Customer Reviews

Prayers from the Ark (Picture Puffins)

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This is a wonderful collection of small poems. The various travelers on Noah's Ark each have a distinct prayer to God. The simplicity of these prayers ring with truth as they tell of the work and difficulties that the animals endure. The author must have had great insight to write such simple, but beautiful verse.

This book consists of a selection of poems, translated from the French by Rumer Godden, from "Le Mieux Aime" (1947) and "Prieres dans l'Arche" (1955) by the Benedictine nun Carmen Bernos de Gasztold. It is an illustrated collection of poems, each a prayer by an animal in Noah's Ark. The poems are accompanied by beautiful illustrations.

These are some of the most imaginative and delightful books ever. Not just for children-but for most adults, if they look closely, can find themselves in these wonderful creatures.

The thoughtful depth and reflective simplicity of the personification of animals in "Prayers from the Ark" will either bring tears to your eyes or curve your lips into a gentle smile at the truth spoken by God's creatures.

Created by Carmen Bernos De Gasztold, in France during World War II, these poems state the condition of animals as she saw them, although Noah is honored for his obedience and endurance. The illustrations, drawn by Barry Moser for this 1995 publication, brilliantly reflect both the mood and words of the poems. Later Sister Carmen joined a Benedictine abbey, whose press first published this book of poems in 1947.

Oddly, Amazon's product page lists the audience as 4-8 year olds. Let's see if you agree:

from "Noah's Prayer"
Guide Your Ark to safety,
some zenith of rest,
where we can escape at last
from this brute slavery.
The days are long,
Lord.
Lead me until I reach the shore of your covenant.
Amen.

from "Prayers of the Dog"
Be faithful?
No one but You and I
understand
what faithfulness is.

And the most distressing comes from the Elephant: "I am so embarrassed by my great self," yet expresses this depth:
"Give me such philosophic thoughts
that I can rejoice everywhere I go
in the lovable oddity of things."

Today the four-year-olds come to the library for Story Time. Think I should read "Prayers from the Ark"? There is one brilliant girl who could probably comprehend the nuances of these heart-felt prayers, but the others.... What do you think?

Rumer Godden translated the prayers from French into this version of English. I'm thinking this is one of those translations with as much power as the original, like Fitzgerald and "The Rubyiat."
Some of Rumer's own works include: In This House of Brede, An Episode of Sparrows (New York Review Children's Collection), and Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy (Loyola Classics Series).