How the Gods Created the Finger People

K-Gr 4—After the gods in heaven created trees, flowers, birds, and animals, they were still lonely. So in order to feel loved, they decided to create humans. The first man, made of clay, could not survive the God of Water. The second man, made of wood, could not survive the God of Fire. So the gods decide to create an indestructible man made of gold, but he was cold and unfeeling. Finally, the Good-Hearted God made man by cutting off the fingers of his left hand and letting them fall to the earth. These people thrived and the gods were happy. Later, they learned that the finger people had found the man of gold and treated him kindly. They were rewarded for their kindness by serving the man of gold, not enslaved, but forever allowed to earn fair wages. Lopez's striking renderings of Mayan culture, art, and landscape set this picture book apart. Elaborate headdresses, masks, and jewelry punctuate the illustrations of royalty and even nature appears decked out in sparkling attire. The paintings range from simple and childlike (a butterfly, trees) to the elaborate (a god in full costume). The story is fairly simple, but the bilingual Spanish and English text cries out for more exploration and explanation of the Maya. Children may enjoy this selection based on the strength of its illustrations but will need to look elsewhere for a better understanding of the culture.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY