Gerald McDermott
Gerald McDermott is a writer/illustrator who touches souls from toddler to adult. With color and design he takes myths and reworks them using his colors choices which symbolize feelings and characteristics. In Arrow to the Sun, he takes mythological ideas to a new audience and as he put it "mythology is what they call anybody else's religion." For him it has been a journey of more than thirty years through various mythologies.
The story of Genesis is his latest and a culmination of much of his effort in relating "mythology." He didn't want to do something that was narrowly sectarian. His goal was to produce a work that would appeal to a broader audience. How was he going to approach that subject-well according to his editor if he used the King James version of the story then he would need permission from Queen Elizabeth II, being an Irish Catholic-he decided that he wasn't going to do that. His first drafts of the story were awful-according the McDermott they were rejects from a Cecil B DeMills movie with the voice of Charleston Heston ringing thought the text.
He kept asking himself questions-What is it like before you were born? Is it the same as the creation of the world? Finally the words came to him-before time-and the text unfolded in 90 minutes. That may seems surprising, but remember that the ideas were floating in his head, and he was working, questioning and struggling before it all came together. "My telling is based on Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 of the Hebrew Bible, with an eye toward its antecedents in the ancient Near East, such as the Babylonian epic, Enuma Elish, and sources as diverse as the illuminated Bibles Moralisées of thirteenth-century France and the Sarajevo Haggadah of fourteenth-century Spain."
In Japan, he found some handmade papers from mulberry tress and began to paint on them. The book was published in the fall of 2003. It was given a starred review by Booklist, Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal. It was also chosen as one of the outstanding books of the year by Capital Choices, and it was also a 2004 Children's Literature Choice selection.
For more information on Gerald McDermott, visit his web site http://www.geraldmcdermott.com/.
Reviews
Arrow to the Sun
Gerald McDermott
This adaptation of the Pueblo Indian myth explains how the spirit of the Lord of the Sun is brought to the world of men. In this tale, a boy searching for his father is made into an arrow and shot to the sun. When he meets the Lord of the Sun, he is asked to prove himself by passing through the four chambers of ceremony--The Kiva of Lions, The Kiva of Serpents, The Kiva of Bees, and The Kiva of Lightning. The boy uses his bravery to pass these tests and becomes filled with the power of the sun. The Lord then turns him into an arrow and sends him back to the Pueblos. The boy brings the Sun's spirit to the world of man and, as a result, the people celebrate his return with the Dance of Life. 1974, Penguin, $16.99 and $5.99, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner 1975 United States
ISBN: 0-670-133698
Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest
Told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
Coyote's conniving energy reverberates in this vibrant retelling of one of his more disastrous schemes. In this latest adventure, Coyote wants to fly, sing, and dance like the crows. He believes his inability to do these things is what separates him from greatness. The crows agree to show Coyote how to fly, and share their wing feathers with him. As coyote soars through the air his pride swells. Coyote boasts that he is as great as the crows. Such haughtiness angers the crows, and just as Coyote is flying through the air, the crows decide to take back their feathers. Coyote plummets to a humiliating end. The energetic prose and bold illustrations make this picture book an entertaining read aloud. McDermott includes some background text on the evolving role of Coyote in folklore. 1994, Harcourt, $14.95, Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz (Children's Literature)
In this trickster tale, Coyote has a nose for trouble. He watches a group of crows and decides that he wants to learn how to fly. When he insists that the crows teach him how to fly, they use clever antics to trick him. Needless to say, the flying experience ends in disaster for the Coyote, who ends up burning his tail and getting covered in dust. McDermott uses vibrant hues to perfectly capture the essence of life in the desert. The slapstick humor and bright illustrations make this book a great resource for storytelling. 1994, Harcourt, $15.00, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1994; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 1994; Cahners; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1995 Folktales United States
National Association of Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Winner 1995 Folklore, Poetry, and Song United States
ISBN: 0-15-220724-4
Creation
Gerald McDermott
Quietly ecumenical, this story of creation draws on Genesis but with an eye toward its antecedents. Beginning with "I was before time. I was everywhere" the text proceeds through the familiar separation of the dark and the day, the mists, gathering of the seas out of which were brought the earth and all that grows, the heavens and all within, and between, the birds, fish, and animals, "with man and woman to care for them." The ending painting features a small baby-shape on an elegant black double page spread and the text, "I am all this. All this I am." Texture of the paintings resemble paper handmade of mulberry-bark but is created with gesso on fabric. They evoke with richly hued swirls, shapes, and sweeps the enormity of creation while suggesting some of the specificity in animals and plants. Black used as background and judiciously as shading lends drama and resonance to the simple, evocative text, all in all, a beautiful and colorful melding of pictures and flowing but spare text. 2003, Dutton, $16.99, Ages 4 to 10.
Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Gerald McDermott writes in the Author's Note that his intention with this book was to "welcome everyone, regardless of the direction from which they come, to enter into this ancient mystery with an open heart." He has achieved his goal magnificently. Beautifully told, the story of the creation of the world, the earth, and the earth's creatures is revealed. The narrator's voice is gentle and assuring. As beautiful as the story is, it is the pictures that are truly outstanding. They move from dark to light and invoke a sense of the primitive. Textures abound and in places, the images are reminiscent of petroglyphs. While the overall look of the book is a departure for McDermott, there are hints of his signature artwork in some spots. This book is truly a marvelous dovetailing of words and pictures. 2003, Dutton, $16.99, Ages 7 to 10.
Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Capital Choices, 2003; The Capital Choices Committee; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2003; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-525-46905-2
The Fox and the Stork
Gerald McDermott
Caldecott medallist McDermott, best known for his retelling of myths and folktales (Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest, Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Tale, and Musicians of the Sun), has retold a La Fontaine fable. Fox invites Stork for dinner, but serves the food in a manner that makes it impossible for Stork to eat. Greedy Fox eats it all. The tables are turned the next night when Stork invites Fox to dinner. Fox goes hungry and learns his lesson. The message is gently told and the illustrations are a delight. The emotions of each are clearly evident and especially those of Fox--his self-satisfaction and eventual contrition. A good beginning reader. A level 2 reader (grades 1-2) in the "Green Light Reader" series. 1999, Harcourt, $10.95 and $3.95, Ages 6 to 8.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-15-202343-7
ISBN: 0-15-202267-8
Jabutâi the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon
Told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
Many animals have been tricked by Jabutí, the flute-playing tortoise with the smooth, shiny shell. The angriest of all is the jealous Vulture. When the King of Heaven calls all the birds up to a festival, Jabutí wants to play his sweet music there. Vulture, seeing his chance for revenge, offers to fly Jabutí up there, but treacherously drops him on the rocks where his shell is shattered. The King of Heaven, however, sends the birds to find his pieces so they can put him together to play his music, and his tricks, again. McDermott uses the brilliant colors of the Amazon--lush greens, hot pinks, lapis blues--in his cubistic style to fashion the fantastic landscape and flocks of multi-hued jungle birds across the double pages. But it's the gray and black vulture with its small yellow eyes that makes the greatest impression by contrast. A source note is included. 2001, Harcourt, $16.00, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Jabuti the tortoise is known throughout the rain forest for the music he plays on his flute. He is a bit of a trickster so it reminds some of his friends of past tricks. But it reminds the jealous Vulture that he cannot play any music at all. So when the King of Heaven calls for a concert, Vulture offers to give Jabuti a ride. Of course you remember what happened to the Gingerbread Boy when he accepted a ride. Jabuti falls to the ground when Vulture drops him, but his friends help piece his shell back together again. While Jabuti does not outwit Vulture, according to McDermott's notes, there is a universal trickster theme that I was unaware of--creation comes from chaos. I think this makes it a particularly nice addition to the corpus of trickster tales for children. McDermott's illustrations are extraordinarily vivid, as I imagine the flowers are in that part of the world. 2001, Harcourt, $16.00, Ages 7 to 10.
Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Children's Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
State and Provincial Reading Lists: 2X2 Reading List, 2002; Nominee; Texas
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2003; Nominee; Kentucky
ISBN: 0-15-200496-3
Musicians of the Sun
Gerald McDermott
Caldecott Medalist Gerald McDermott has fashioned Musicians of the Sun from an ancient Aztec tale. Wind must battle powerful Sun in order to free four musicians from his greedy grasp and bring color and song to the despairing earth people. McDermott's stylized images, rendered in brilliant acrylics on paper handmade in Mexico, are a perfect complement to this spare, poetic text. 1997, Simon and Schuster, $17.00, Ages 3 to 8.
Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
When the Lord of the Night looks through his smoking mirror, down to earth, he sees a gray world with joyless people. He then commands the Wind to fly to the house of the Sun to free the four musicians, Red, Yellow, Blue and Green. After a mighty battle, Wind succeeds and the four musicians bring music, color and joy to the people on earth. The large format, brilliant illustrations done in acrylics, ink and oil pastels on hand-made Mexican paper, and dramatic text, would make this a good choice for story times. A source note and background information on this adaptation of an Aztec myth are included. 1997, Simon & Schuster, $17.00, Ages 4 to 10.
Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1998; Children's Literature; United States
Lasting Connections, 1997; American Library Association; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, December 1997; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Aesop Prize Accolade 1997 United States
ISBN: 0-614-29297-2
ISBN: 0-689-80706-6
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
Told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott.
In this Native American tale, the trickster Raven feels sorry for those who must live in darkness and decides to help them find light. He flies over mountains, valleys and lakes, and once he arrives at the land of the Sky Chief, the Raven changes his shape in order to outsmart everyone. After finding the sun in a beautiful box, he takes it in his beak and brings sunlight to the people. McDermott's dazzling full-color illustrations bring this enchanting Native American tale to life. 1993, Harcourt, $14.95, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Using his cleverness, Raven finds a way to bring light to the world. Dazzling, full-color art brings this Native American tale to life. It is a Caldecott Honor Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and an American Library Association Notable Book for Children. 1994, Harcourt Brace, $14.95, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Once the world was in darkness. It was Raven who offered to search for light. So he begins his quest. Raven sees light coming from Shy Chief's home. By transforming himself, he becomes the baby of Sky Chief's daughter. The doting grandfather will give his grandchild anything he desires, even the precious multi-colored box that glows. One guess what is in that box? Stylized designs reflect the patterns and motifs of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans. 1994, Harcourt Brace, $14.95, Ages 5 to 8.
Reviewer: Jan Lieberman (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1993; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Second Edition, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Lasting Connections, 1993; American Library Association; United States
Notable Books for Children, 1993; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Randolph Caldecott Medal Honor Book 1994 United States
ISBN: 0-15-265661-8
Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa
Told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
The mysterious and clever trickster Zomo wants wisdom, but before the Sky God will grant his wish, Zomo must first accomplish three impossible tasks. Although he gets the scales of Big Fish in the sea, the milk of Wild Cow, and the tooth of Leopard, Zomo needs to use courage, good sense, caution, and speed to stay one step ahead of everyone else. McDermott uses humor and dazzling illustrations to create a wonderful picture book. 1992, Harcourt Brace, $14.95, Ages 4 to 8.
Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Zomo wants wisdom, but he must accomplish three impossible tasks before Sky God will reward him with the gift of wisdom. Is Zomo up to the challenge? He must use cleverness and trickery to obtain the scales of Big Fish, milk Wild Cow and bring Sky God the tooth of Leopard. The big bold illustrations are a perfect match for this engaging folktale. 1992, Harcourt, $15.00, $22.00 (big book) and $5.00, Ages 4 up. Reviewer:
Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6, Tenth Edition, 1993; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1992; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, 1994; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Children's Book Award Winner 1994 Florida
Emphasis on Reading: A Children's Choice Book Award Program Winner 1993-1994 Grades K-2 Alabama
Treasure State Award Winner 1996 Montana
Young Hoosier Book Award Winner 1996 K-3 Indiana
State and Provincial Reading Lists:Treasure State Award, 1996; Nominee; Montana
ISBN: 0-15-299967-1
Added 05/31/04
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