People of Corn: A Mayan Story

by Mary-Joan Gerson, Carla Golembe (Illustrator)

From the time they lived in jungle cities with huge stone pyramids, the Mayan people have believed that corn is the spirit of life. This story tells how the first people on earth were actually made from corn. Beginning in the present-day, this lively story explains how important corn is and has always been to the Mayan people of Central America. The story explains how Plumed Serpent and Heart of Sky created everything in the world - except people. But these powerful gods made mistakes creating humans until they realized that they needed the wisdom of Grandmother of Light to help them. Bold, bright borders and patterns based on traditional Mayan symbols and cloths add to the vibrant paintings that dramatize this well-told folktale.

Genres: Spirituality, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A creation story

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only does corn provide the Maya people with life by feeding them but they believe that they were made from corn by their deities. The story of the Maya creation is explained in this story.

[L11-Mary Utterback · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of the Mayan people and how they believed they came to be. The Mayans believed that they were made from corn and corn was to be celebrated. This is a beautiful retelling of an ancient story. There is a brief history of the meaning of this story at the end of the book. It helps to fully understand the origin.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of the creation of Mayan people by the gods from sacred corn.

[Ashley Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a chance to read this book to pagan children as they began a new school year. It really explains why some people become disillusioned as they grow.