Big Momma Makes the World

by Phyllis Root and phyllis-root

Book Overview

Powerful, warm, and utterly original, this no-nonsense tall tale of Big Momma the creator is a jubilant celebration of our beautiful world - and a reminder to take good care of it. "Earth," said Big Momma, "Get over here." And it did. All one big ball of mud it was, nothing much to look at. Baby liked it all right just the way it was, but Big Momma wasn't finished yet. When Big Momma makes the world, she doesn't mess around. With a little baby on...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763611328
• ISBN13: 9780763611323
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.5" x 11.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

fun read, beautiful pictures, deep message on respecting our earth

My two year old daughter just loves this book. In the story, Big Mama creates a world in a very pragmatic and meaningful way. The words of the story fit well into the storytellers mouth and make the the book fun to read. I highly recommend this book and am very dissapointed by the negative reviews. I am going to buy it for every kid in my daughter's play group.

Theological rich, not misleading.

I am disappointed by the reviews that disparage this book. As someone trained in theology and deeply committed to a community of faith, I was encouraged to find a children's book that engaged theological questions, inviting young children to ask really powerful questions. I gave this to my five year old niece, and I have had the most compelling theological discussions with her after nighttime readings. The power of this book (beyond the illustrations) is its invitation. It does not aim at indoctrinating; instead, it demands something of the parent/person reading, something that perhaps the 'negative reviewers' do not want to do--think the big theological questions alongside their children.

Time to Accept It--God is a Woman

The author and illustrator of this book do a masterful job of conveying a contemporary feminist spiritual message without becoming preachy or pedantic, thus making the story very appealing to children of all ages. The text rolls off the tongue with a poetic fluidity and the paintings are so engaging that you will find yourself reading this book to your little ones again and again.

That's good, that's real good....

This fabulous version of the creation story/myth has my almost three-year-old mezmerized. Big Momma, part goddess, part buddha (as admitted by the illustrator) single-handedly makes the world (although her dishes and laundry do pile up in the process). Her daily accomplishments mirror the Genesis story of creation but with a Root-endowed Southern drawl. If you are able to appreciate the gender change, this is a lovely, refreshing version of creation your child is sure to love. It is well-written and beautifully illustrated.