Noah and the Space Ark (Picture Books)

PreSchool-Grade 3AIn this futuristic version of the Bible story, pollution threatens life on Earth. Only in a park tended by Noah, Mrs. Noah, their children, and grandchildren do animals and plants manage to survive. Desperate to escape, the humans build a spaceship large enough to accommodate plants and animals and then blast off in search of a hospitable planet. Instead of a dove to scout for land, Mrs. Noah and Ham venture forth to test the air of a likely venue. The unspoiled planet welcomes the voyagers with a huge rainbow. Clark's illustrations convey the urgency of the situation. The animals wend their way toward the ark against a brooding, desolate background. The family's outfits are a blend of contemporary fashion and futuristic conjecture. Noah and the Space Ark might amuse those familiar with variants of the story and interest adults intent on conveying ecological messages. The text and pictures work together competently and clearly, but the book is an additional rather than essential purchase.AKathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5^-8. The earth has become too crowded and polluted to sustain life. Large animals no longer exist. The small ones that have survived live in a park under the tender care of Noah and his family. When a drought strikes and the animals become sick, Noah heads to the "Build-It-Yourself superstore" to buy a rocket and a spaceship kit. After loading the animals and some plants aboard his Space Ark, he and his family blast into space. Traveling 40 days and 40 nights, they finally find a new home--which resembles Earth before the planet was polluted. "This time," Noah proclaims, "we'll take care of it." Cecil's dire vision of a future earth is somewhat disturbing, but the story is nicely lightened by Clark's illustrations. The bright, friendly watercolors feature several humorous scenes, including one showing everybody's hair standing on end as the Space Ark lands. The story incorporates many themes that will prompt class discussion; at the same time, it stands as an adventure even small children can appreciate. Helen Rosenberg