Big Momma Makes the World

by Phyllis Root, Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)

"Among the many creation retellings and variations, this one takes the cake." —  The Horn Book  (starred review)

When Big Momma makes the world, she doesn’t mess around. With a baby on her hip and laundry piling up, she demands light and dark, earth and sky, creepers and crawlers, and lots of folks to trade stories with on the front porch. And when the work is done, Big Momma, she is pleased all right. "That’s good," she says. "That’s real good." With down-home language and infectious rhythms, Phyllis Root spins a creation myth like no other, brilliantly illustrated by the incomparable Helen Oxenbury.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Paganism, Religion, Theology, Fantasy

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

"Picture books are performances," says Phyllis Root, quoting some sage advice she once received. "They're performances that involve a child--something both of you do. And once I started thinking of them that way, I started getting much looser about making up words and playing around with rhythm."

Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.


The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.


A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.


When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now generally speaking, Phyllis Root's Big Momma Makes the World is an interesting as well as rather an enjoyable and entertaining reimagining of the Old Testament Creation account, but not with God (not with a decidedly male deity) but with a female entity known as Big Momma (and her baby son) making and fabricating the universe, the earth, and our planet's flora and fauna (and generally pretty much according to the same timeline and sequence of events as is depicted in the first creation account found in Genesis, but with some rather obviously theistic evolution concepts thrown in for good measure and that very much unlike in Genesis, fortunately mankind is shown as also being created en masse, and therefore just like how plants and animals had previously been put into existence by Big Momma, and with no Adam and Eve, no Garden of Eden like storyline).

But truth be told and personally speaking (and indeed, I would say that a book such as Big Momma Makes the World could more than likely often if not even generally tend to engender very much individual and even potentially emotionally charged responses and reactions), while I have definitely found Big Momma Makes the World both engaging and pleasurable, I do very much think that I would most definitely prefer either a totally and utterly mythological, folkloric retelling of the Biblical Creation account or an entirely at best deistic evolutionary tale, with Big Momma (or whatever type of creative force) residing well above and removed from the actual process of world forming.

Basically, I guess I mean to say that I was kind of hoping for Big Momma to be the type of creator figure who would provide ONLY the original spark but then leave the formation and development of the world to natural processes, to evolution and geological phenomenons, to deep time and slow changes over time (not to mention that I do have to wonder whether younger children having Big Momma Makes the World read to them might not be a bit confused as to what type of a story this really is, whether Big Momma Makes the World promotes creationism or evolutionary theories, as the book certainly does seem to be an at times a bit strange combination of theism and creationism, of a deliberately and actively fabricating and creating deity like entity who then also makes sporadic use of evolution it seems, which while I as an older adult reader have found this concept both fun and even engagingly evocative and provocative to a certain extent, it might also be rather confusing and confounding to and for the intended audience, to and for younger children).

Still Big Momma Rules the World is most certainly and indeed warmly recommended by me as a solid three star offering (with delightful and visually stunning accompanying illustrations by Helen Oxenbury, although I do feel that I should and must leave the necessary caveat that Big Momma's baby son is always depicted as completely naked and that the picture of countless unclothed humans emerging from a huge ball of mud, whilst not in any way inappropriate in my opinion, I did and do find especially that particular image aesthetically a trifle visually off-putting, as many of the humans seem to be depicted as being caught in and by the mud, as being in potential physical distress).

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

On one hand, this has lovely illustrations and the story is interesting and engagingly told. But, it's very odd story and I think many will find it problematic. It's such a jumble. I'm not really sure what the point is here. At first, I wondered if maybe it was an allegory for motherhood -- you have your first baby and suddenly it is up to you to "create their world" and gradually expose them to more and more of the world, beyond just the light and darkness of waking or sleeping, the immediacy of eating and bonding, to eventually expose them to nature and animals and the vastness of human society. But, I'm really not sure that works with how the story here is ultimately told. It's also problematic in other ways. It is very close to the Genesis story and I think that many people would find it rather blasphemous. (It also mentions the Big Bang.) Even if we remove that criticism, it's still told in rather an odd way. One moment we are talking about the bothers of laundry and the next about creating all of humanity? Big Momma's style of speech, while perhaps meant only to be folksy, doesn't match the overall tone of the story or the illustrations. Sure there are some cute parts, like how the baby was perfectly happy just having mud and dirt to play in -- but Big Momma wanted to create more than that. But, overall, it was just too much of a jumble for me. I also had a problem with the visual portrayal of Big Momma. In the illustration of the humans being created from mud, we have people of all races (I'm sure some parents will be horrified that some naked bottoms are shown but I personally didn't mind that) but Big Momma and her baby are clearly Caucasian. I really feel uncomfortable with this. If we are going to have such a fanciful and "new" creation story, why not make Big Momma and her baby more fanciful in rendering? Less humanoid? Or at least give her some sort of neutral skin tone -- why not make her a lovely light shades of green or blue to match the earth and oceans? -- so that we are not assigning a skin tone to the creator that matches the skin tone of some of her human creations but not all of them? While I am generally a fan of Phyllis Root and Helen Oxenbury, I just can't be enthusiastic about this book.

[mlb]

A clever twist on the biblical creation story that ends in the "big bang". The world is created by a mother who is seen in every illustration with her young baby on her hip. The story paints an image of a strong and powerful mother figure who gets things done. Big Mama is practical and matter of fact. Her language is familiar and accessible. The story is told in a way that is not preachy--it is comforting and at time humorous. The illustrations by Helen Oxenbury are beautiful and soothing, celebrating the beauty of nature and the diversity of all earth's inhabitants. This story was inspired by the author's children and the stories they made up as they tried to explains the wonders they saw all around them in nature.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't get it. I mean, it's pretty. But it's neither related to science at all, nor is it respectful of any traditional myth that I've ever heard of. So, what's the deal; what's going on?
---
I read Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration and it's also about single parenting, and it's about women actually being creators, and etc. Up a star!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a creative look on the story of creation, showing how a divine creator made our world and all of the things and creatures in it.

The acrylic full-page illustrations are alternated with a page of narrative in a large font. It's an engaging story and I really enjoyed it.

This book was featured as one of the selections for the February 2020: Celebrating Phyllis Root discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads.

interesting quotes:

"'Sun,' said Big Momma, 'you take care of this day business for me.'
'Moon,' said Big Momma, 'you take care of the night.'" (pp. 18-19 - unpaged)

"This is a real nice world we got here, and you all better take some good care of it.'" (p. 40 - unpaged)

[SamZ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm just not a fan. I don't understand why this book was written. As a retelling of the Genesis creation story, it seems a bit on the sacrilegious side. As a funny tale, it falls flat, and if you're looking for a scientific introduction to the beginning of the Earth (as the book does, briefly mention the big bang), it is completely inaccurate.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when God is portrayed as a woman, powerful and good. Mormons believe that Heavenly Father has a counterpart in Heavenly Mother and I so wish She got more air time. Big Momma Makes the World just whets my appetite for female diety.

Big Momma is warm, creative, and maternal, but she's also no-nonsense, no-fuss, and completely in control. Following the pattern of creation outlined in Genesis, Big Momma creates light and dark, sun and moon, earth and sky. She commands the grass and trees to grow and delicious fruits for her baby to eat.

Then, the story notes, "Lots of folks would be plenty pleased, but Big Momma, she doesn't quit a job till it's done and done right." Next it's whales, birds, and fish, "more whales and catfish and mockingbirds and crows than a little baby could shake a stick at, which a little baby could do if a little baby wanted to, since Big Momma had already made all those trees full of sticks."

Finally, Big Momma finishes the job in "one Big Bang!" with every sort of animal exploding out of a burst of light. Except despite her joy in all she's created so far, something's missing. "I need some folks to keep me company." So she takes leftover mud and makes "big folks and little folks. Fat folks and thin folks. All kinds of shades of folks. And every one of those folks had a story to swap with Big Momma."

Big Momma is the queen of multi-taskers, but she is a momma first, delighting in playing with her baby and showing that little baby all the wonders of the world she created. The warm illustrations invite the reader in and fit the comforting cadence of the story perfectly.

To read more reviews, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't resist this book when I saw it at Powell's. It's the traditional creation story from Genesis, except that Big Momma makes the world and it isn't easy with that Little Baby sittin' on her hip. But she's Big Momma, so no problem.

This book reads like soul food tastes, like blue grass sounds, and like a warm summer night smells. Not only is is fun to read (quietly or aloud), it gives another perspective on creation concepts. I don't think I can have too many different creation stories on my book shelf.

This book (to quote Big Momma) is "...good. That's real good."

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

A creation story very similar to Genesis...but with Big Momma as the creator. I wasn't a huge fan of the text or the illustrations.

[Nick Swarbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich illustrations of a feminised creation myth from a good pairing of author and artist. I say “feminised” because, while it bursts with wit and originality it really is a retelling of the start of Genesis, with a solemn ecological warning at the end. A funny, lovely and loving way to reinterpret the story.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is very loosely based on Genesis 1. Instead of the Lord doing the creating, it is a woman (Big Momma) with a baby. And by very loosely, the author has reversed days 3 and 4 in her book. In the Bible, the plants are created on day 3 and the sun, moon and stars on day 4. On day 6, when Big Momma is making the land animals, the bottom of the page says, "One Big Bang!" And the illustration is of animals bursting forth from a sun-like area. But, instead of the big bang, the author should have called it the Cambrian explosion, where 40 major animal groups appear out of nowhere at the bottom of the fossil record. And, instead of just creating one man and one woman, and telling them to be fruitful and multiply, this Big Momma creates a bunch of people all at once. And this Big Momma just sits up on her cloud and doesn't get much involved with her world at all. Suffice it to say, I prefer the Biblical version. The illustrations in acrylics are very nice, and the baby is quite cute. But otherwise, I can't say that I like it much.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow I missed hearing about this book, only got to it now as I'm working through the Hornbook picture book winners while I take a break from the Newbery winners.

I recently read Mrs. Noah's Pockets and thought it was so much fun to have a biblical tale told like a folktale. Well, that's exactly what this is and it's even more fun.

I'm usually not a fan of Oxenbury's illustration style, but, her illustrations worked great in this. Definitely a recommended if you are not the sort who gets offended by retellings.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big Momma Makes The World is a "myth" on creation. Big Momma is the main character who represents God. The story is a light-hearted take on the creation theory. To be quite honest I would not use this book in my classroom. However an activity I would use is a rountable discussion of the story. A second activity would include having the students write a myth about the evolution theory.

[Meribeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother’s warmth also suffuses a rollicking tale whose characters float in watery blue and black backgrounds with only an occasional yellow and orange as the story begins. Then, by the fourth day, greens and reds spice the illustrations, and following pages explode with colors.
Big Momma does NOT mess around! Despite the baby on her hip, she rolls up her sleeves and gets busy. Each day’s work concludes with a review of her achievements. Her buoyant evening benediction, “That’s good. That’s real good,” is the repetition that gives shape to a woman’s version of the creation story.
The marriage of laughing story with pictures to tickle one's imagination is an appealing combination that earned the Boston Globe Horn Book award. Parents and children will happily read and re-read.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light-hearted retelling of creation, with Momma bringing the world into being and order with her infant baby at her side. The Genesis narrative provides a framework for Root to improvise in various directions, but this certainly does not hold remotely closely to the biblical account. It also serves as a parable or tribute to the mothers who hold the world together with their energy, wit, and creativity. Oxenbury's illustrations are amusing and powerful. Blue text on white background is effective, but the blue-on-white illustrations don't work as well. The "Dark..." illustration on the other hand is stunning, and the depiction of the creation of the animals and humans is unexpected and innovative. This clearly was an enjoyable and energizing project for Oxenbury.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

By recasting the role of god as a mother, Root endows her retelling of the Genesis creation myth with a new sense of urgency and motivation: of course she would create ground, because what else would her baby’s first steps be upon? Of course she creates sticks for little hands to grasp; of course there are animals for the baby to meet. Root also navigates the path between the religious and the secular by allowing space for both a central omnipotent figure—of course a mother!—and for a two-page spread illustration of the Big Bang, as big on the page as Mama is in the story. The consistency of the logic and fresh retelling of such a familiar story in so few words is a beautiful example of Root’s economy of language.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting retelling of the Christian creation mythos. Very sweet and engaging. A good way to introduce a child to the idea, especially a child not being raised in a Christian household that still needs to know the story for some reason or other.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re-telling of the 7 days of Creation.

[Violinknitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL THE STARS!!!! I loved this book soooo much!!!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful.

[Alane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot damn! The creation story as Mama perspective. Beautiful drawings and lovely Southern American lilt.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun retelling of the Genesis seven day creation story

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oxenbury's illustrations are a lovely as always. The story is homey and a nice take on the creation story.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of creation made me smile. Very fun while still challenging.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool. Very.

This is a great story of how the world was potentially made.

[Hendrix Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost perfect!!!! Points lost for the mud ball of humanity image which read a bit Hieronymus Bosch to me.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and creative retelling of the creation story

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting to log all my Silas books lol

[lanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book. It is beautiful and tells a creation story from a different perspective A female creator with all of her children. Love love love it. Read it to my children when they were little and used an accent. They loved it too!!

[Sarah Skepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Momma Makes the World is a different view of the Christian's perspective of God. In the book God is portrayed as a single mother with a baby. The story starts out with the mother and her baby alone, and then throughout the book Big Momma starts making the world, and at the end of each day she says "That's good. That's real good." By the end of the book she has made the entire world, and everyone living inside of it to enjoy it with her.
The genre I would put this under is fiction. I say this because on further examination of the author I found out that she wrote this book to symbolize what language and the people she grew up with as a child. She just wanted a different perspective, and people loved reading this story!
Although I do not agree with how it was written, I did think it very interesting of this different outlook on God. Being a Christian I have only had one view of God, and this it the exact opposite of what I have learned. It is beneficial for those who may not like how a male figure creates everything, to be introduced to a different view on God (in this story) to be a female, and a mother at that. As I read through the book it repeatedly talks about how strong Big Momma is and how nothing will stop her from accomplishing her tasks. She is very independent, it seems to have more of a feminist view which a lot of people would enjoy reading.
I chose this book for my text set because it has a variety of things for children to think about when they are reading it, and gives them something to explore when they are done reading it (for example why is God usually said to be male?). The illustrations are really nice to look while reading, one page goes from pitch black to bright colors. It adds a lot to the story!
The culture within book is deep, rich Southern culture. It is very obvious within the book and its setting: the language, Big Momma, and how she does things make you feel like you're in the deep south.