FATHER SKY 

Matthew Fox (2024). The Return of Father Sky.

Fox is a theologian, former Catholic priest, now Episcopal priest, prolific writer, especially  in new creation spirituality. This book is a departure from his scholarly writing to a children's book about creation spirituality, emphasizing the departure and return of "Father Sky." The book begins with losing the connection to the Father Sky through machines and war; next, the cosmogenesis is introduced, beginning with the big Bang, where the Father Sky unites with Mother Earth, producing all of creation, a cause for great joy and gratitude.

While i appreciate the trajectory of the story, and the perspective of unifying father sky and mother earth in the creation story, the words of the story itself don't flow for me, they seem disjointed, they don't rhyme, and the images of the artwork aren't consistent but seem disjointed as well...further, in the attempts in include all races, sexes, religions...a clear hero/heroine to identify with is strikingly absent...i feel disappointed with this attempt to reach children...i don't think it "works"--although i could be wrong, the best judge would be the children that read or have the story read to them...finally, some story is better than no story...i appreciate the effort to reach the next generation with a positive outlook on Father Sky.

The pragmatic takeaway is HOW do you pass on your values and rituals to young children in story form that will be both delightful and memorable...with what art forms could you tell the story...drawings, paintings, dance, song, music, theatre, plays...WHAT is the most important message you want to pass on to the next generation, and HOW concretely can you do something small today to move in that direction?