMMER 1999]