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In the Days of Noah
A fictionalized retelling of the story of how Noah and his family followed God's commands and built an ark to protect the animals from a great flood introduces information about creation, life in Noah's times, and the evidence for the historical accuracy of the Biblical account.A fictionalized retelling of the story of Noah and the ark introduces information about creation, life in Noah's times, and the evidence for the historical accuracy of the Biblical account
80 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1996
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 26, 2017
Gloria Clanin's "In the Days of Noah" is a unique book divided into two parts. The first part is a historical fiction narrative of scenes from the lives of Noah and his children. Clanin unpacks the tangibles (money, construction knowledge, time, etc) and intangibles (friendship, wisdom, protection, etc) that Noah and his family would have needed to build the Ark as God commanded.
She also examines what it must have felt like for the descendants of Shem to experience the death of the faithful before them, the burden to preach God's redemption to a rebellious people, and the descent into wickedness which the Bible summarizes as "...the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5, ESV). In Clanin's account, the wickedness of man culminates in attempts by local people to destroy the Ark and deep sadness among the survivors at the loss of relatives and friends as the storm begins. The story continues, with a bit less detail, through the year of life on the Ark and the emergence of the small family into a transformed world with new challenges. Final scenes end on a hopeful note, with the little families multiplying, thriving and anticipating blessing and provision in the world as Noah and his family to pass faith onto the next generation.
Readers should be clear about what aspects of the story are Biblical/ non-fiction and which are imaginative/ fiction. At 55 text heavy large format pages (dimensions are roughly 9x11 inches), the story is substantial. The illustrations are disappointing in that they are neither large nor intriguing enough to break up the layout. And yet, the narrative is vivid particularly when describing the evil of the people and conflicts with Noah's family, which is helpful in educating children and illuminating adults, but may be too harsh for young, tender hearts or children touched by trauma who fear evil is all to real. Those faithful to the Biblical account will also note that the plot is simplified by skipping the account of Noah's drunkenness and the curse upon Ham/ Canaan and descendants. Additionally, in order to end a hopeful note, the story ends with Noah alive, and his family growing, and noticeably absent is any foreshadowing into the Tower of Babel at which God again intervenes to judge man's rebellion.
The second part of the book begins on page 55 and continues for 24 pages. A question and answer format features insight into the creative decisions Clanin made to structure her story (such as her chosen names for the women in the family, deciding on a reasonable shape for the Ark, envisioning what the work of God in bringing the animals to the family might have been like, and imagining their life on the Ark), as well as common inquiries into the Biblical account (Adam's family tree, documenting the number of days on the Ark, discussion of strata layers and fossilization processes, sharing some extra-Biblical ancient flood accounts, etc). This information is far from definitive and there are many resources that provide more detail and scientific expertise, but it is adequate to expose students (young and old) to interpretations of the scientific data that are informed by a Biblical Worldview.
Overall, I like this book and consider it a helpful resource when used after a familiarity and understanding of the Biblical text has been developed. I also think it pairs well with Beechick's "Adam and his Kin."
For older kids or to read another approach to the same material, see
Adam and His Kin, Beechick, 1990
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
She also examines what it must have felt like for the descendants of Shem to experience the death of the faithful before them, the burden to preach God's redemption to a rebellious people, and the descent into wickedness which the Bible summarizes as "...the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5, ESV). In Clanin's account, the wickedness of man culminates in attempts by local people to destroy the Ark and deep sadness among the survivors at the loss of relatives and friends as the storm begins. The story continues, with a bit less detail, through the year of life on the Ark and the emergence of the small family into a transformed world with new challenges. Final scenes end on a hopeful note, with the little families multiplying, thriving and anticipating blessing and provision in the world as Noah and his family to pass faith onto the next generation.
Readers should be clear about what aspects of the story are Biblical/ non-fiction and which are imaginative/ fiction. At 55 text heavy large format pages (dimensions are roughly 9x11 inches), the story is substantial. The illustrations are disappointing in that they are neither large nor intriguing enough to break up the layout. And yet, the narrative is vivid particularly when describing the evil of the people and conflicts with Noah's family, which is helpful in educating children and illuminating adults, but may be too harsh for young, tender hearts or children touched by trauma who fear evil is all to real. Those faithful to the Biblical account will also note that the plot is simplified by skipping the account of Noah's drunkenness and the curse upon Ham/ Canaan and descendants. Additionally, in order to end a hopeful note, the story ends with Noah alive, and his family growing, and noticeably absent is any foreshadowing into the Tower of Babel at which God again intervenes to judge man's rebellion.
The second part of the book begins on page 55 and continues for 24 pages. A question and answer format features insight into the creative decisions Clanin made to structure her story (such as her chosen names for the women in the family, deciding on a reasonable shape for the Ark, envisioning what the work of God in bringing the animals to the family might have been like, and imagining their life on the Ark), as well as common inquiries into the Biblical account (Adam's family tree, documenting the number of days on the Ark, discussion of strata layers and fossilization processes, sharing some extra-Biblical ancient flood accounts, etc). This information is far from definitive and there are many resources that provide more detail and scientific expertise, but it is adequate to expose students (young and old) to interpretations of the scientific data that are informed by a Biblical Worldview.
Overall, I like this book and consider it a helpful resource when used after a familiarity and understanding of the Biblical text has been developed. I also think it pairs well with Beechick's "Adam and his Kin."
For older kids or to read another approach to the same material, see
Adam and His Kin, Beechick, 1990
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 5, 2022
Account of the world- wide flood and the 8 people left on the planet who knew God and were saved by Him.
August 18, 2010
---Book Description---
Noah and his sons faithfully build the Ark in a society that is filled with violence and corruption and that has many similarities with our own. The story follows Noah's family as they build the Ark, his sons find wives, Noah tells the people about the coming judgment, and they all face danger and scorn from those around them. By the time the animals come, Noah's family has angered many people and a mob heads out to burn the Ark with Noah's family in it!
The story portrays what life might have been like before the Flood, what the Ark might have been like (including how the animals would have been feed and cared for), and shows what life might have been like right after the Flood.
At the back of the book, the author answers 47 questions about the Flood and the Ark, ranging from questions about the geologic column and fossils to how the animals all fit on the Ark.
---My Review---
"In The Days of Noah" is an exciting tale for ages 8-12 based on the Bible's account of Noah and the Flood. The story stayed true to what is given in the Bible, but the author also filled out the story with details. Each page had a realistic-style, full-color illustration of the events happening in the text. However, it's not a picture book--there's a lot of text on each page.
The story flowed smoothly. The author wove in the details about what life might have been like before the Flood, how the sons found their wives, how Noah's family was able to care for the animals on the Ark, and such, without slowing the pacing or forcing the action to illustrate some point.
I gave this book to my teen reviewer when she was 10 years old. Several months ago (when she was still 12 years old), we pulled it out to read and she lit up with excitement. She kept telling us what was going to happen next as we read it (including remembering all of the character's names) and was practically bouncing on the couch. So kids will enjoy the story, want to read it again and again, and remember it fondly.
After the story, there was a nonfiction part that answered a number of questions the reader might have about the Flood and the Ark. It's written at a level that kids can understand and used questions they're likely to ask. Adults might want to read this section or refer their children to it when their kids start asking questions inspired by the story.
Overall, I'd highly recommend this book as well-written, exciting reading.
Noah and his sons faithfully build the Ark in a society that is filled with violence and corruption and that has many similarities with our own. The story follows Noah's family as they build the Ark, his sons find wives, Noah tells the people about the coming judgment, and they all face danger and scorn from those around them. By the time the animals come, Noah's family has angered many people and a mob heads out to burn the Ark with Noah's family in it!
The story portrays what life might have been like before the Flood, what the Ark might have been like (including how the animals would have been feed and cared for), and shows what life might have been like right after the Flood.
At the back of the book, the author answers 47 questions about the Flood and the Ark, ranging from questions about the geologic column and fossils to how the animals all fit on the Ark.
---My Review---
"In The Days of Noah" is an exciting tale for ages 8-12 based on the Bible's account of Noah and the Flood. The story stayed true to what is given in the Bible, but the author also filled out the story with details. Each page had a realistic-style, full-color illustration of the events happening in the text. However, it's not a picture book--there's a lot of text on each page.
The story flowed smoothly. The author wove in the details about what life might have been like before the Flood, how the sons found their wives, how Noah's family was able to care for the animals on the Ark, and such, without slowing the pacing or forcing the action to illustrate some point.
I gave this book to my teen reviewer when she was 10 years old. Several months ago (when she was still 12 years old), we pulled it out to read and she lit up with excitement. She kept telling us what was going to happen next as we read it (including remembering all of the character's names) and was practically bouncing on the couch. So kids will enjoy the story, want to read it again and again, and remember it fondly.
After the story, there was a nonfiction part that answered a number of questions the reader might have about the Flood and the Ark. It's written at a level that kids can understand and used questions they're likely to ask. Adults might want to read this section or refer their children to it when their kids start asking questions inspired by the story.
Overall, I'd highly recommend this book as well-written, exciting reading.
August 24, 2008
Very cute written children's book. My boys loved it and the book explains all about the flood, dinosaurs on the ark and fossils. A great addition for all Christian families.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews