Noah's Bark

by Stephen Krensky (Illustrations)

Noah's trying to build an ark, but with the snakes quacking, the beavers crowing, and the pigs howling, he can't even hear himself think, much less make a giant boat. Pretty soon Noah's barking in annoyance--and then it starts to rain! Discover how each animal came to make the noise it does today in this whimsical retelling of the beloved Noah's ark story.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Religion, Childrens

32 pages, ebook

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story with good illustrations. My son really enjoyed all of the mixed-up animal sounds, and it was fun to discuss that they were wrong and see how Noah sorted them out. I wanted to rate it 4 stars but there was just something about it that made it good but not great. We'd read it again, but I'm not sure we need to own it.

Updated: So my son has asked to read this book four nights in a row, over his dinosaur books which says a lot. Even though I still think this is only a three-star, I changed my rating to four-star because the little guy likes it so much!

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This looked like it was going to be a fun book. It ended up being just OK. I liked the illustration best. And the idea can be fun or funny. But it just didn't come off quite right to me. Some good storytelling could come from this, though.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah’s Bark by Stephen Krensky is a silly tale of how the animals each found their own unique sound. Filled with absurd animal antics, this a rousing tale that begs to be read at a storytime!

Long ago, years ago, all animals had more than one sound. Cows meowed. Giraffes went bah. Sheep barked. And it made for one very noisy time for Noah as he builds the ark. As he tries to complete his boat, Noah orders the animals to be quiet.

To which they reply with a parade of sounds. Then the rain comes. The animals climb on board the ark. And still it’s noisy! Noah worries about the sturdiness the ark. The animals’ replies aren’t too helpful, only a jumble of sounds. But Noah has a solution!

I appreciated that despite the titular character being Noah, this is not a religious title. Even children who are not raised in a religious household have some inkling of the tale of Noah’s Ark, so this is a good book for classrooms for its non faith-based approach. Children will especially appreciate the incongruity of the mixed up animal sounds – sheeps tweeting like birds, barking like dogs, etc. Bold and colorful illustrations mixed with colorful type along with a menagerie of animals will make this a surefire storytime pleaser.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know kids will love all the animals in the whimsical illustrations and they will find it hilarious that the animals are making so many unusual sounds, because they know better (and what is more fun than being wise?). They will want to read this story again and again, enjoying the explanation of how each animal came to make one sound because Noah gave it to them in a blind draw.

Unless pointed out to them, I think most children won't catch the pun in the title. Their language is not sophisticated enough to know multiple meaning for the word bark, but caregivers will enjoy this play on words.

Though some may be drawn to or repulsed because they think this is a book with Christian principles, neither group would be correct. it is merely a story, with no mention of God or the Bible.

Some children might object because the illustrations do not completely match the text. What is depicted is a match, but sometimes, the text would say the elephants hissed and no elephants were shown. Young children rely heavily on the pictures and they will no doubt ask questions like, "Where are the elephants?'

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of kid appeal in this picture book. At least, my kiddo thought that all the animals making the wrong sounds was pretty hilarious. I like that it makes this familiar story into a porquoi tale of how the animals got their sounds. I also used it as an opportunity to talk to my kiddo about working together/cooperation.

I should note that we are not a religious family, and we still enjoyed this picture book Bible story. It does not mention anything supernatural or why the flood was happening, so it is kid-friendly.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very refreshing and comical twist on Noah's Ark. In this case, the animals do not have their own voice, sound like one another and all speak at once most of the time. Noah, very frustrated with the situation takes the time to assign a single voice to each animal and has them use their voice in turn creating order and harmony. A story about how working together is possible once order and harmony is created.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah's Bark is great fun for an outloud reader who loves to do voices. Where else can you find giraffes baahing and foxes neighing except for the chaos that is Noah's ark. While this book does feature a well loved bible story, non religious folk need not steer away. There are no specific biblical references so the reader can delve into Noah as much as they want, or not at all. The illustrations are great and add to the fun.

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from the new books shelf because I love the pun of a title. It's a short, slightly cute story of how distracting it is to Noah to build the ark with animals making a strange variety of noises. The problem is solved when Noah has each animal choose only the one sound we say they make today.

[Shannon Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book about how all of the animals got their sounds. Would be great for a Christian storytime.

[Candida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations.

[Debbie Steinberg]

3.5 younger

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun one but I can't help but feel a little blah about it. Maybe I'm just in a foul mood tonight. Julia liked it well enough but it's not one she'll ask for again.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly tale of how all the animals ended up making the noises they make. The famous Noah has to help them or he may loose his mind and possibly the ark.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally cute book!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

no reference to God in this book, so it could still be fun for non-Christian families. All the animals' sounds are mixed up and Noah helps them. Cute. There could be participation.

[Nativida · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story behind the sounds different animals make.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[RWaggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, imaginative fable about being in Noah’s art. From a folklore perspective- not religious.