Multicultural Review

Renee Ting

on August 14, 2008 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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. "

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"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.