This Is The Ark That Noah Built

This Is the Ark That Noah Built, by Shirley Neitzel, is written in the style of the poem"This is the House that Jack Built." Noah and the animals are depicted colorfully and vividly by illustrator, Benrei Huang.

Two by two the animals file into the ark as Noah stands by watching. The sheep look a little nervous as the lions follow them into the ark. Your children will giggle if you make animal noises as you read the following aloud:

"These are the lions, with deafening roars, that lay by the sheep with frightened baas, that followed the donkeys, with hees and haws, that went in the ark that Noah built."

After the animals are all in the ark, the writing style departs from its repeating rhyme, and the author tells us how it rained and rained until finally a dove returning with an olive branch caused Noah to realize that the water was receding.

"'Noah,' God said, 'you've obeyed my command. Never again will I flood all the land. That is my promise. Remember it by the rainbow I've placed high in the sky.'"

The last few pages of the book are devoted to related family activities such as making a rainbow, puppets and a mobile. There are also helpful and fun facts about the story of Noah and the Ark.

What I Like: I love the lilting rhyme that this beloved story is written in. I like the suggested family activities and the fact sheet at the end of the book. Children will be engaged by this book.

What I Dislike: I have a problem with the fact that the book is not biblically correct. The animals are pictured as entering the ark while the rain starts to pour outside. A whole page is dedicated to describing how Noah's family helped him to shut the door of the ark. One of my favorite parts of this biblical story is how God shut the door of the ark! There is also no mention of why God flooded the earth to begin with.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8, but can be read aloud to younger children.

Publishing Info: Augsburg Books, 2004; ISBN:0806646438; paperback, $9.99.

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Special Info: View the author's web page here.

A Blessing From Above

I am inclined to call A Blessing from Above, written by Patti Henderson and illustrated by Liz Edge, a fairy-tale about adoption, as the story begins with the words “once upon a time...” In the story, Momma-Roo, a kangaroo, has an “empty pouch.” She sees other animals in the forest with their babies and she wants one, too. One day, as she is sitting under a tree, a baby bird falls into her pouch. The mama bird, who has just lost her chick, “knew her nest was not big enough for all her chicks...” and it made her happy “to see her baby blue-bird in such a warm, cuddly place.” Momma-Roo “adopts” the bird as her own and calls it “Little One.” The story ends with these words:

"Now every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings...but especially for each other."

The story references two Bible verses: “Children are a gift from God; they are His reward.” (Psalm 127:3); and “In love he destined us for adoption to himself...”(Ephesians 1:5).

The water-color illustrations are colorful and playful, lending a light-hearted air to the story.

What I Like: The story is short and simple, making it good for young children.

What I Dislike: I don’t like Christian children’s stories that begin with the words “Once upon a time.” That's the way you begin a fairy tale, not a Christian-based story. And the theme, adoption, isn’t handled very realistically in terms of a kangaroo “adopting” a baby bird. This might be a bit confusing for children, leading to more questions than answers for children trying to understand what adoption means. I think the story would have been stronger if the mama kangaroo had adopted a baby kangaroo.

Overall Rating: Good. I give the story a rating of “Good” as it might appeal to some audiences.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Golden Books, 2004; ISBN: 0375828664; Hardcover: $2.99.

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Special Info: Both the author and the illustrator of this book have personal experience with adoption. Patti Henderson is the mother of two adopted sons and Liz Edge is an adoptee.

I Will Not Be Afraid

From time to time, we all need to be reminded that God didn't give us a spirit of fear. Children, especially, need help learning this, and Michelle Medlock Adams' I Will Not Be Afraid, is a great tool for this purpose.
Featuring colorful, impressionistic art by Jeremy Tugeau, this book begins by listing things that typically frighten young children: thunder and lightening, the dark, meeting new children, performing on stage, and the news (specifically news about wars). We see a little girl braving them all, as she explains that "I will not be afraid at all, 'cause I know God is there." She tells us God is in control of everything - even storms, the dark, and wars. She knows God loves her and that she can trust him. He's "bigger than anything." She says God didn't make her to be scared, but if she does feel that way, she just prays.

"'Cause even when my life is through,
I know just where I'll go.

I'll go to heaven up above -
and there's no fear up there.
I'll live forever with my Lord,
forever in his care...

I will not be afraid at all
because You are my Friend.
Your perfect love removes my fear,
and Your love has no end."

The last page of the book is a note to parents, suggesting they discuss specific things their children could be afraid of, then explain how to combat those fears with prayer. The author even includes a simple prayer that children can learn quickly and easily.
What I Like: There are many secular books about childhood fears, but none teach children why they should not be afraid (because God is in control) and how they can effectively combat fear (through prayer). I Will Not Be Afraid does both these things. I also appreciate that each two page spread features a scripture that not only backs up the author's assertions, but can be used as a memory verse. Too, Jeremy Tugeau's illustrations are delightful. In warm colors, he shows truly kid-like children doing things most any child can relate to.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but my two year old loves this book, too.
Publishing Info: Concordia, 2008; ISBN: 0758613350; hardback, $14.99.
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