All of nature argues about the forms of God, so people are sent as a reminder of all that God is, although they do not seem to understand the message themselves. PreS Up-- In a mythic time when all living things could speak and understand each other, an argument begins over the nature of God. Each creature attributes its own ideal of excellence to the deity, but when the discussion grows too loud, all are silenced by Old Turtle. He says that God is all those things and more, referring to the coming of those made in His image, people. But these new creatures also argue about God, and kill and abuse each other and the Earth until the very stones cry out. At last the people hear Earth's message of beauty and love--``And Old Turtle smiled. And so did God.'' The pictures illustrating this poetic work are spectacular. Soft, liquid watercolors are used to show the beauty of the natural world; rocks and waterfalls, mountains, seas, and flowering hills form a backdrop for everyone. Environmentally conscious, gender-balanced (references to God include ``She''), and spiritual in mood, this is a New Age fable; its message of saving the Earth is told in lyrical prose and in pictures that delight the eye. - Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. In a poetic fable, all creation debates the nature of God, each thing imagining that God reflects its own image: the antelope insists that God ``is a runner, swift and free,'' while the willow murmurs that ``She is a great tree...always growing, always giving.'' The wise old turtle ends the argument: God is all these things, and more. She also makes a prediction: ``There will soon be a new family of beings'' who will be reminders of what God is. However, the people in turn begin to argue about God, and also to harm the rest of creation. Then the ocean, the breeze, and even the stars remind them of God's presence and love, and in time the people begin to listen. Wood's graceful phrasing and understated irony give his plea unusual power, especially as complemented by Chee's outstanding watercolors, joyfully celebrating the world's beauty; his portraits of Old Turtle are masterfully detailed and delightfully subtle. A handsome, thought-provoking book, especially appropriate for collections that support religious instruction. (Picture book. 4+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.