Goodnight, Ark

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2–After the animals board the ark and find sleeping spots, Noah heads off for a well-deserved rest. Unfortunately, the sounds of rain, hail, lightning, and thunder wake the animals who soon seek refuge---two by two---in Noah’s bed. The patriarch doesn’t wake until the tipping ark startles the skunks, which release noxious fumes. After the excitement, Noah croons a sleepy tune to lull the restless passengers to sleep. Sassi’s bouncy verse incorporates lots of onomatopoeia for the sounds of weather and animals. The quail “Squee! Squee! Squawk!” while hail “pops” and “pings.” Minimal text per page allows Chapman plenty of space to showcase the animals’ movements. Sleepy skunks under Noah’s bed appear harmless until its collapse. Listeners will enjoy following the pairs from one illustration to the next. Despite the storm, the tone is reassuring, not frightening, making the book an obvious bedtime choice. Worthwhile companion titles include Susan Campbell Bartoletti’s soothing Naamah and the Ark at Night (Candlewick, 2011) and Sandra Boynton’s busy Going to Bed Book (Little Simon, 1982).–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato