August 2008 Archives

Booklist

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Booklist has reviewed Piecing Earth and Sky Together by Nancy Raines Day and illustrated by Genna Panzarella:

"In this creation story from the Mien tribe of Laos, the heavenly brother and sister, Faam Koh and Faam Toh, come to make the sky and the earth. Koh makes the sky of shimmering dark; Toh makes the earth of patterns and colors. They hide their work from one other, so when they are done, Koh's sky is too small for Toh's earth. He tries to stretch the sky but that only lets puffy clouds escape. Toh then takes her needle and makes mountains and hills, valleys and gorges, so her brother's sky fits perfectly. This story is told to Mei Yoon by her grandmother, who is teaching her the embroidery for which the women of her tribe are known. Traditional Mien stitches are illustrated, and both the source of the tale and the models for Koh and Toh are cited. The beautiful illustrations are done in colored pencils, which make a rich and textured page with depths like a dark jewel; deep indigos, violets, and greens predominate. An intriguing presentation that should reach a wide audience."

School Library Journal

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School Library Journal has a review of Piecing Earth and Sky Together by Nancy Raines Day and illustrated by Genna Panzarella:

"In this myth, two siblings create earth and sky with needle and thread. At first, they compete with one another, embroidering in secret. However, when the brother's shimmering sky turns out to be too small for the sister's abundant earth, they must work together to find a solution. The results are depicted in a lavish double spread, enlarged by flaps, showing an Edenic Cambodian rain forest, rich in animal life. Cast within the frame of a story told by a grandmother while she and her small granddaughter stitch together, the tale is attributed by the author to older members of the Mien community from the Laotian Handcraft Project of Berkeley, CA. Using vivid colors, the illustrator places grandmother, granddaughter, and the newly created world on a white background while setting the mythic portion of the story on cosmic black. Though the realistic drawings are not particularly innovative, the effect is certainly dramatic. Grandmother and the brother and sister gods are shown in traditional clothing. An author's note explains the importance of embroidery to this culture, and pictures of traditional stitches are included. The book should be useful where creation myths are compared, where stitchery is valued, and where Southeast Asian stories are needed."

Multicultural Review

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Piecing Earth and Sky Together by Nancy Raines Day and illustrated by Genna Panzarella was reviewed in Multicultural Review:

"The Mien minority group of Laos is noted for its distinctive embroidery, usually bright colors on a background of black or dark blue. True to this color scheme, the illustrations int he picture book contain more black and dark colors than are usually found in this genre. The effect is striking, making the colors leap out, as when the sun appears along with a dark thundercloud.

This unusual creation story tells of a friendly argument between brother and sister, Koh and Toh, helpers from heaven 'who came down to make the earth and the sky.' Vying to outdo each other, yet at the same time to make their creations fit together, they work in secret, and then each admires the results of the other. But they don't fit. Toh, in her cleverness and patience and with her adroit fingers, adjusts her earth to fit Koh's sky. "

"The beautiful illustrations are done in colored pencils, which make a rich and textured page with depths like a dark jewel; deep indigos, violets, and greens predominate."

-Booklist

Nancy Raines Day is the author of "A Kitten's Year" and "The Lion's Whiskers: An Ethiopian Folktalke," a New York Times Notatble Book. Ms. Day, who also teaches writing for children, resides in northern California with her husband.

Genna Panzarella is an artist and teacher living near San Francisco, where she and her husband raised their two sons. When she is not teaching or creating art, you will find Genna riding her horses. She also loves to travel and has been to South East Asia, as well as Africa, India, and China. Genna recieved her BFA at Washington State University, and studied for a year in Aix-en-Provence, France. Genna’s artwork has explored many media, including fabrics, clothing, glass, oils, bronze, and even chalk drawing on sidewalks. This is her first children’s book illustration.

Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.

Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.






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Piecing Earth and Sky Together

By Nancy Raines Day
Illustrated by Genna Panzarella
$17.95, Hardcover, 32 pages
English Text
Ages 6-10
ISBN-10: 1885008198
ISBN-13: 9781885008190

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