Noah's Ark [Board book]

Lucy Cousins (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: February 9, 2004 | Age Range: 2 - 5 years

The simple language and vibrant colors of Lucy Cousins’s beloved NOAH'S ARK breathe fresh life into a timeless story that has never failed to fascinate children. Now, with this new board book edition, even the youngest of children can savor a visual feast of pink flamingos, green alligators, and great gray elephants in a simple, sturdy format featuring a larger trim size, an eye-catching new cover, and a rainbow on the final spread.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With childlike verve, the talented colorist Cousins adapts the Bible story into a picture book for the very young. The familiar gathering of animals two by two onto the ark before the great flood takes on a gentle and joyous tone as expressed by Cousins's brief and simple sentences and by her naive painted figures. Noah wears a kind, comforting smile and provides the benevolent leadership this story calls for. The text will naturally have added appeal for those seeking an introduction to the literature of the Bible; however, the book's airy design and playfully rendered creatures should attract a large audience. Endpapers featuring a brilliant menagerie of passengers great and small are not to be missed. Ages 2-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 1-3. Cousins uses sparse phrasing to deliver a capsulization of the biblical story of Noah and the flood. Her uncluttered, childlike paintings rendered in bold gouache colors will appeal to young children just being introduced to the tale. While libraries won't want to miss Reid's memorable interpretation, Two by Two , there is room on the shelves for Cousins' simple, direct, and colorful telling. Ellen Mandel --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
  
• Board book: 22 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; BRDBK edition (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763624462
• ISBN-13: 978-0763624460
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.4 x 6.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Noah's Ark

More About the Author

Lucy Cousins is the creator of many wonderful picture books for children, including Yummy: My Favourite Nursery Stories and Hooray for Fish! , as well as her bestselling books about Maisy the mouse. About I'm the Best, she says, "I had the idea for this book after winning a tennis competition. I loved telling all my friends and family about it, but then I realized that I was probably showing off, like Dog!" Lucy Cousins lives in Hampshire with her partner, four children and very fluffy dog.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulously vivid picture of life in nature. August 28, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Four of five years ago, I stumbled across this book in a store and was taken aback by its beauty and inspiration. I loved the book but decided not to buy it at that time. I lost track of the author information and was disappointed for I was never able to locate the book again.

Not long ago, I described the book to a friend of mine, how it is a book centered around the Biblical story of Noah's Ark and celebrating the beautiful diversity of Earth's creatures. She recently surprised me by locating a copy for my birthday. :-D

I enjoy reading the artist's thoughts of the story and what it must have been like to be there. I especially like the many colorful pages where Poortvliet concentrates one feature of the animals, so that we can see the contrasting beauty of their ears, or eyes, or skin, etc..

This is large book with hundreds of colorful pages, a nice edition to any collection. If I decide to keep this out on my coffee table, I will first have to build another table where it will fit. :-)

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best pictures portrayed by anyone October 31, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I just saw this book last night and it has some of the best art work I have ever seen. The drawings are beautiful. It is an awesome book for any art lover and anyone interested in Noah's Ark.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Visually charming retelling of Noah's story January 25, 2001

By Michael J. Mazza HALL OF FAME

Format:Board book

"Noah's Ark," retold and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, is an admirable addition to the collection of children's books that revisit stories from the Jewish Bible. Cousins retells the story in straightforward, simple language.

What really makes this book stand out is the superb artwork. Cousins' pictures have a charmingly crude feel to them; they crackle with energy and color. The story of Noah, who takes two of every species of animal onto an oceangoing vessel in order to survive a flood, has always been an illustrator's dream, and Cousins revels in the scenario. We see alligators, ladybugs, penguins, mice, elephants, puffins, snakes, ostriches, and many, many more species.

Some may argue that the story itself is not necessarily fit for the youngest children; the notion of a divine being wiping out nearly all of humanity in an intentional global holocaust is, when you think about it, pretty terrifying! But with some guidance from a caring parent or guardian, this version of "Noah's Ark" could be fun for small children. Thanks to Lucy Cousins for a great job.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Good for animals, not for theology! June 12, 2006

By Reader X

Format:Board book

While my son (2.5) loves the pictures in this book, the theology drives me crazy. I can handle the "wicked people" mentioned by others although I wonder what my little guy thinks. The thing that drives me nuts is the fact that the redemptive rainbow at the end of the story, which means God will not do this again, is missing! A good book for learning about animals, but not for learning about God.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an absolute masterpiece! June 5, 2005

By D. Timothy Meyer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The genius and breathtaking artistry of Rien Poortvliet are beautifully displayed on every page of this wonderful book. Strong faith and great love for the subject matter are apparent from start to finish. As a believer, I can only describe it as a striking affirmation of the Genesis story, and the author's obvious familiarity with animals brings the account to life in ways that never occurred to me before. What a heartfelt portrait of Noah and his family and their experiences with all those extraordinary animals as they rode out the flood together! This can really be considered as a supplement to the Bible story, because it neither takes away from the content revealed in scripture nor presumes to add any superlative events not supported or implied by the text. Delightfully, it adds a dimension of intimate realism to the whole of the flood account and a sense of reverent awe to the depth of the beauty inherent in God's creatures. It reminds us that they as well as we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hierloom quality, to be passed down through the generations. June 24, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I was introduced to this wonderful book a few years ago by our pastor. I was awestruck by the wonderful illustrations. The text is very interesting and thought provoking, leading me to an even deeper amazement of God's incredible creation. I have purchased this book for our family and will be giving it as a gift to my 2 sons when they marry and/or have children. I am an avid book reader and of all the books I have, this ranks second only to the Bible. I recommend it to everyone.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, must-have book! September 21, 2000

By Mary Jo Sminkey TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Yet another wonderful example of Rien's work. This is a large book, great for coffee table display, or just to enjoy. It is filled to the brim with Rien's wonderful artwork and writings, there is no doubt that this is a man who loves and respects all life he sees. His drawings of the ark as well are fantastic! Children and adults alike will love this book. Wonderful price on it here as well.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT book for your toddler! March 12, 2003

By Marla & Zachary Hodgson

Format:Board book

I highly recommend books by Lucy Cousins - especially this one. The illustrations are bright and vivid and catch a baby/toddler's eye. My son Zachary's room is in the Noah's Ark theme, so I collect all things Noah, but this book has always been a favorite.