A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 295

Picture Book: And God Created Squash: How the World Began

Author: Martha Whitmore Hickman

Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri

Summary: This delightful retelling of the familiar creation story is playful and yet it aligns well with the Genesis scripture stories. Here God speaks to God’s self a great deal in very affirming and familiar ways. Phrases like: “So far so good,” “Good idea,” and “I like that!” are prevalent. God goes ahead and names many of the things that are created. “Squash” is one of God’s favorite names so it is used for acorn squash, butternut squash, zucchini squash, the game squash, and even the act of putting a hand on something and pressing down – squash!  When God’s making is about complete, God says, “But something’s missing. I’m lonesome. I’d like some company. How about something…well, more like me?” And people are made. Then God tells them, “Bless you! I have big plans for you…. I’d like you to have children.” And in no time they do, many different kinds. God invites them to ask questions anytime and reminds them that they were made for company, for God and for each other, so “if you want me, speak my name.”

Hanna’s Comments: You can tell from the summary above that this picture book does leave out the part of the Genesis story about the eating of the forbidden fruit and the expulsion from the garden. Here God’s hope for humans is in its purest form. Sin and evil are not mentioned. Instead you have an amusing and delightful version of God that is affirming of the potential for relationship that God has with all of creation, especially human beings.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Albert Whitman & Co., 1993

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 29

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: God Book, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, animals, awe, babies/children, beauty, beginnings/morning, breath/breathing/wind, creation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, God's nature, humanity, image of God, life, prayer, questions/questioning, relationships, wisdom

Scripture Connections: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children during a lesson on the creation stories in Genesis.