The Creation: A Poem

by James Weldon Johnson, Carla Golembe (Illustrator)

A poetic retelling of the creation story from Genesis, by a distinguished African-American poet and preacher, describes the making of the heavens and the earth, from the first light, to the coming of the animals, to the creation of humankind.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Religion, African American, Childrens, Art, Christian

30 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James Weldon Johnson was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. Johnson is remembered best for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore. He was also one of the first African-American professors at New York University. Later in life he was a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University.

Reviews

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every February, I am on the lookout for picture books that celebrate Black History in an edifying way. Much of mainstream media perceives black people in terms of slavery, racism, reparations, etc. with the sinister intent of pitying blacks and hating whites. I find it sad that we do not focus more on the beautiful, specifically spirituals and poetry. We need to focus on the good instead of anger and bitterness if we truly want to celebrate black Americans and the beautiful art they gave us.

The Creation is such a book. It offers beautiful illustrations as well as lovely vocabulary and imagery. The only drawback for me is how God is described as "being lonely," implying that is why He created the world. I don't think it's ever wise to bring God down to our level of emotions; loneliness is never used in the Bible to describe God. I would definitely explain to the children I'm reading this to that the book is a loose retelling of Genesis 1.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text is taken from a poetic sermon written in 1919, illustrated by James Ransome in 1994. Features his signature style of textured paint, realisticly vibrant and bold. Begs to be read aloud. 1994 winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book used a lot of flowery language and had beautiful illustrations. Those two elements alone kept me very engaged in the story. When I picked up this book, I assumed it would be telling the story of how God created the world. I was right. However, as I read along, I realized this story to be very embellished compared to the story in Genesis. I think it's beautifully written but probably something I wouldn't read to my future children or a classroom of children. Mostly because this book is so different from the story found in the Bible. I think this story can easily paint God differently than who He reveals Himself to be in Scripture.
I can't see myself ever reading this to any of my future students, even at a private school. However, one thing that I did love about it was how the characters in the illustrations were African American. I think it is very important for children of all races to see themselves in the books educators choose to read to them. I will most definitely be very conscious of this as I choose books to read to my students!

[Michael Lausche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This free verse poetry book is one that captures the reader's attention in the aspect of telling God's story of his creations. The way James Weldon Johnson sets the setting consists of a man sitting down by a shade tree, with children gathered around to learn a valuable lesson about the creation of the Earth. His way of intriguing the children/reader is by writing the story in a fascinating form if God making the Earth a place of "light" or "hope". One part of the book that exemplifies this tone was when Johnson described God creating the living creatures of the word: "And quicker than God could Drop His hand, Fishes and fowls and beasts and birds Swam the rivers and the seas, Roamed the forests and the woods, And split the air with their wings, and God said, 'That's Good!'". The illustrations of the book also creates a wonderful image of the beauty of the Earth, obtained from the poetry of the book. Pictures of the mountains, grassy lands, creeks flowing, and many more depictions of "The Creation", all demonstrate the purity of the Earth. Recommended for children grades 3-5.

[Prachi]

This book is a long poem about creation lol, It is a folklores way of describing how our universe came to be. We follow God on his journey of making the world. I liked this book, I thought it was interesting that this poem was in a sermon. I loved the illustrations, super vibrant and full of life, illustrations were fitting for God creating earth. They were vivacious and lively describing life in a beautiful light. This story would belong great in a folklore lesson in a classroom. I enjoyed this book and I think children will also. Usually only Greek and roman mythology is taught in school and this is along the same ballpark but in a completely different way

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poem originally written in 1919 tells the biblical story of God’s creation of the world. The free verse “captures the rhythm and character of southern Black Country sermons in the 1800s.”

The illustrations are just gorgeous. They show a black storyteller telling the creation story to a group of children.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good use of the creation story!

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A far too religious book for children.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 for illustrations.

[Crisparkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated copy of the poem. I used this as part of our study of the poet.

[Kayla Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of how God created the Earth and everything in it. The story is in the words, but the illustrations do most of the heavy lifting telling how the story is being told. Without the illustrations the audience would not know that an older gentleman, who appears to be a Grandfather, is passionately telling this story of the creation to a group of suspenseful children (likely grandchildren) who are gathered in a circle around him. There are additional illustrations of things like animals, plant life, canyons, and oceans throughout the book that pertain to the story of the creation of the world, but the illustrations of the Grandfather figure and his “grandchildren” remain the most significant as they give the context of the story. In them the audience can see that the story telling takes place on a sunny day with children huddled around in a circle to listen. They know that the man telling the story is doing so with charisma by his expressions and body movements, such as the wideness of his eyes or the lifting of his hands in certain illustrations. They know the children are listening intently based on the expressions on their faces and they assume that this man and these children are family because of how close they are sitting and the way they bow their heads together at the end. The illustrations are sunny and bright, ultimately celebrating the story of creation being told and the relationship between the man telling it and the children listening. The major themes in this book are nature, creation, and story-telling. The book is really such a good picture of a good story being told by an animated story teller. This would be a good book to teach about creation and storytelling. Students might be asked questions about the illustrations and what the older man is doing to captivate his audience. Then they might be asked to come up with their own story to tell.

Johnson, J. W. (1994). The Creation. Illus. J. E. Ransome. New York, NY: Holiday House.

[Emily Moog · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Creation is a telling of a story of the creation of the world from an elderly man’s perspective. There is no indication verbally throughout the story that this man is speaking, but the illustrations by James E. Ransome show his movements and character in story-telling to children. The narrative goes through each day of creation and the dialogue between God and man. With each page, there is a picture of the African American man telling the story to children and their subsequent reactions to his words. On the opposite pages, if not a full next page, there are pictures of what God created. The illustrations are painted and full of lively color. The words in the book do not single out black experience or African American heritage specifically, but the illustrations show Adam as a man of color and portray the characters in the book to be girls and boys of color as well. This book would provide the Creation story from a man of color's perspective which is not seen a lot in picture books. The diversity is important.

[Mloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this poem...I remember having to learn the entire poem from the beginning of the year through christmas in sixth grade just so the whole class could perform it infront of an audience in competition with other schools. It was awesome! It's kind of a right passage at the school I attended because my sister had to learn this poem as well so by the time I got to sixth grade, I pretty much knew it by heart already. Now that my nephew enjoys reading as well and he enjoys his mom (my sister) reading to him, this book will make an excellent addition to his collection and a really cool way for my sister to share with him something from her youth. I was so thrilled discovering this book.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Creation is a poetic retelling of the Genesis creation myth and it works very well as a poem picture book. Johnson’s words are from 1919 but they don’t sound dated at all and are very appropriate for modern readers. The poem is a faithful interpretation of the Genesis account told in the style of a sermon in a black country church. Ransome makes a great decision in choosing to illustrate the story as if it were being told by an old, trusted, storyteller sitting under a tree with a group of children listening with rapt attention. His people are realistic and his portrayals of God’s creation are inspiring and stand on their own. I was particularly impressed by his simple pictures of the sun and the moon and his powerful image of a horse galloping through a river.

[Mariah Mathews]

The Creation setting is set in the South. This is a poetic book that tells about how life was created and where man came from. This is a very colorful picture book as it depicts the story of life. The book is about what God has created including many different animals. It goes through the first seven days of creation. The theme of the book is creation and life. It would be hard for a teacher to use this book to teach students because creation is not allowed to be a topic of conversation in public schools.

[Jezreel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poem is based on creation and how god made the earth and everything in it. This type of poetry is a narrative poem because it is telling a story about creation. Mr. Johnson includes in this story how God brought about the sun, the moon, the stars and the animals. In conclusion in his poem he includes how God created man and the poem bursts with excitement as man was created in God's own image.

[Valerie Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a good book to read to a group of elementary children about creation. It is a children's book that works hand in hand with the bible, in teaching the children about the first seven days of creation. The illustration by James Ransome is beautiful. The images of the older Afro American man telling the group of children about God's creation can make you feel like you are sitting down underneath the tree with them listening to him talk.

[Christina Fonner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rated this a 2 start because its only good for those who believe that god created the world. This story is basically in detail of how god created the world and showing visuals along with the story. There are most likely going to be a mixture of religions in my classroom; and I would much love my day without parents getting upset with my book selection in my classroom. But great book for children who do believe that god was the creator of this earth; others think differently.

[Taylor Hainley]

"The Creation" by James Weldon is a children's poetry book. This poetry book is all about the story of God and how he created this Earth and everything in it. I would not read this to my class, but I might talk to my principle about keeping it in my classroom library. I lot of students parents might not want their children to learn about this or do not believe in it. Therefore, I would not want to offend anyone in my classroom.

[Kelsea Breedlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Creation uses poems to describe to readers about the creation of the earth through the bible. It is based off of Christian beliefs. If I were to use this in my classroom I would also to have other books that would allow for my students to explore how other religions view the creation of the earth. It could be used during social studies when we discuss different religions and their belief system.

[Hailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a poem about the bible and creation. It describes in language children can read the story of the bible.
I don't really like this book because most children on this grade level will not get poetry yet. I do like the illustrations though and how it is mostly African Americans in the book.
I would not have this book in my classroom

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very passionate and spiritual story. I like how the author made it a narrative, It made me feel like I was reading a story that was being told to me. It was not your typical rhymming poetry but the words were just as good. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Ama · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I "heard" it in Paul Harvey's voice a la "So God Made a Farmer" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quzhwk... Perhaps that is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this picture book.

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not only does this "poetic retelling" take extensive liberties with clear Biblical text, it also entirely voids the existence of Eve. I do not like this book one bit save for the beautiful James Ransome illustrations.

[Natalie Traylor]

This is a poetry book that describes how God created the Earth.

I am not sure if I would be able to use this book in my classroom. I would love to teach all of my students how God created the Earth, but unfortunately, I am not allowed to.

[Fairelight Silverwings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read this particular edition, but this poem is one of my absolute favorites of all times. Would love to be able to read it with the appropriate chant and rhythm!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful unique version of creation story with beautiful illustrations

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful poetic rendition of the Genesis creation story in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

[Regina Ajiboye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great book telling the story about how God created the earth for a young mind to see visually.

[Mandi Aubrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed that the story ended with God making Adam.