At Break of Day

Ages 5-10

Once upon a time there was no time. There was no earth, or sky, or sea. There was only darkness and the waters of the deep and a father and son who watched over them.

So begins this awe-inspiring retelling of the creation story. In At Break of Day, God the Father and God the son are artists who delight in their creation. Nikki Grimes's poetic text celebrates the wonders of the universe and its creatures and the loving collaborative effort that brings it into existence. Paul Morin's bold, textured paintings capture the intense excitement of a universe called into being out of nothingness and powerfully convey the raw splendor of the new creation.

AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS
Cooperative Children's Book Center, CCBC Choices (2000)
Children's Book Council, Not Just for Children Anymore! (2001)
National Council of Teachers of English, Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children to Nikki Grimes (2006)

Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Grimes bases this striking interpretation of the Genesis creation stories on Hebrews 1:1-2. . . The son is at the heart of the tale, performing the acts of creation; the approving father names each of the son's works. Grimes captures the essence of a father/son relationship, with its mutual love and admiration, while also conveying the unique status of this particular father/son dynamic. Her lyrical gifts are everywhere in abundance, set out with a deceptive simplicity that evokes an oral tradition. Fittingly, Morin's mixed-media illustrations also evoke the art of oral cultures. His animals, fish and flowers look as if they are made of fabric, embroidered or woven, painted on clay. . . the patterns and designs conjure up images of indigenous art from around the world."