Rylant, Cynthia. God went to beauty school.

RYLANT, Cynthia. God went to beauty school. HarperCollins. 56p. c2003. 0-06-0094354. $4.99. J

The genius of God Went To Beauty School is transparent in the title. It lies in a concept that is at once innocently innovative and obviously classic, the presentation of a very human God, relevant and accessible, One immediately involved in the world He has created. That participation is here presented in a lighthearted and enjoyably familiar manner.

This short collection is more clever than deep and is intended as neither a theological primer nor an apology. In fact, fundamentalists might well object to the limitations naturally imposed on a God reflected in contemporary America, One who goes rollerblading, signs up for cable and buys a couch "... from Pottery Barn / and ... had a little trouble / because His credit card / billing address didn't match / the delivery address."

Yet Rylant's God offers more than an ethical and social commentary on our culture, presenting a Supreme Being Who is empathetic and identifiable to young people. What's more, sophisticated readers will find obvious implications and references to more traditional Christian imagery. "He got into nails, of course, / because He'd always loved / hands J/hands were some of the best things / He'd ever done."

In the situations presented here, somewhat fantastic, God is somehow reminiscent of those Greek and Roman deities whose successes and failures came about through their obvious love of their creation and their consistent attempts to reflect man in their own image, a fundamental Western theological concept. Though not a cornerstone of either a religious or poetic collection, there is a place for this volume on any eclectic and discerning bookshelf. James Beschta, English Teacher, Barre, MA

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.