Noah

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

"Joyful in both word and palette," said PW, "this African story tells why lightning and thunder reside in the sky and not on earth, as they once did." Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gauch's lilting prose-poem provides a graceful, animated underpinning for forceful, elegant oil paintings that locate the story of the Flood in an African setting. Green ( Father and Son ) deploys a palette of sparkling, jewel-like colors: ruby accents set off the plumage and skins of the birds and reptiles who gather at the ark; the brilliant emerald of the savannah plays up the hides of elephants, zebras, and other beasts. Noah is stately and regal in bearing though humbly dressed; ebony-black, he is patriarch of a clan of many hues. Green's use of sunlight and shadow adds richness and texture to his scenes, and he takes full advantage of the story's inherent symmetry (the animals, of course, come two-by-two), creating immensely pleasing visual echoes. A fresh, provocative interpretation, in which the spirited, rhythmic telling (it rains for ``one day, two days, three days, four, five days, six days and seven days more'') and vibrant visuals seem, like the ark's inhabitants, perfectly paired. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)

Children's Literature - Jeanne K. Pettenati

The beautiful, vibrant illustrations show a lush world of flora and fauna in this interpretation of the Noah's Ark Bible story. The poetic text resonates with beauty and meaning. This retelling is unique because it is placed in an African setting. The world God created shines on these pages and the deft illustrations propel the reader from calm to flood to serenity once again. Of the many, many Noah based stories sold in children's bookstores, this one stands out. 1999 (orig.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-Gauch retells the familiar narrative simply and directly. The cadence is good and the vocabulary is simple, for the most part; yet there are satisfying lists of animal names to roll off the tongue. What sets this version apart from others, however, are the marvelous illustrations. Green gives his paintings an African ambiance. Noah is black, and members of his family range in hue from ebony to various shades of brown to yellow. The rich colors of the animals vibrate on the pages. Striped snakes slither over red ground. The massive ark glides on a dappled ocean while great sea creatures rise from the waves. This impressive interpretation of the familiar story helps readers consider the tale anew.-Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN