K-Gr 3–This framing of the story from Genesis casts Eve as a heroine and celebrates knowledge not as humanity’s downfall, but as a glorious opportunity. Eve’s earnest curiosity may be familiar to young readers whose minds are also exploding with questions like, “Why is the sky blue?” and “How do turtles grow shells?” The central question in this narrative is “How can knowledge be dangerous?” and in Kimmelman’s careful framing, it turns out not to be dangerous after all. God expresses disappointment in Adam and Eve’s disobedience but never implies that their exile from Eden is a punishment. While Adam uselessly panics, Eve recognizes that although the future is scary, God is giving them the opportunity for an “amazing adventure.” The jewel-toned palette of the digital illustrations brings the lush garden to life, while Eve’s flowing hair gives each spread a sense of movement and also serves to hide the characters’ naked bodies. An author’s note asks readers to consider a time when they, like Adam and Eve, experienced a “big, funny mix of feelings,” and celebrates these moments of contradiction and ambivalence as a fundamental aspect of the human condition.
VERDICT After thousands of years of one interpretation, the old story is reinvigorated by this perspective, making it a welcome addition to collections.
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