WHY THE SKY IS FAR AWAY

Once the sky was so close that people could reach up and break off pieces of it to eat, but they wasted so much that the sky grew angry. Finally, after a woman broke off a big piece despite the sky's warnings and then tried to hide what she couldn't finish, the sky floated up to where it is today, forcing us to work for our food ever since. First published as a picture book in 1974, this Nigerian tale is presented here with some revision (lines added, sexist language removed) and colorful new illustrations. Golembe's large monotypes combine simple patterns and stylized but recognizable objects; intensely black human figures provide focal points in most scenes. The story may be centuries old, but it teaches a timely lesson and is retold in a lively, nonpreachy way. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-8)