This is a thoroughly enjoyable new view of how all those animals and Mr. and Mrs. Noah, too, thrived on the ark. Mrs. Noah is an avid gardener and, although her garden could use a bit more water, she realizes that if Mr. Noah is correct, her vegetable garden will be ruined. Combining Noah’s determination to carry on with his plans for the upcoming flood and Mrs. Noah’s insightfulness and her efforts to save the plants, Noah’s family and the animals are well fed during the deluge and the world’s future gardens are saved.
The active participation of Mrs. Noah will serve educators and parents in answering a young child’s questions: what did the animals eat, where did their food come from? Mrs. Noah’s actions address the larger environmental landscape and provide material for developing discussions on the care of plants and our food sources that can also be expanded into the concepts of Tikkun Olam. The author does not directly use the name of God, yet the support that Mrs. Noah gives to Mr. Noah and his determined faith can be easily woven into the text, reinforcing Judaic thought. At the end, it is one of Mrs. Noah’s misplaced olive trees that announces the sighting of land to the grounded ark, joining the overarching theme of people and nature working together.
The artwork of Steve Lavis is a joyful adventure. His use of color, pattern, and realism, along with a touch of humor, brings the text to life, making it fun and interactive. Children will be involved in the discovery of the plants and animals. Recommended for ages 2 – 7.