Synopses & Reviews
In this Romanian folk version of the Noah story, getting the animals to march, two by two, onto the ark is the easy part. Its Noahs stubborn wife who insists that shes staying on dry land. Frustrated, Noah finally declares, Oh, you devil, come in!” and not only persuades his reluctant wife but also gives the Devil himself the invitation he needed to come aboard.
Master storyteller Neil Philip retells the familiar tale of Noah with numerous witty folktale twists. Filled with adventure and humor, the story is richly illustrated in watercolor with sparkling gold leaf accents. Authors note.
Review
Philip's tone is breezy and direct. . . . Brent's watercolor illustrations depict characters in a folk-art style, making frequent use of further borders and frames to inset the images on the page, and both borders and images are highlighted with gilt lines and shapes that catch the light. Young listeners will enjoy the new twists in this familiar tale.
Review
Illustrated with glorious, gold-drenched watercolors, Philip weaves a number of Romanian pourquoi tales into the biblical story of Noah and the ark. . . .The pages, bordered in jewel-toned folk-art patterns, hold pictures of voluptuos beauty, from naturalistic animal portraits to a sea resembling silk ribbon shot with lumnious fish.
Kirkus Reviews
This book will interest those searching for variants of the familiar Noah story, but even readers unfamiliar with Genesis can enjoy the twists and turns of this account.
School Library Journal
Philip's tone is breezy and direct. . . . Brent's watercolor illustrations depict characters in a folk-art style, making frequent use of further borders and frames to inset the images on the page, and both borders and images are highlighted with gilt lines and shapes that catch the light. Young listeners will enjoy the new twists in this familiar tale.
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"An attractive, unusual offering." Booklist, ALA
Review
"An attractive, unusual offering."
About the Author
Neil Philip is a noted folklorist and anthologist who has written several books on Native American and multicultural themes for Clarion, including IN A SACRED MANNER I LIVE, which was named both a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. He lives in England.