The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Ekua Holmes

My thoughts:  The art in this book is dark. But understanding the event being depicted as the beginning of the Universe - stars, suns, planets. It is, however, interesting and does capture the essence of galaxies, nebula, etc. The dark imagery explodes into swirls of reds, orange, blues, yellows.

The text is poetry and is well done making for a nice read.

The problem with this secular book is that it delves into the beginnings and mixes up the theory of a "Big Bang" explosion as the beginning and then mentions a "weighty God."  I understand that some who believe in God also hold to the theory of a Big Bang as the explosive beginning of the Universe and don't see a conflict in their theology.

For a secular book the poem is good, the illustrations other-worldly, and the concept of love sweetly brought out.

As a Christian (or for those whose theology is Judaeo-Christian) the origin of the Universe began as the spoken word of God. As the author said,  "weighty God."  And for me, personally, I believe firmly in the Creation of all things by God. That is, Jehovah God.

I think this book's poetic explanation of the beginning of our wonderful and beautiful Universe and Earth is quite moving and exceptionally well done. I can not, however, personally recommend it.

About the book: In an astonishing unfurling of our universe, Newbery Honor winner Marion Dane Bauer and Caldecott Honor winner Ekua Holmes celebrate the birth of every child.

Before the universe was formed, before time and space existed, there was . . . nothing. But then . . . BANG! Stars caught fire and burned so long that they exploded, flinging stardust everywhere. And the ash of those stars turned into planets. Into our Earth. And into us. In a poetic text, Marion Dane Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when our universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Ekua Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies. A seamless blend of science and art, this picture book reveals the composition of our world and beyond -- and how we are all the stuff of stars.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone, and are freely given.