Two by Two

by Barbara Reid

A version of the familiar biblical tale of Noah and the ark is set to the words of the song, "The Animals Went in Two by Two" and features colorful plasticine art and a musical score.

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

29 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

As a child, Barbara Reid loved reading, drawing, writing and fooling around with plasticine. She kept at it, and has written and illustrated 19 picture books, illustrating more than 25. Her books have been published in over a dozen countries, and her signature plasticine relief illustrations have won many awards including a Governor General’s Award for Illustration and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Her work has been selected for the IBBY International Honour List, Sydney Taylor Notable Books, the Toronto Public Library’s First and Best List and the Ontario Library Association Best Bets. Recently, Picture a Tree received starred reviews in Quill and Quire, the Horn Book, Kirkus and Booklist.

Through workshops and presentations across Canada, Barbara has enjoyed meeting thousands of young readers, writers and fellow plasticine artists. In July 2013 Barbara was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Barbara’s dimensional artwork is photographed for reproduction by photographer, and husband, Ian Crysler. Barbara lives in Toronto, but is at home in libraries and classrooms everywhere.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have not seen this book in a very long time, (since 1993 and it is now 2025), it looks like from the front cover that Noah is in an ark, that Ken Ham (of Answers in Genesis) likes to call a "bathtub ark," because it is not the enormous ark that was actually built, with all the animals inside, not outside on a deck.
Check out the Ark Encounter in Kentucky for a better idea of how enormous the ark was that Noah built.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend. I enjoy the art and this version of Noah's ark. It is fun to look at and fun for a read-aloud.

[Ume Hermanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible plasticine artwork! I love the story and the pairs of creatures, this is worth reading for the art itself!

[Sami Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that can enhance a students strength in math without even realizing it. I think that it is a great way to cover two subjects in one, both reading and mathematics. I was pleased to see how refreshing the story of Noah's Ark could be, as the story rhymes through out and illustrations come to life. The illustrations almost look like clay objects, as they depict the story of the animals getting on the boat, in pairs, as Noah is trying to save his family from a flood that is about to come. This book shows such diversity in all the different types of animals and people. Two by Two is such a clever name for this story, as each animal two by two come onto the boat. It is a great way to learn counting and I would definitely want this in my classroom for my future students.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I am mixed about. Loved it as an older kid myself, and as always am a huge fan of Barbara Reid's plasticine illustrations. However I'm not big on books about bible stories, generally, nor do I love the fact that this one opens with God saying people are bad so "let them drown". We're not a religious family so I don't need my 3 year old freaking out about a vengeful god. So we usually change the words of that part. But otherwise it's a great one with good rhythm, bright, engaging illustrations, and so many creative perspectives (from above, a cross section of the boat, etc) that it totally holds up.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm in awe of anyone who can draw, and even more in awe of people who can take that skill and turn it to intricate techniques like cut paper or, in this case, modelling clay! Noah's Ark is probably my favourite biblical story; I love the animals, the rainbow, the promise of a fresh, new land. This was a lovely rendition of the story; I pored over each picture, enjoying the detail and the subtle humour throughout. Good fun!

[Livvie Esslinger]

This book puts the story of Noah and his family into a ryhme.

This was really cute, and the illustrations were unusually abstract.

I would use this book when talking about rhyming words. I could also talk about the number patterns in the story.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story in wonderful rhyme is about Noah and his family bringing the animals into the ark to save them from the Flood. The gorgeous illustrations are created in Plasticine. At the end of the story is a song - lyrics by the author, six verses and a chorus - with the score to sing.

[Lee (of Shalott) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding Plasticine sculpting make this one a work of art - fascinating to kids & adults.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful art in this one.

[Becker Children · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Reid's plasticine illustrations are endlessly fascinating and filled with detail. We have her "Night Before Christmas" as well. Bonus points for telling Noah's ark in rhyme!