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On Noah's Ark
Jan Brett's intricate illustrations make a stunning picture book of a favorite story--this time featuring Noah's granddaughter.
As the floodwaters rise, she helps take the animals onto the ark and get them settled down. But it's not easy when giraffes are sleeping next to pandas and lions are curled up with turkeys. Finally the gentle rocking of the ark lulls them all to sleep until the waters recede and Grandpa Noah, his family, and all the animals leave the ark.
This simple telling, combined with extraordinary illustrations of every animal imaginable, makes On Noah's Ark perfect for young and old.
As the floodwaters rise, she helps take the animals onto the ark and get them settled down. But it's not easy when giraffes are sleeping next to pandas and lions are curled up with turkeys. Finally the gentle rocking of the ark lulls them all to sleep until the waters recede and Grandpa Noah, his family, and all the animals leave the ark.
This simple telling, combined with extraordinary illustrations of every animal imaginable, makes On Noah's Ark perfect for young and old.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2003
11 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Jan Brett
113 books1,029 followersWith over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 6, 2020
What a beautiful book Jan has made. Her panels are different here. She makes an outline of an animal for each panel and then shows a different animal inside the outline. This book is all about animals. They are on every page in beautiful details. I love the pages of them sleeping entwined together. They have ostriches, giraffes, foxes, and peacocks. And many more. Jan stuff’s the pages full of any animal one can think of.
The story is told from the perspective of Noah’s grandson who takes care of the animals. I like that angle. It’s all about the animals.
The nephew tried to think of an animal not in here, but on some page he found it somewhere. He had a whole lot of fun reading this book. He gave this 4 stars.
The story is told from the perspective of Noah’s grandson who takes care of the animals. I like that angle. It’s all about the animals.
The nephew tried to think of an animal not in here, but on some page he found it somewhere. He had a whole lot of fun reading this book. He gave this 4 stars.
June 22, 2025
Wonderful retelling of this story. When I was very small I asked my mom why the dinosaurs were not saved on Noah's Ark. She told me that they would not behave; and that that is what happens when rules are not followed! Funny how you remember things from when you are little! One day I am going to have to write a book about this (thanks mom)!
October 31, 2015
I tend to stay away from religious books, especially those that are geared toward children because I don't want to deal with conflicting thoughts or principles, but this one is fantastic. I love that it doesn't touch on anything religious, just very basic-- the rains are coming so "grandpa noah" builds an ark, the animals go on the ark in pairs, the rains come and the animals are all squished together, the rain stops, the animals go their own way. that's basically the gist of it. as a child, we've all wondered how the animals for together and slept etc. and this is fun to see the perspective of the granddaughter. as always Jan Brett has incredible, beautiful illustrations!
July 13, 2012
This book is heavy with beautiful, rich, intriguing illustrations and light on Biblical content.
There is no mention of God, the evil of men that caused the flood, Noah's sacrifice after leaving the ark, or God's promise to never flood the earth again (though there is a rainbow in the last illustration, it is not explained).
Though some ideas fall under artistic/ creative license, like the theory that men and animals on the ark slept more than normal (God could have made this happen to keep everyone sane), further inaccuracies that clearly contradict the Biblical text include: rain starting before the ark is loaded, a crowded ark, the presence of Noah's granddaughter (or any children for that matter) on the ark, the prevalence of mountains in the landscape (they are not covered by the flood waters), the inhabitants on the ark for only 40 days and nights, and (laughable) Noah "steers the ark to land".
This book was recommended by Tapestry of Grace as a contrast text. The assigned exercise included reading "The True Story of Noah's Ark" by Dooley, then this book, and finally the Biblical text, while recording our answers to the same 8ish questions was helpful in reminding us all that the Bible is the authority on what happened in the flood.
If you were going to buy one book on the Flood, this is NOT it. My student was even a bit confused by how far from the mark it is. If you're using it as a contrast text, get it from the library or via inter library loan. I'm disappointed we paid full price for it and will probably put it in the to-sell pile.
There is no mention of God, the evil of men that caused the flood, Noah's sacrifice after leaving the ark, or God's promise to never flood the earth again (though there is a rainbow in the last illustration, it is not explained).
Though some ideas fall under artistic/ creative license, like the theory that men and animals on the ark slept more than normal (God could have made this happen to keep everyone sane), further inaccuracies that clearly contradict the Biblical text include: rain starting before the ark is loaded, a crowded ark, the presence of Noah's granddaughter (or any children for that matter) on the ark, the prevalence of mountains in the landscape (they are not covered by the flood waters), the inhabitants on the ark for only 40 days and nights, and (laughable) Noah "steers the ark to land".
This book was recommended by Tapestry of Grace as a contrast text. The assigned exercise included reading "The True Story of Noah's Ark" by Dooley, then this book, and finally the Biblical text, while recording our answers to the same 8ish questions was helpful in reminding us all that the Bible is the authority on what happened in the flood.
If you were going to buy one book on the Flood, this is NOT it. My student was even a bit confused by how far from the mark it is. If you're using it as a contrast text, get it from the library or via inter library loan. I'm disappointed we paid full price for it and will probably put it in the to-sell pile.
April 21, 2018
Beautiful illustrations( which is characteristic of all Jan Brett books), with this particular title having the style something like the Animalia book. I like that the narrative is pared down and not religious. Rather, it alludes to survival and renewal, with the wild species establishing their habitat, and the domesticated ones staying with humans, and the planting of seeds.
October 29, 2008
GREAT illustrations, but I don't really like this version of the Noah story; it leaves out too much that is important and de-spiritualizes it completely.
November 19, 2013
The illustrations were beautiful in this one! Great family read, and a wonderful story about Noah's ark. The kids all loved it even though there weren't many words, still enjoyed by all of us. Highly recommended.
March 14, 2013
Lovely images, blah text.
March 22, 2011
This is the simplest form of a Noah's Ark story I've ever read. So simple it actually leaves out all the turmoil of evil men, of Noah being laughed at for being obedient to God--well, it even leaves out God! If this were the only version of Noah's Ark to have in my library, then I'd give it one star or less, but because I have dozens of versions to choose from, I'd have to say that I'm quite enchanted by this version.
First of all, it's hard to explain to a little one that there were enough mean people in the world that they all needed to be wiped away by a flood. Even the rainbow at the end isn't enough to keep them from being frightened or asking a million and one questions. The real Biblical story is better suited for an older-than-picture book age range. This version focuses on the journey itself and how all the animals fared during that long and steady rain. Noah is the protagonist's grandpa, and the young girl (who actually looks quite a bit like a boy) watches over the zoo, corralling them, even sleeping with them.
In Brett's typical style, some of the pages have borders with bits of added story in them. In some books of hers I've found the borders to complicate the look of the page too much, but in this book each page spread is really and truly gorgeous.
First of all, it's hard to explain to a little one that there were enough mean people in the world that they all needed to be wiped away by a flood. Even the rainbow at the end isn't enough to keep them from being frightened or asking a million and one questions. The real Biblical story is better suited for an older-than-picture book age range. This version focuses on the journey itself and how all the animals fared during that long and steady rain. Noah is the protagonist's grandpa, and the young girl (who actually looks quite a bit like a boy) watches over the zoo, corralling them, even sleeping with them.
In Brett's typical style, some of the pages have borders with bits of added story in them. In some books of hers I've found the borders to complicate the look of the page too much, but in this book each page spread is really and truly gorgeous.
September 9, 2010
This version of Noah's Ark leaves out God and fails to live up to the Biblical account found in Genesis.
June 2, 2022
I LOVE this book. The writing is soothing and perfect as a bedtime story, the illustrations are a work of art.
February 28, 2017
The traditional picture book I choose to read was “On Noah’s Ark” written by Jan Brett. This book is a children’s folktale based off the story Noah’s Ark in the Bible. I thought this was interesting because it’s based off of religious stories. “On Noah’s Ark” represents cultural values through unity. The book displaying colorful detailed pictures and words, the story comes to life and is about a little girl and her grandpa and they are building an Arc to save every animal species and themselves from a flood that lasts forty days and forty nights. The pictures throughout the book flow very well with the text.
I really enjoyed this cute little story because I know a lot about this religious story already. The author did an incredible job illustrating the pictures, it really shows her love for animals with how detailed she made the pictures. Each page had a border with a set of different pictures that tell another story which I really enjoyed. This book is great for young children learning about this religious folktale and it explains the religious aspect very well with easy to read words. Very good for young children just starting to learn how to read.
I really enjoyed this cute little story because I know a lot about this religious story already. The author did an incredible job illustrating the pictures, it really shows her love for animals with how detailed she made the pictures. Each page had a border with a set of different pictures that tell another story which I really enjoyed. This book is great for young children learning about this religious folktale and it explains the religious aspect very well with easy to read words. Very good for young children just starting to learn how to read.
March 2, 2017
This book is about traditional book, and it can be folk tales for sub genre. I believe it is base on one of the Bible story. Also , It treat one grandfather and granddaughter story. They finding way from flood, and they try to help animals settle down in new land. Moreover, she tried to make peaceful environment for animals, and she also sleep with animals. After rains stop, grandfather sends his dove off to look for land, and the dove came back with fresh green leaf from new tree. Thus, They knew that they can take off from their ship.
This book is based on a very realistic depiction, and the animals are depicted very specifically. Also, This book used a frame for inside the book to express the picture. Thus, it feels like watching to the artwork in the frame. This format seems to be a very interesting and new format. Moreover, this book include historical story , so it can help improving children’s knowledge.
This book is based on a very realistic depiction, and the animals are depicted very specifically. Also, This book used a frame for inside the book to express the picture. Thus, it feels like watching to the artwork in the frame. This format seems to be a very interesting and new format. Moreover, this book include historical story , so it can help improving children’s knowledge.
February 7, 2014
I would have given this book 2 stars just for the illustrations, but the secularization of the story made me too angry. Let me make clear that I am not in any way a biblical literalist. I have no problem with personalizing the story with a few details. But when you purposely leave out a major character in the story (God), it is not the same story. If Ms.Brett finds God unpalatable, she should write a story of her own instead of ripping off biblical literature.
At least Ms.Brett could have had the decency to call her invented story by another name, instead of pretending that it had anything to do with the Biblical tale.
At least Ms.Brett could have had the decency to call her invented story by another name, instead of pretending that it had anything to do with the Biblical tale.
October 5, 2012
This version of the Noah's Ark was not my favorite. I can understand maybe not including all of the religious aspects such as God punishing the people and creating the flood, etc. That may just be a reason to be able to have this story placed in a public school setting. However, Noah's Ark IS a religious story. There is something missing from the moral of the story, no lesson to be learned when you take out one of the main characters, God. The only reason I give it TWO stars is because of the illustrations. While I did not enjoy this version of Noah's Ark, the pictures were very vivid and beautiful.
January 12, 2016
Thoughtful and beautifully done art, but the story was too ... ... ... basic?
December 31, 2016
Read this today at the library and especially enjoyed Brett's depiction of the animals on the ark.
November 20, 2017
Jan Brett books have great illustrations. We liked this book.
December 6, 2017
Book about Noah’s ark and what happened on it. The animals were crowded and there was not much room. It rained for forty days. But he end is near. They will be in their new homes soon.
August 14, 2018
No plot, no characters, just an excuse for Brett to go to Africa (as admitted in bio) and for another book for fans.
December 3, 2019
The illustrations in this book were full of details. Jan Brett uses a border for her illustrations that include additional illustrations, that help to add to the story. An example of this is on page 15 where the side illustration contains a picture of the bird that looks a lot like a dodo, being bumped into by an animal that looks like a wolf. Perhaps that’s what happened to the dodo. There is not much text, the illustrations are what tell the story.
May 9, 2017
The illustrations were beautiful but the story is not at all faithful to the Biblical text.
1. A grandchild on the ark?
2. It shows a couple adults other than "grandpa" Noah but they are never mentioned.
3. It shows water building up around the ark even before the rain.
4. The tops of mountains poke up above the water.
5. The dove is sent out to look for land with mountain peaks showing in the distance.
6. Noah steers the ark to the land
7. Not one word mentioning God or human kind's sin.
5/8/17 Read to Naomi & Julia.
1. A grandchild on the ark?
2. It shows a couple adults other than "grandpa" Noah but they are never mentioned.
3. It shows water building up around the ark even before the rain.
4. The tops of mountains poke up above the water.
5. The dove is sent out to look for land with mountain peaks showing in the distance.
6. Noah steers the ark to the land
7. Not one word mentioning God or human kind's sin.
5/8/17 Read to Naomi & Julia.
May 11, 2017
Brett applies her artistic talents to Biblical subjects in this book - which as you can imagine is not my favourite topic - but at least the story of Noah’s arc allows her much room to exercise her love of intricate drawings, multiple storylines, and animal forms. Basically the whole book is comprised of animals, since humans (and Noah himself) play very little role except for building and driving the boat, so I didn’t have to be disgusted with the typical preachy tone.
November 29, 2017
This is a great religious book. I would have to be careful keeping this in my classroom because not every child will know about the Bible and the story of Noah. So if I child was, this would be excellent. This would help them see the story of Noah and see the great illustrations.
August 12, 2020
Jan Brett has some of the best illustrated childrens books of our time. The stories are simple, but complete, and with a bit of humour.
The Owl has such a look on his face staring at the two hummingbirds standing on Noahs grandsons shoe. Cute.
The Owl has such a look on his face staring at the two hummingbirds standing on Noahs grandsons shoe. Cute.
October 20, 2022
How have I not discovered Jan Brett until now? Oh my word, her art is amazing. She imagines here the story of Noah from the perspective of his granddaughter caring for animals on the ark. A truly lovely take on the story, one that animal-loving readers are sure to cherish.
October 25, 2024
Jan Brett knocks it out of the park once again with beauty, detail, and artistry. The story, however, is not the Noah's ark we all know and love. I mean, it captures lots of rain, the animals two by two, and the dove bringing back a leafy twig... but that's about it.
September 8, 2017
Decent rendition of the Bible story, not extremely accurate. Quick read.
From Schaeffer's
From Schaeffer's
September 25, 2017
I thought that this was a good book. the illustrations were very good. My kids and I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to others.
November 15, 2017
This is a great book to read to a class that's learning about the Bible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews