Earth, Fire, Water, Air

by Mary Hoffman, Jane Ray (Illustrator)

Dramatizes the original elements known to the ancient world--earth, fire, water, and air--recounting tales of how these life-giving elements gave rise to legends, gods, heroes, and mythical beasts.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mythology

80 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

See also works published under Mary Lassiter

Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.

Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel

Reviews

[ambyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up shortly after it came out because I fell in love with the pictures. Kid!ambyr had good taste; I still love the pictures. The text has aged . . . less well. The book is a mismatch of environmental science content and myths and legends, none of them told particularly in-depth. Christian traditions show up half a dozen times; Jewish traditions, never. Myths are vaguely attributed to "native Americans," not specific tribes. Some mythological figures (from Greek and Roman and Norse traditions) are namechecked with no explanation of the actual stories, which has gotten be frustrating if you're a kid and don't already know who they are. And the overall tone is bleak and grim, with very few lights of hope in its "humans are destroying the earth" theme--which may be accurate, but is a lot for a kid to take.

At least if you do read this aloud to a kid, you can add in the good news: the hole in the ozone that the text is so concerned about is at this point mostly repaired. Sometimes people do change. Sometimes things do get better.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this one, and the exploration of the four elements is full of reverence and wonder. But I have a hard time with preachy environmentalism in children's books, and I disliked the way it was integrated into what should have been a celebration.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book ever since I taught elementary school; telling the story of existence through the elements makes it somehow unifying, and Jane Ray's art reveals eternity in tiny pieces. I bought it for 1 cent on Amazon, and I'm going to keep it forever.

[Andrea Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the lush, folk-art inspired illustrations. Beautiful imagery and message to care for the earth.

[Rachelle DeMunck · Rating 4 out of 5]

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