By
– March 14, 2012
In this version of the Noah’s Ark story, the main character is not Noah, but Aram, Noah’s grandson. Aram and Tara, the dove, play together while grandfather Noah is building the ark. Aram helps his grandfather care for the birds during the flood, and it is Aram who gets Tara ready for her important flight to find dry land. The language used to tell the story makes it accessible to elementary school children but not too difficult for preschoolers to understand. The mixed media illustrations allow the bright colors and textures to jump off the pages. Each bird on the page has been created to show its intricacy and personality. Tara’s job has always been as a messenger bird, and she knows the importance of her task. Even after the flood, Tara continues to keep Noah and his family connected, forever insuring the dove as a messenger of peace and well-being. Ages 4 – 8.
Rachel Rosner is the Director of the Jewish Book Festival in Rochester, NY. She also runs Jewish Family Programs for the JCC, and has worked there since 1994. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Syracuse University.