The bee and the fox, the sheep and the ox--two of each kind trudged aboard Noah's famous vessel. Peter Spier uses his own tra...
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reviews
Jul 07, 2011
David
rated it: 
Noah's Ark by Peter Spier, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1978, is a picturebook that tells the biblical story of Noah's Ark primarily in pictures. Spier translated a Dutch poem by Jacobus Revius, that tells of the ark, Noah's kin, and the pairs of animals who travelled on the ark for 40 days and nights, and how all survived through God's grace to return to land.
The very detailed pastel watercolor and ink illustrations carry this story and include practical details about th More...
The very detailed pastel watercolor and ink illustrations carry this story and include practical details about th More...
Mar 09, 2010
Josiah
rated it: 
There are many picture book versions of the Bible story of Noah's ark, but in my view this is an especially good one, second perhaps only to the version created by author/illustrator Charles Martin.
Peter Spier's take on the story is almost entirely visual, relying on the force of his artwork to relay the nuances of the flood's worldwide scope. In this, Peter Spier succeeds very well. He also includes some visual clues that most versions of the story don't touch upon, such as how ex More...
Peter Spier's take on the story is almost entirely visual, relying on the force of his artwork to relay the nuances of the flood's worldwide scope. In this, Peter Spier succeeds very well. He also includes some visual clues that most versions of the story don't touch upon, such as how ex More...
Aug 29, 2011
Abby
rated it: 
Except for the supplemental poem on one of the first pages, Noah's Ark relies entirely on the strength of the illustrations. I have a bias towards books like this, that tell the story with images instead of words, and this story is exceptionally well-told.
The story of Noah's Ark is very well-known, but even though I have heard it told countless times, and seen it represented in countless ways, Spier still had new ideas and images to present to me. What was it really like to build the ark? More...
The story of Noah's Ark is very well-known, but even though I have heard it told countless times, and seen it represented in countless ways, Spier still had new ideas and images to present to me. What was it really like to build the ark? More...
Jan 30, 2011
Jose
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This picture book, illustrated by Peter Spier, sketches the story of Noah's Ark. This book includes no text with its illustrations. The story is told through cartoon-like-drawings. Action is captured through these illustrations such as the wind blowing, animal movement, and life in the ark through the flood. As it begins to rain, the illustrations explain that the water levels are rising and that soon the large vessel will be afloat. Spier uses very somber colors which give the illustrations a w
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Dec 28, 2010
Jamie
rated it: 
A beautiful retelling of the biblical Noah’s Ark tale, Peter Spier’s Noah’s Ark will certainly hold a spot in the hearts of readers. The first page of the book features a poem by Jacobus Revius, explaining everything that happened with the building of Noah’s Ark and the long journey at sea with all of the animals.
The illustrations, done in detailed watercolor and ink, feature lots of little details that can have a reader looking at the illustrations for hours. The animals, people and More...
The illustrations, done in detailed watercolor and ink, feature lots of little details that can have a reader looking at the illustrations for hours. The animals, people and More...
Jun 16, 2009
Doree
rated it:
1978 Caldecott Medal. I generally don't like wordless picture books, but this one was pretty cool. Maybe it's because the Ark story is already pretty fanciful, even in written Biblical form. I do wish that Spier had included a little text, if only for the kids unfamiliar with the story already. Some of my favorite story elements: What it might have been like to be one of the not chosen two-by-two to be on the Ark (twisted as it is, I liked the elephants standing in rising water, watching the clo
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Feb 05, 2010
Shanna
rated it:
Everyone should have at least one Noah's Ark story, and Peter Spier's version is one of the best available. It is especially well suited to children, with its wordless format and careful attention to visual detail. Sweeping illustrations fill up each page with well-developed vignettes, evoking the horror, danger and hope of the original story.
The story is simple, yet this book is complex enough for both pre-readers and readers. Having discussed it with an adult, pre-readers will b More...
The story is simple, yet this book is complex enough for both pre-readers and readers. Having discussed it with an adult, pre-readers will b More...
Sep 13, 2008
Lauralee
rated it:
What a realistic representation of life on the ark.
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Feb 01, 2012
Roger
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This Quiet Lady is a picture book that cleverly conveys “The Beginning” at the end as the child in the story views pictures of her mother from her mom’s childhood to the birth of herself. The pictures allow a reader to experience the past and present simultaneously on opposite pages. The use of sepia colors gives the book a genuine feel for the power of photographs as they vividly come to life in the colorful portraits on the adjacent page. School-age readers ages 5 – 9 will find the most intere
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Jan 23, 2012
Herbie
rated it:
Noah's Ark was an incredible book very worth the the Caldecott medal it was given in 1978. Speir told this story while using little to no words and instead telling story through his wonderful illustrations. I spent a long time gazing at the artwork attempting to absorb all of the information Speir drew into each page. This book is great for all ages but especially good for children who haven't yet heard the biblical story of Noah and the Ark. I was very impressed by this book and would recom
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Oct 10, 2008
Genre: Wordless Narrative
Grade Level: K-2
This book is a Caldecott Award Winner. It is mainly all pictures of Noah and his ark, building it, attempting to gather all the animals and people, specifically pointing out there is two of each animal, trying to navigate the huge ark back to land, as the flood waters lowered. It is an excellent book, that is awesome for younger children.
*I would think this book might only be used in a Christian school because of its religious m More...
Grade Level: K-2
This book is a Caldecott Award Winner. It is mainly all pictures of Noah and his ark, building it, attempting to gather all the animals and people, specifically pointing out there is two of each animal, trying to navigate the huge ark back to land, as the flood waters lowered. It is an excellent book, that is awesome for younger children.
*I would think this book might only be used in a Christian school because of its religious m More...
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Nov 25, 2008
Snorkle
rated it:
While I thought the illustrations for this book were quite nice in detail and color, I didn't really care for the content as much. This book wasn't very historically or biblically accurate. I am pretty sure that Noah did not have glass jars to keep all the bugs in, nor metal cages for the tigers...and one page in particular is especially depressing for me, it's near the beginning. All the animals are boarding the ark two by two and after that there are still all these other animals waiting ou
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Oct 06, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Noah's Ark was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1978. It tells the biblical story of Noah's Ark.
The very detailed pastel watercolor and ink illustrations carry this story and include practical details about the hard work required to care for the animals, and the mess the animals made. Lots of humor is included in the pictures, such as an elephant standing on a rat's tale, all the rabbits that depart the ark when only two came aboard. For ages 4 to 3rd grade.
The very detailed pastel watercolor and ink illustrations carry this story and include practical details about the hard work required to care for the animals, and the mess the animals made. Lots of humor is included in the pictures, such as an elephant standing on a rat's tale, all the rabbits that depart the ark when only two came aboard. For ages 4 to 3rd grade.
Jan 01, 2011
Caldecott, 1978
In poetic verse, this book tells the story of the flood and Noah's Ark. Through intricate detailed pictures, the story comes to life. Pictures include humor, exact detail, authors interpretation.
Excellent pictures! Check for the following: elephant on rat's tail, 2 rabbits in, how many out?, pool of water inside, babies, owls spiders, who gets to eat the branch?, Noah's wife relieved, left a mess, turtles and snails last to leave.
In poetic verse, this book tells the story of the flood and Noah's Ark. Through intricate detailed pictures, the story comes to life. Pictures include humor, exact detail, authors interpretation.
Excellent pictures! Check for the following: elephant on rat's tail, 2 rabbits in, how many out?, pool of water inside, babies, owls spiders, who gets to eat the branch?, Noah's wife relieved, left a mess, turtles and snails last to leave.
Feb 01, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I always forget that Noah only taking two of each animal left other members of the herd, pride, flock or family to die. This picture book presents that idea very poignantly. There are two sentences, one at the beginning and one at the end, as well as a poem translated from Dutch. Everything else is told through the pictures, which are detailed and interesting to look at. I think it could have used some more words to tie everything together, but it wasn't a bad book.
Dec 02, 2010
Alexa
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This book is really neat as it is a wordless picture book. It captures the story of Noah's ark that is in the Bible, and it seems like it would be a good book for young children. You would have to make sure that the kids have somewhat of a base of the actual Bible story however. It is a good realistic interpretation of Noah's ark. You can really see how Naoh provides for his family through having faith in God.
Oct 27, 2010
Libby
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I really liked this version of Noah's ark. There's a great poem at the beginning that my son never wanted me to read (it's kinda long) but after that it proceeds to tell the story without words. The pictures are really great and my son loved looking through them and pointing out all the different animals. I think this is my favorite Noah's Ark book for kids (though I haven't read many)
Feb 05, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
I use this in our Caldecott unit to talk about what "detail" means in illustration, about the use of panels, and about how pictures and layout create mood. In one dramatic moment, for example, the contrast between the activity inside the ark and the complete quiet and stillness outside is conveyed through Spier's choice of layout. Wordless.
Oct 15, 2009
C
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I just found this Noah's Ark book at a used book store and like it a lot. Caldecott medal winner. Few words, just an old Dutch poem about the ark at the beginning and a few words at the end. Just a lot of fun and funny pictures of Noah and the animals on board. but not just funny, it also captures some of the feelings of Noah, especially.
Sep 10, 2010
Len
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As I noted in a comment to my daughter - this doesn't have any words! Is it really a book? Sure, great illustrations, pretty dramatic story that's easy to follow. But this one - your kids read aloud to you - because they fill in the words. Still - real book or not - I give it five stars. Won some big award too, so I'm not alone.
Oct 09, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
A beautifully and cleverly illustrated book about Noah's Ark. It begins with an old Dutch poem, but the rest of it is made up of the illustrations, which tell the story so much better than any words could do. I loved it, especially how you can see just how relieved Noah is when he know it is safe to finally leave the ark.
Oct 08, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
This is one my parents bought for me as a kid. I still have it. Peter Spier is an excellent illustrator. The book starts with a poem on the second page, then the rest is just pictures, of what it actually would have been like on an ark full of animals. Poop and all! It is very detailed. My kids love to look at it too.
May 28, 2011
Jim
rated it:
6 Stars
this is the only audio book i've given six stars.
a narrated cd of a wordless caldecott winner. yeah.
Stewart Copeland's soundtrack is Amazing. the narration by James Earl Jones describing the illustrations is also a joy to listen to. Also included is a reading of the text from the King James by James Earl Jones.
this is the only audio book i've given six stars.
a narrated cd of a wordless caldecott winner. yeah.
Stewart Copeland's soundtrack is Amazing. the narration by James Earl Jones describing the illustrations is also a joy to listen to. Also included is a reading of the text from the King James by James Earl Jones.
Dec 03, 2011
Alex
rated it:
this book is a great way to get children started in the book world. They can look at the pictures as you the parent or teacher can tell them the story. They may not be old enough to understand but if you tell the story just right in an exciting manner they will be hooked from the beginning.
Oct 26, 2011
Julie
rated it:
CALDECOTT WINNER 1978
TRADITIONAL
The biblical story of an everlasting rainstorm is told through pictures.
I really liked looking through this book. Though there aren't words to accompany the pictures, they aren't necessary. The faces of Noah and the animals are expressive and beautiful.
TRADITIONAL
The biblical story of an everlasting rainstorm is told through pictures.
I really liked looking through this book. Though there aren't words to accompany the pictures, they aren't necessary. The faces of Noah and the animals are expressive and beautiful.
Feb 16, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
This is a wonderfully illustrated book about the story of Noah and the flood. The narrative was brief and simple, and most of the pages have no words. The animals are nicely detailed and we loved the depiction of how crowded and messy it was on the ark. Our girls really liked this book.
Dec 09, 2009
This book is the story of the flood told entirely in pictures. It's got humor, drama, tenderness - all in pictures. I loved it as a kid and I still love it. Fortunately you can't illustrate God's wrath or instructions about cubits, so it mostly reads like a tale of survival and hope.
Apr 22, 2009
Tina
rated it:
This is almost a wordless book, but the story of Noah's Ark is told with such humor and insight. There is a clever poem at the beginning and then just loads of glorious pictures of the animals and Noah's interactions with them. Very fun to look at... a classic, I believe.
Jan 11, 2009
Kirei
rated it:
This wordless book illustrates Noah's Ark. It shows the animals left behind--I felt sorry for them! It also shows the village getting covered with water.
It also shows how much work it would have been to keep the ark clean and the animals fed.
It also shows how much work it would have been to keep the ark clean and the animals fed.
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May 02, 2010
Beth
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The book starts with the poem "The Flood" by Jacobus Revius (1586-1658) translated from Dutch by Peter Spier. The poem is three columns in length. The rest of the story is told completely in colored illustrations. The size of illustrations varies.
