Recommended by Ann Carlson

The Blessing Seed: A Creation Myth for the New Millennium, by Caitlin Matthews and illustrated by Alison Dexter (1998, Barefoot Books) is a charming retelling of the Hebrew Bible’s story of “Creation” (rather than “the Fall”), a story shared in essence by all the world’s Abrahamic religions. This retelling makes room for hope, good stewardship of the earth, and equal value of both men and women. The illustrations are bold and original.

This is a nurturing book written for children, but appealing to all. The Woman ate the unripened fruit of knowledge from the Tree of Life, but God was not angry. God said humans were created “for their longing to know.” He encouraged the man and woman to walk the 4 paths of wonder, emptiness, making and coming home. “These 4 paths of life will help you to learn and to care.” (book jacket)

“And God blessed them both, saying, ‘I will ripen your gift as you walk the paths of light. Your gift will be a blessing seed. It will leap from your hearts into the hearts of others. Go now and spread my blessing throughout the Earth.”