Og's Ark

by Allison Marks, Wayne Marks, Martina Peluso (Illustrations)

Og the giant is so big that no bed is large enough or strong enough to hold him. He never gets a good night's sleep―but all the animals know he has a gentle heart under his groggy grumpiness. Then a man named Noah asks for Og's help, and Og's life changes forever.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you were a giant who just wanted to sleep in a nice cozy bed? That’s all Og wanted to do. Og came into the world when God separated the earth from the sky. When he cried forests swayed and when he cooed boulders fell from mountain tops. It took the milk of 100 cows and goats to feed him. It wasn’t long before he grew and broke all of the beds that were made for him from the tallest cedar trees. Sleeping on the ground was uncomfortable especially when the animals decided to snuggle up on and around him. One day Noah came to him and told him about the ark he must build. He knew that Og had a way with the animals and he wanted him to gather one male and one female of every kind throughout the land. Once the rains came Og was forced to ride on top of the ark because he was too big to fit inside. And still Og got no sleep. When the rain stopped and the ark was on land Noah asked Og how he could repay him for all of his help. Og replied, “All I want is a good night’s sleep in my own bed.” Noah looked up to the heavens and said, “Perhaps God will reward you for your good deed.” Do you think Og got what he wanted?

Authors Allison and Wayne Marks have spun a tale from the biblical character of Og, the King of Bashan. Vivid illustrations by Martina Peluso add a softness to this story making it perfect for bedtime or a read-a-loud in a classroom. Parents, teachers and caregivers will appreciate the biblical references. Young readers will enjoy the simple sentence structure and the pictures which can tell the story all on its own.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marks, Allison. Og’s Ark, PICTURE BOOK. Kar-Ben Publishing, 2016. $17.99.

Combining the stories of Noah’s Ark and Og, the last of the giants, this book tells about Og, who couldn’t seem to find a bed to support him. He decided to find a spot in the forest, but was never really comfortable. The animals loved Og and always cuddled up to him. When Noah needed to fill his ark with two of each animal, he asks for Og’s help because Og is so good with the animals. He helps Noah and waits out the flood riding on top of the ark. When the flood recedes, Og is rewarded with a gigantic home and a large, sturdy bed.

This book is a good choice for public libraries, as it is a religious subject, not really appropriate for school libraries. Readers will be interested in the pictures and the story is at a level that young readers will understand and make connections with.

PRE-K, EL (K-3)- PUBLIC. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This imaginative retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale about a good giant who helps Noah build his famous Ark and survives the Great Flood by hanging onto the Ark for dear life is well illustrated and very suitable for family reading. Og's friendships with the animals and his ginormous bed are portrayed in a whimsical yet believable way, and these elements add warmth and depth to the story, shattering the legendary stereotypes of mean and/or stupid giants that are so often found in fairy tales and folkloric anthologies.

Highly recommended, especially for readers who are seeking new and original retellings of the "Noah's Ark" story from sacred literature.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this book via inter-library loan and the good people at Worthington Libraries decided to buy it instead! Kudos for expanding the much neglected area of picture books for religions other than Christianity. This tale derives from an old Jewish legend, and authors and illustrator handle it brilliantly.

[Amber C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tale of the legendary biblical giant, Og. The illustrations in this children's book is so vivid, so colorful, and extremely satisfying to look at. My niece enjoyed listening to me read this entire book to her, and went to bed saying "Og! Og!"

5/5 - Amber

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting spin on the biblical tale of Noah's Ark. The author's note includes background information for the character of Og.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Og, the King of Bashan is coping with his enormous size. Og, he is the one who is said he survived the Mabul - the big flood - while holding onto the roof. He is a giant with a gentle heart though, who helped Noah to gather the animals, his best friends, to the arch. Aimed to the ages of 3 to 6, this beautifully illustrated book is aimed to help children to learn and understand the difference and diversity of human nature in general. It is also a gentle inspiration to love animals and accept one own's condition and, more importantly, learn how to practice kindness, especially towards those who cannot help themselves. It is simply yet insightfully written and a good book to read as a bedtime story.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher