Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden (Eden Project Books) [Hardcover]

A beautiful retelling of the story of the Garden of Eden.

"At the very beginning of the world the earth was a dry and dusty place, where nothing could live and nothing could grow.

So God made a mist, which watered the ground all over.

Then, with his great hands, he formed the first man out of the clay of the newly watered earth."

Jane Ray's beautiful version of the familiar story takes into account creation myths the world over. The story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden is powerful because it is the story of all children growing up and going out into the world. The need to recreate that perfect garden and live again in harmony with the environment is more pressing today than ever before.

Jane Ray is internationally renowned for beautiful and thought-provoking artwork. Among many accolades for her work, she has won several prestigious awards, including the Nextle Smarties Prize. Jane lives in north London with her husband and their three children.

"Some time ago I was given a wonderful book by the children of Shapla Primary School in London, where I have been 'artist in residence' over the years. It was The Muslim Creation Story, beautifully written and illustrated by the children themselves. I was struck by the similarities between it and the Christian creation story.

As I began work on Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden I had this book at the back of my mind, together with the knowledge that the garden is a symbol of peace and tranquility, of growth and education, of all that is best in human endeavour, in just about every culture in the world.

When I visited the Eden Project I was bowled over by the sense of connectedness that imbues the whole scheme. It seeks to show us how what we eat, what we wear, our medicines, our religions, art, politics, mythology and history are all inextricably linked, and that above all we are linked to each other in a huge, exciting and unfolding story."

Jane Ray:
Jane Ray was born in Chingford, North East London. After a degree course at Middlesex University in Ceramics and 3-D Design she began her career by designing greeting cards. Jane's first picture book A Balloon for Grandad was shortlisted for the prestigious Mother Goose Prize for first-time book illustrators. Jane's illustration style is instantly recognisable and she is well known internationally. The rights to her books are sold throughout the world and she has gained as much success in America as she has in the UK.

Jane lives in London with her husband, a music conductor, and their three children.