Noah builds an ark

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Noah builds an ark

Title:

Noah builds an ark

Author:

Banks, Kate, 1960- author.

Rocco, John, illustrator.

Summary:

"While his family readies his townhouse for an approaching storm, boarding up windows and laying in groceries, Noah heads to the back garden, where beetles are burrowing deeper into the bark and mice are stuffing their hole with moss. Quickly and efficiently, Noah sets to work building an ark for them and other backyard creatures - salamanders and toads, snakes and spiders, even brightly colored hummingbirds. Setting out fistfuls of nuts and leaves, berries and seeds, the boy props a flashlight inside and arranges some miniature furniture for the animals to sit or sleep on. "Come," Noah whispers to his friends just as his mother calls him inside and the dark storm roars in."-- Amazon.com.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 24 x 28 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Personal Subject:

Noah (Biblical figure)-Juvenile fiction.

Subject Term:

Noah's ark -- Juvenile fiction.

Animals -- Juvenile fiction.

Rain and rainfall -- Juvenile fiction.

Helping behavior -- Juvenile fiction.

Compassion in children -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Rocco, John,

Publisher:

Candlewick Press,

Publication Date:

2019

ISBN:

9780763674847

Publication Information:

Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2019.

Call Number:

P BANKS

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003404335	Picture Books	BANKS	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A storm is coming -- a big one. How does a young urban boy prepare? A lovely allegorical story about ecology and caring inspired by the ancient tale of stewardship.

While his family readies his townhouse for an approaching storm, boarding up windows and laying in groceries, Noah heads to the back garden, where beetles are burrowing deeper into the bark and mice are stuffing their hole with moss. Quickly and efficiently, Noah sets to work building an ark for them and other backyard creatures -- salamanders and toads, snakes and spiders, even brightly colored hummingbirds. Setting out fistfuls of nuts and leaves, berries and seeds, the boy props a flashlight inside and arranges some miniature furniture for the animals to sit or sleep on. "Come," Noah whispers to his friends just as his mother calls him inside and the dark storm roars in. From an award-winning author and a Caldecott Honoree comes a quietly inspiring story about how taking action on behalf of our fellow earth travelers can help us face fearsome events.

Author Notes

Kate Banks (1960-2024) was the award-winning author of more than forty books for children and young adults, including Lion Lullaby , illustrated by Lauren Tobia, Noah Builds an Ark , illustrated by John Rocco, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner And If the Moon Could Talk , illustrated by Georg Hallensleben.

John Rocco is the coauthor of the young adult novel Swim That Rock and the illustrator of many books, including Katherine and John Paterson's award-winning The Flint Heart, of which Bookpage said, "John Rocco's digitally colored pencil drawings provide a perfect complement, glowing with fairy light." John Rocco lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-When young Noah notices a large storm heading his way, he begins to prepare an ark for the creatures of his backyard. While the storm rains down, Noah and his family stay safe inside their house, as the animals are nice and cozy in the ark. After four days, the storm passes, and the creatures come out of their shelter and bring life back into Noah's backyard. This is a refreshing new version of an old tale. Banks has created new twists and visuals in the familiar plot, making it simple to understand and intricate in previously unseen details. The pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations by Rocco assist in creating the world of Noah's backyard, bringing the importance of life to the forefront of the tale. Together, the text and images create a detailed tale of life and renewal that is fun to explore and contemplate. VERDICT A non-religious retelling of Noah's Ark that would be a lovely addition to most picture book shelves.-Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Banks (Pup and Bear) sets her retelling of the biblical story of Noah's ark in a garden behind a block of brick homes and casts a brownskinned boy in the ark builder's role. When Noah's father starts boarding up windows ahead of a powerful storm ("It's going to be a beauty," he says), Noah prepares, too, removing the wheels from his red wagon, attaching walls and a roof, and setting food inside. "Come," he whispers to the garden creatures-salamanders, spiders, toads, snakes, and more-inviting them to take shelter where it's safe. Rocco (Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton) paints Noah's family waiting out the storm on the lefthand pages, while the animals are seen in striking closeups on the right, gathered around the table in expectant silence, sharing the food Noah has left, then resting peacefully. At the storm's end, a rainbow arcs over Noah's backyard. "Hallelujah," Noah's father says. Those familiar with the original story will enjoy finding the parallels and omissions in Banks's retelling; newcomers will find a satisfying tale about noticing and caring for wildlife, enhanced by Rocco's naturalistic, detailed spreads. Ages 3-7. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.