In the Time of Noah

Old Stories

by N.D. Wilson

Before the Flood, there was a world dominated by giants, bloodthirsty and merciless. God was grieved. He would judge the world. But He would also save the world. This book, written by Nathan Wilson and beautifully illustrated by Peter Bentley chronicles the history of Noah's obedience, from the building of the ark and the taming of the beasts, to the grounding at Ararat and the promise of the rainbow. The Old Stories series are designed to help children (and adults) re-imagine biblical stories, seeing things they have never seen before. Ages 4 and up.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Christian, 2nd Grade, Christianity, Theology

34 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2007

Reviews

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 1 out of 5]

This title the second in a series by ND Wilson is a shade better than the first book in the series but continues to add details to the biblical narrative that are a problematic. The copyright page acknowledges that the story follows versions of the “deluge” as told by early church fathers not actual biblical text. The nephilim are described as being massive men with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. Words are also added to the promise that God makes to Noah to never flood the earth again that add moral judgement on the act of God having flooded the world. “ Then the Lord and Maker swore an oath. Though man’s heart was evil, the Lord swore that He would turn His back on the horror of such destruction, and never again would He strike the world or the living creatures because of man.” I think this is an incorrect retelling of the promise of the rainbow. The illustrations in this book still seem very unskilled but have slightly improved from the first book.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Faithful to the Biblical account.

[Debs Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t your typical preschool story of Noah, this story talks of nephilim and the fall and why God was bringing judgement. This book demonstrates that the author researched and knows the Bible well.
ie. the nephilim have 6 fingers, I looked that up and the Bible does say that about Goliath.
It talks of the phoenix and my research found a Jewish version of the book of Job mentions the phoenix. To me, this part of the story is reminding us that God is bigger than even the giants in our head.

I was in my 40s when I learned of the nephilim. I had read the Bible and no doubt skipped over them. But, I think it’s better to study the whole Bible and consider why God chose to put these more obscure truths into the Bible.

My favorite art is of Noah taming a reluctant hippo in preparation for being relocated.

[Caleb Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than its prequel, The Dragon and the Garden, mostly because it offers a less fanciful, fabricated retelling of the biblical narrative (though, to be fair, the original material is more abundant here than with the Adam and Eve narrative). I especially appreciate how Wilson depicts man's collective rebellion as something that was worthy of the punishment of the Flood--a major shortcoming of other children's renditions of the Noah narrative, as Wilson has himself pointed out. Beyond that, I'm really not fond of Peter Bentley's illustration style, and much prefer Forrest Dickison's style in the third book of the series, The Sword of Abram.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

N.D. Wilson does an amazing job of retelling bible stories in this series and in this book particularly. They read easily and read out loud well. Combined with the illustrations by Peter Bentley, the book is pleasant to the ears and the eyes. The first night I read this series to my daughter, she asked for them over and over again. My daughter loves the books and the illustrations. The water color illustrations are wonderfully done. This book is the retelling of the story of Noah's Ark by N.D. Wilson and he does it masterfully. A second book in the series The Dragon And The Garden, was released, a third called The Sword of Abram is mentioned on the back of the books but I have been unable to track it down.

[Jeremy Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I find fuzzy about this story is the procurement of the animals. Genesis says that God brought the animals to Noah but N.D. Says that Noah went out to tame them. Besides that, he does a great job re-telling the deluge narrative. I especially appreciated the inclusion of the Nephilim which are often forgotten.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on the flood. Loved the book and the artwork.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite children’s book yet! Unique and edifying to parents reading to their children.

[Alex Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good books for children. The drawings are really beautiful.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way more in depth than any Noah story I remember. That 6 fingered giants ruled the earth. Noah tamed the animals and took 7 of each unclean animal and 2 clean animals. World silent 150 days under water. Oath by God turn his back on horror of human destruction and never strike the world or living creatures because of man.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say this is the first children's book I have ever seen mention the nepthalim. =P

[Caleb Ripple · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't wait to have kids to share this with!

[Christopher Brehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

average.