Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark [Hardcover]

Sting (Author), Hugh Whyte (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Throughout his musical career with the Police and as a phenomenal solo artist, Sting has commanded the world's attention as an innovator with enormous appeal.

Now this multiple-Grammy-winning icon channels his considerable talents in a fresh, new direction with this sharp re-telling of one of the most beloved stories in history.

Rock Steady is a modern spin on the tale of Noah's Ark. Sting has adapted the lyrics of his own song, and his unique poetry colors this classic story with the concerns of the new millennium. A timeless legend, the parable of Noah's Ark takes on a new significance in the light of Sting's creative genius. Rock Steady reminds us that human beings are blessed, and that we must protect the earth that has given us life.

Proceeds from Rock Steady will be donated to the Rainforest Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Brazilian rainforests and the cultures that thrive there.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While not exactly revolutionary, Grammy-winning musician Sting's retelling of the biblical story of Noah's ark is peppy and upbeat. A hip young couple read about an intriguing opportunity:

Volunteers wanted for
A very special trip,
To commune with Mother Nature
On a big wooden ship.

They take a taxi (actually, two camels) to the river and sign up with the "old guy with a beard," who "heard God's message on the radio." The rest, as they say, is history, albeit with a contemporary tempo.

Adapting the lyrics of his song and adding geometric and bright-toned illustrations by illustrator Hugh Whyte, Sting has revamped an old, old favorite for a new generation, reminding readers that the planet's well-being is still in our hands. Proceeds from the sale of Rock Steady will be donated to the Rainforest Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Brazilian rainforests and the cultures that live there. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Pop music superstar Sting gives a classic Bible story a brand new beat in this abbreviated version of "Rock Steady," Sting's funky, modern-day musical take on Noah's Ark (the song appears on his 1987 recording Nothing Like the Sun). A couple quickly signs on for duty after they see an ad in the newspaper: "Volunteers wanted/ For/ a very special trip,/ To commune with Mother Nature/ On a big wooden ship." They set sail under the leadership of "an old guy with a beard" who "heard God's message on the radio." During the 40 days of continuous rainfall, the crew members take some solace in the knowledge that their vessel is "Rock steady" and that they are "sailing with the Lord." Whyte's joyful accompaniment layers Crayola-bright geometric shapes in inviting scenes with varied perspectives. He riffs on an Old Testament-era setting, which immediately puts the story in a familiar context for kids even though it distances them from the impact of Sting's contemporary twist. Young readers will find much to like a rendering of a dove, resplendent in sunlight, is a stunner. Ages 5-8. (May) Foundation.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060292318
• ISBN-13: 978-0060292317
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,770,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manna From Heaven - For Your Inner Child, July 24, 2002

By 

Daniel R. Martin (Grand Haven, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark (Hardcover)

Sting's contemporary retelling of the biblical story of Noah's Ark is fantastic fun to read (or sing) to your children (or to your inner child).

The text is adapted from the lyrics of his song, Rock Steady, which is available on his ... Nothing Like the Sun CD. The artwork (by Hugh Whyte) is colorful and captivating. (Sting fans will especially enjoy the image of the young man wearing the black and yellow striped sweater - a treat for "Sting" fans who know how he got his nickname.)

Bible purists beware, however, as Sting has taken some poetic license with the biblical story. The plot follows a couple who respond to an add in the newspaper and join Noah to "commune with Mother Nature on a big wooden ship." While Noah informs that couple that he "heard God's message on the radio" and that there is more to the journey than is apparent to the eye, the story does not explain or allude to God's motivation or the biblical reason for the flood. (On the bright side, as your children get older, you can use this book as an example of Christianity's impact on contemporary culture.)

So buy the book - the proceeds go to a great cause - the Rainforest Foundation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sting's music put to the page, January 31, 2005

By 

Katie Nelson (Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark (Hardcover)

Using the text from Sting's "Rock Steady," this book combines delightful images with Sting's rhythmical lyrics. Not for religious zealots (the text does not stick to that of the King James Bible)

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How could it be anything short of great?, April 29, 2001

By 

rbngld (FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark (Hardcover)

Sting's lyric in this title is superb. I find many of his lyrics beyond Good/Average and believe he ought to be published in a literary sense. I am a poet/writer, but was first a musician as well. Cross venues are common with creative minds, but someone, please publish more of Sting! Lots of children's stories to be told, and much more adult imagery to express...