Why Noah Chose the Dove

by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Eric Carle (Illustrator), Elizabeth Shub (Translator)

"Singer's retelling from the Old Testament gives a new dimension to the story of the Flood.
Children will enjoy hearing the different animals praise their own special qualities so that each
will be assured a place on Noah's Ark. Of course, all are taken on board, but because the dove
is the only one that did not boast, Noah makes the bird his messenger. Commenting that there
are more doves in the world today than there are ferocious beasts, Singers says, "The dove
lives happily without fighting. It is the bird of peace." Eric Carle's brightly colored collages
make this an inviting addition to collections." -School Libaray Journal

"Eric Carle, who has a special way with animals, contributes sumptuous pictures to a book which
is not to be missed." -Publishers Weekly

"This great storyteller has put a new and mildly moral twist on the story of Noah's Ark...and Eric
Carle does not disappoint. His cut-out portraits of the animals are colorful and vigorous, and,
combined with his paintings, varied and provocative. This is good stuff for hungry little eyes."
-The Boston Globe

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Religion, Christian, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Isaac Bashevis Singer was a Polish American author of Jewish descent, noted for his short stories. He was one of the leading figures in the Yiddish literary movement, and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978.
His memoir, "A Day Of Pleasure: Stories of a Boy Growing Up in Warsaw", won the U.S. National Book Award in Children's Literature in 1970, while his collection "A Crown of Feathers and Other Stories" won the U.S. National Book Award in Fiction in 1974.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story about why the dove was chosen to search for land in the story of Noah's ark. The story starts by saying that everyone was killed by God because they had sinned and Noah was the only righteous person so he was saved. Obviously any child who can think for themselves will wonder about all the innocent babies being drowned, the animals that didn't make it on to the ark, was everyone in the world bad? surely not and even if they were should they have been drowned....?

Read on open library.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humbleness is in short supply as the animals argue over who will be allowed on the ark. Each one has a more prideful boast than the next. Only the dove exercises humility, which is why Noah chooses him for a special task.

Vegan families note: Perhaps not surprisingly, the story has several farm animals bragging about their "usefulness" to humanity...with the sheep boasting that he "gives" man wool, the cow "gives" milk, etc.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I could, I'd give this book 2.5 stars. What is great about it is Eric Carle's characteristic artwork, with its bright colors and its collage-like designs. Young children will also enjoy the variety of animals introduced. On the other hand, Singer's story, with its lesson about pride and humility, feels a bit heavy-handed.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story by master story teller Isaac Bashevis Singer is a modern midrash first published in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. 50 years later in the middle of another war on another Shabbat Noach, the question of why a dove surfaced again. This charming illustrated version by Eric Carle of the Very Hungry Caterpillar fame, helps answer the question about the dove and the olive leaf. While it may seem like a children's book, it is quite profound. If using it with kids, it can be fun to have the kids act our some of the animals. If using it with adults, it is possible to start with some of the animals and then skip to the conclusion. Why did Noah choose the dove? Worth thinking about and reading.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carle's pictures are amazing complements to Isaac Bashevis Singer's wonderful, moving story. Must read.

[Telps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of being quiet and being humble about your gifts.

[Karin Fisher-Golton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Carle's illustrations are stunning.

[Critley King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both myself and my daughter loved this spin on the classic Noah’s Ark story. There is a good message in this one and will be a nice addition to any child’s home library.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Noah begins to collect the animals they begin to argue among themselves about who is the best among them. the dove sits in a tree and says nothing at first. He finally tells them that no animal is better than another because they are each different and have different gifts. Because of this Noah chooses him to the be messenger.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old testament story retold by a great story teller and illustrated by a children's favourite illustrator. Each animal boasts their qualities but the Dove says nothing as "Each one of us has something the other doesn't have, given by God who created us all".

A message of God given gifts and peace.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am learning Spanish and one of the ways I am doing this is to read children's books in Spanish to increase my vocabulary and became familiar with simple sentence structure. Eric Carle's beautiful illustrations made it easy to follow and I have picked up a whole new vocabulary of animal sounds I hadn't previously learnt in Spanish.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated, beautifully told tale. Some of the vocabulary is a bit advanced for a preschooler.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Carle's illustrations add to this story. July 18, 2012

[Ryota · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short fairy tale about animals and pacifism, by a Nobel Prize winner, beautifully illustrated by one of the most noted picture book artists. Still unavailable in Japanese.

[Karen Dransfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting tale about the animals being collected for Noah's boat. Beautiful artwork by Eric Carle.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virtue: humility

[Debra Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

love all the voices and variety of animals and their 'strengths contrasted with modesty of the dove.