Noah's Ark by: Jerry Pinkney

1. Bibliographic Data
Pinkney, Jerry. Noah's Ark (Caldecott Honor Book). San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002.

2. Plot Summary
Noah's Ark tells the story of God's displeasure with the earth, and how he instructed Noah to build an ark for his family and two of every animal. Noah trusts in the Lord, builds the ark, and then the animals come two by two. People mock and question Noah, but Noah takes him family on the ark. God then sends rain to flood the earth for forty day and forty nights. Noah, his family, and all the animals are kept safe so that they can walk on the earth again. God rids all the water, and promises to Noah "never again will I send a flood upon the earth to destroy it. From this day forward, life on earth will grow and prosper."

3. Critical Analysis
Jerry Pinkney's beautiful illustrations compliment the wondrous words God spoke to Noah. His use of soft colors with bits of bright color tell the story of Noah and the Ark. Pinkney describes the great flood in a simple manner for young children, but still includes all the important details of the story. Each page could tell the story itself as Noah listens to God, builds the ark, brings his family aboard, and welcomes all the pairs of animals. A great read for any family or Sunday school class.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)
*Randolph Caldecott Award 2003
*Sydney Taylor Book Awards 2002
*Childrens Literature..."The illustrations are detailed tapestries of pencil and watercolor, faultless and immensely lovely."

5. Connection
*Read other popular Bible stories like David and Goliath.
*Ask the children to help you name some of the animals that all boarded the ark and are here today.
*Discuss why God flooded the earth, and chose Noah to build and live on the ark with his family.

"Noah's Ark." Childrens Literature Reviews. ezproxy.twu.edu:2291/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~sXnOhO:1 (accessed September 30, 2010).