The Littlest Pair (Littlest Series) [Paperback]

Sylvia A. Rouss (Author), Holly Hannon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Littlest Series

None of the animals want the termites to come aboard NoahÂ’s Ark. After all, termites eat arks. But when the rain starts pouring and the animals start slipping helter skelter across the Ark, the termites use their wood munching abilities to save the day. The entire book is done in rhyme.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 1-Rouss and Hannon offer a new take on the story of Noah's Ark, telling it from the point of view of a pair of termites. Because none of the other animals wants them aboard, the inclusion of the insects teaches a lesson about respecting differences. However, even when they are roaring, mooing, squawking, howling, and screeching to the tune of "Whooo invited you two?," the animals look amiable. And they prove to be so when the termites use their special skills to produce enough sawdust to keep them from sliding about on the ark's slippery decks. Wise Noah sums it all up when he admonishes, "So let's put an end to any more hurtful chatter,/We're all God's creatures and to God, we all matter." Rouss's storytelling talents are insufficient to overcome a flagrantly didactic message that distorts the meaning of the biblical account of Noah and a premise that assumes that preschoolers will know why termites would be unwelcome on a wooden vessel. The boldly colored, full-spread illustrations are humorous, and the rhyme bounces right along, but neither can redeem the heavy-handed story. Many better picture-book versions of the Noah story are available. This one misses the boat.

Linda R. Silver, Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, OH

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Recipient of the 2001-2002 National Jewish Book Award in the Category of Children's Picture Book after receiving the prestigious 2002 Storytelling World Award Honor Title in the Stories for Young Listeners Category. Children will have a wonderful time listening to the easy-to-remember rhymes that comprise this story. This is a Noah’s Ark story with a twist that has wide appeal. Children learn basic moral qualities such as: not to be judgmental, the importance of working to help others, and how to say "I’m sorry". This is the second in the Littlest series.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simcha Media Group (NJ) (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930143176
• ISBN-13: 978-1930143173
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,046,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sylvia Rouss is the award-winning author and early childhood educator who created the popular Sammy Spider and The Littlest books.


Even with her success as an author, Sylvia has not given up what she loves most, teaching. She is currently a preschool teacher in Los Angeles, and says that she "is inspired by the children in my classroom".


Sylvia also received awards as an educator and she conducts seminars for parents and teachers.


Sylvia is a featured author and lecturer at book fairs throughout the United States and Israel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I go to Kindergarden & my favorite book is The Littlest Pair, December 11, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Littlest Pair (Littlest Series) (Paperback)

My name is Elizabeth, and I go to Kindergarden. I wrote this book report for school. My favorite author is Sylvia Rouss because she is a teacher, & she wrote The Littlest Pair. The setting is on Noah's Ark, and the characters are Noah, two termites, and the other animals. There was a flood in the world, and all the animals hated the termites until the termites helped them. The book makes you realize that everybody is important, and my favorite part is when Noah said, 'To God, we all matter!"

Also recommended: I also liked Charlotte's Web, Love, and Help Me Be Good.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and Full of Meaning, January 25, 2002

By 

anonymous (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Littlest Pair (Littlest Series) (Paperback)

"The Littlest Pair" - from the Jerusalem Post by Leslie Cohen
Written in rhymed couplets, The Littlest Pair will delight the ears of young children, while its friendly-looking animal characters will appeal to their eyes. Although meant for pre-school children, it delivers a sophisticated message...against stereotyping, and acting with prejudice towards "the other." Rouss creates an all-too-human situation in which the animals refuse to accept a pair of termites as passengers on Noah's ark. Their fear turns them into an angry mob. But, much to their surprise, the termites devise a scheme to save them when the storm makes the ark lunge perilously from side to side. The apologies at the end conclude with the significant admonition by Noah: "It's important to accept each other's ways. We're all God's creatures and to God, we all matter." Its universal moral makes this book suitable for children of all ages and faiths.