The Story of Us

by Mitali Perkins, Kevin Howdeshell (Illustrator), Kristen Howdeshell (Illustrator)

Air. Water. Earth. Fire. Critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins paints a sweeping picture of the biblical redemption story in this luminous, lyrical picture book. At the beginning of all things, Creator uses the four elements to make humans. When creation falls into chaos--resulting in greed, war, and devastation--Redeemer comes to fix the mess, using air, water, earth, and fire to rebuild what has been broken. Ultimately, at the end of all things, Restorer arrives, calling us to partnership and eventually bringing lasting peace to all creation and healing to the earth. Through expansive, lyrical text from Mitali Perkins and stunning illustrations by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell, this thought-provoking work of art invites readers to ponder their own relationship to nature and the Divine. The book is a perfect way to prepare for Disney and Pixar's upcoming Elemental film (June 2023) and creates a space for good family conversations about caring for the earth, the "why" of natural disasters, and God's unfailing love.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christian

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

Mitali Perkins has written many books for young readers as well as a couple for adults, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for the National Book Award) Rickshaw Girl (a NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years, film adaptation at rickshawgirlmovie.com), Bamboo People (an ALA Top 10 YA novel), and Forward Me Back to You, which won the South Asia Book Award for Younger Readers. Her newest novel, Hope in the Valley, received five starred reviews and was selected as a Best Book for Young Readers by Kirkus and Book Page. She currently writes and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area: mitaliperkins.com.

Reviews

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitali Perkins accomplishes what seems to be impossible: summing up the full arc of the Christian story, creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, in a 32 page picture book. Her simple text shares the story with the Trinity, God the Creator, Redeemer, and Restorer, using the four elements of earth, air, water, and fire to make and remake the world we live in. Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell take this story and illustrate it with child-friendly artwork without resorting to the cartoon style so prevalent in contemporary picture books. I love that the book spends a few pages on life before the fall, a time that is rarely emphasized in Bible retellings. The Howdeshell's manage to show Adam and Eve naked, unashamed, yet appropriately covered for young eyes. This is a book that will be pored over by children and adults of all ages and will lead to discussions of theology, earth care, and social justice. I can't wait to share it with the children in my life.

Review based on an eArc through Edeweiss.

[Audrey Menard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew. I’ve found a new favorite. Stunning elemental creation story, redemption. Tracing material storylines: air, water, earth, fire. Playful, powerful, beautifully articulated and rendered.

[Wendy Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of picture book that your mind keeps returning to and you discover more beauty as you meditate on the story.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air. Water. Earth. Fire. In Greek philosophy, these were the four elements that comprise the Universe. Using that concept, The Story of Us offers a Creation retelling that purposefully connects humanity intimately to the universe in which they were created. They were for Us. We were for Them. Critically-acclaimed author Mitali Perkins exults over the Edenic paradise, highlighting humanity’s connection with nature, in poetic and powerful language that is accompanied by some incredible illustrations.

But then…We said: “No, Creator!” We said: “No Creator.” And with that, we went from being in harmony with Creation to fighting against it. Perkins emphasizes the struggle with nature, the tragedy of natural disasters, the attempts to subdue the earth and rule it through technological advances. It’s poignant and harsh.

But…One day, Redeemer came…And the script flips again, as The Story of Us speaks about how Jesus’s use of the natural elements in his healings and ministry foreshadowed a day when we would brought back into harmony with Creation.

There’s a lot going on in this book. A lot of unpack. And it works on multiple levels. Your youngest kids will be drawn in by the enrapturing illustrations, done by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell. Those slightly older and beginning to read will find The Story of Us accessible with a few challenges that will add to their vocabulary. And those of all ages can have conversations about the theme of The Story of Us and humanity’s connection with nature.

In a world that seems increasingly disconnected from nature, or whose encounters with nature are more of the subdue/dominate kind instead of nurture/love, The Story of Us is a reminder of how we are part of Creation and that we are meant to both join with creation and join with the Creator in collaborating together a world of flourishing.

[Corrie Haffly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of Us by Mitali Perkins is another library book that I intend to purchase! It is such a beautiful book — pictures and words — about God, humans, and the four elements, woven together to tell the story of creation, chaos, redemption, and restoration. The relationship between humans and nature shapes the narrative, and the illustrations by the Howdeshells give shape to the words in gorgeous color and texture.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant! Stunningly beautiful art and poetic text come together to create a wonderful picture book that explores chaos and creation, conflict and harmony, the story of us and the Earth - before, now, and hopefully the future. Tying together elements of nature, humanity, and faith.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique nonfiction picture book tells the Christian story of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation through the lens of nature, focusing on how humanity's fractured relationship with God affects our relationship with nature, and how Jesus entered nature, used it as part of his ministry, and will one day restore it and us. The illustrations are dynamic and engaging, and the simple text has great poetic power. I would give this book five stars if there had been an author's note to explain the background and specific biblical references to audiences who are unfamilar with the source material.

[Sandra]

I guess the title implied US was the human race, not just the christian population.

Thanks for the reminder that a large number of US are intentionally excluded.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

1/10/23 Read with Andres

[Mindy Shearer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about Adam and Eve, but I found it a strange and confusing mixture of Bible and maybe new age stuff? It is poetic, but I think most children will be confused by it. I sure was.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose.