Noah's Ark (Caldecott Honor Book) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pinkney (The Ugly Duckling) unfurls some of the finest illustrations of his career in this lush, not-to-be-missed version of the perennially popular Bible story. In unfettered, graceful prose, Pinkney relates Noah's faithful work in building the ship and gathering the animals. He enhances the smoothly rendered plot with simple, evocative detail ("The strong wooden beams embraced the clouds"; "[The animals] followed him into the ark, and God closed the door behind them"). The watercolor-and-pencil animal tableaux delicately hued, vigorously executed are stunning in their artistry. Realistically drawn creatures flap, leap, lumber and slither about under the watchful, hopeful eyes of a kind-faced, gray-bearded Noah and his family. These crowded but never chaotic scenes, as well as those depicting whales in implicit comparison with the ark, will help children grasp the magnitude of the story's message of faith, stewardship and obedience. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Pinkney provides a fresh perspective on an often-interpreted story without introducing unusual characters. He employs watercolor and colored pencil to create a world so filled with life that not even a flood can erase its energy. His straightforward account of Noah's story includes only minor variations from the Genesis narratives. The illustrations tell much more. Noah and his family are sturdy farmers, but they are dwarfed by the ark they build. Gathering provisions, they endure the taunts of neighbors. Waiting to board, the animals spill across the pages, not in tidy lines but in messy abundance. Yet, during the voyage, humans and animals share space peacefully. Before Noah's story starts, Pinkney offers a seascape celebrating the goodness of creation. Many of the ocean dwellers reappear in a panorama in which they swim over drowned cities while the ark floats above. Such details add to the book's visual discoveries. The final view of Earth adorned with clouds and rainbows as it floats through space reinforces the unspoken message of the wonder and fragility of the natural world. Yes, another "Noah's Ark" book needs to be squeezed onto shelves, but this one won't sit there long.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587172011
• ISBN-13: 978-1587172014
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #214,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice way to tell the old Bible story, March 11, 2003

By	Alex Facundo (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

I thought this was really well written for kids to understand. The illustrations are also very nice and decorative. This story would let little kids know what happened with the big flood in a short, easily understandable way. This is also a new version too. There are other versions out there in children's books that tell the story about Noah's Ark. But in my opinion, this beats all the other ones by far. The text is pretty descriptive. This helps so that little children can understand and picture the story easier in their minds. The story also illustrates how strong Noah's faith had to be to go and build an ark and all. The story sets a prime example of how everyone's faith should be. Noah didn't quit building the ark, he had faith and continued his mission from God.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, January 12, 2009

By	L. McCracken "careful shopper" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Noah's Ark (Caldecott Honor Book) (Hardcover)

One of Pinckney's most beautiful books. Whether you believe Noah was a historic figure or a mythic one, everyone should own this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Noah's Ark, September 6, 2008

By	B. Gail Smith "Forever a Children's Literatur... (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

I have given this book to two new parents at a shower with a personal note written inside. The illustrations are wonderful, and there are several decorating products utilizing the Noah's ark theme for nurseries that would be great as additional gifts. I am a personal fan of Jerry Pinkney, and as a former elementary media specialist, find this a very well-done children's book with which to begin a library for a special child. B. Gail Smith