All Aboard for Noah's Ark!

by Elana Azose, Monica Garofalo (Illustrator)

Overview

Noah is building an ark and Lionel and Dolores, a pair of hedgehogs, are there to make sure the plan goes off without a hitch. "But you’re so tiny," Noah says, and goes to look for some big strong bears. Soon animals start arriving from all over the world, thanks to Dolores' idea to send out invitations. "We can help," says Lionel when the cats get scared on the waves. "You’re too prickly," Noah says, but the pair know just what to say to calm the others down. And, before Noah has a chance to think about it, they have a plan in the works for when the ark reaches dry land...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728486826
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	656,835
Product dimensions:	10.88(w) x 9.13(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Elana Azose began her writing career in the first grade with a novel about a unicorn family. She only got to page seven, but it was a gripping saga nonetheless. She went on to earn a BA in English Literature and a Master's in Educational Technology. Elana lives in sunny Los Angeles, where she heads to the beach as often as she can.

Monica Garofalo lives in Trento, a city in northern Italy, and has been drawing since she was a child. She loves to mix styles and techniques in her illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

"A clever twist on a familiar story with a positive secular message." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

07/12/2024

PreS-Gr 2—Digitally created collages use rich hues and textures to offer a new twist on the story of Noah's Ark. In this version, tenacious hedgehogs Lionel and Dolores offer all manner of help: Lionel offers Noah his event-planning business card and says, "I will make sure everything goes off without a hitch!" Noah responds, "But you're so tiny. A bigger animal could lift and carry more. I'll ask the bears to help." The hedgehogs refuse to take no for an answer, sending out invitations and iceberg transport to faraway animals, comfort to "'fraidy-cats," and food, all while Noah consistently overlooks them in favor of bigger, scarier, wiser, and even fluffier animals. Young readers will enjoy discovering all the clever ways, embedded into the illustrations, where the tenacious hedgehogs insert their assistance. After 40 days and 40 nights, hapless Noah finally notices. "You two really saved the day! You may be small, but you are powerful!" Often clunky text may diminish the read-aloud possibilities, but the dual messages remain clear: don't overlook the little helpers and never give up. VERDICT A clever twist on a familiar story with a positive secular message.—Rebecca Kirshenbaum

School Library Journal

2023-12-06
When a storm of biblical proportions looms, who will help Noah?

Noah gathers the animals together to announce that “a big rain is coming” and that he’ll build an ark for their safety. Lionel, a diminutive hedgehog, immediately offers his assistance. Noah dismisses Lionel (he’s too small to help, Noah claims) and says that he’ll seek help from the bears. Next morning, Noah doesn’t know how to alert the animals who live far away. “Already taken care of!” declares Lionel. Dolores, his hedgehog partner, sent them invitations. And so it goes: Noah repeatedly rejects help from Lionel and Dolores—sort of party planners/cruise directors. Happily, some animals pitch in with the ark building, but the labor doesn’t make them forget they’re hungry predators. Guess who forestalls that crisis—and also prevents the ark from overturning in giant waves? When the rain finally stops and the ark reaches dry land, Noah admits the hedgehogs have saved the day, sending readers the important message that even the smallest of creatures can be a huge help, especially when friends are in a jam. This new take on the Noah story will be welcome to those familiar with the tale and newcomers alike for its freshness and flashes of modern humor, particularly in the colorful, rollicking illustrations. All characters are expressive. Noah is light-skinned.

Proof that well-meant help, whether in big or small doses, is always appreciated, rain or shine. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews