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The True Story of Noah's Ark
God always has a plan; God always has a man. The plan: destroy the wickedness of the world. The man: Noah. How would you feel if you knew that God was going to destroy the world, and you had been chosen out of millions of people to continue the human race? This book is not just Sunday school material for kids, but the thrilling adventure of Noah comes to life through the dazzling, detailed illustrations and the exciting True Story of Noah's Ark. The images of the interior of Noah's ark are like nothing you've ever seen before. The people and cities depicted here are certainly more advanced than what you've been led to believe - these people weren't cavemen! They invented metals and musical instruments; they were skilled craftsmen; they built grand cities - all BEFORE the Flood. And this is not fiction - it's all biblically and historically based.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2003
8 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 20, 2013
Noah's Ark. We've all heard about it. We've all seen the famous tub boat illustration with giraffes sticking their necks out of an insanely too small boat. The famous icon is often used on baby blankets and curtains and other decor. That's not what really happened though, and The True Story of Noah's Ark is Tom Dooley's answer to a common misnomer.
Top things I appreciated in this book?
Fantastic illustrations---Bill Looney also illustrated Ken Ham's The True Story of Adam and Eve and in this book on Noah's ark he again uses his artistic skill to help you grasp the largeness of the event. I've seen no other illustrations that so accurately portray the realness of the catastrophe. Bill Looney is a fantastic artist and it shows on every page of this book.
Fold out panorama--I loved this feature as it allows for three full pages of the "insiders view" of Noah's ark. An enormous amount of detail was included. Absolutely stunning.
Easily read to children---Some books are written well, but they just don't "read" well to kids. This one is just the opposite. There are some great details included, and it's long enough where you'll need to take several sittings, but it's a book that could still fit into the bedtime story category.
There was one thing that I wished had been done differently. On page 47 the author comments that we know little from the Bible on what life was like aboard the ark, so can only speculate. It's a great thing that he gave that caveat, but from there on out he proceeds with a speculation that is written as though it were fact, going in detail on what Noah maybe did and thought. He tends to drift from speculation to fact, and a different type of wordage would have better conveyed that the author was only speculating, which is important. If you are reading this book to your child, the issue could easily be addressed. If it's an older child reading, a comment or two would easily right it.
Even with the above caution, I still enjoyed the book immensely. I appreciated the fact that the author does pay close attention to the Biblical account for actual details and the timeline, which is vital. Beautifully written and illustrated, it's sure to become popular in your household.
*Thanks to Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group for providing a free copy to me in exchange for my honest review.
Top things I appreciated in this book?
Fantastic illustrations---Bill Looney also illustrated Ken Ham's The True Story of Adam and Eve and in this book on Noah's ark he again uses his artistic skill to help you grasp the largeness of the event. I've seen no other illustrations that so accurately portray the realness of the catastrophe. Bill Looney is a fantastic artist and it shows on every page of this book.
Fold out panorama--I loved this feature as it allows for three full pages of the "insiders view" of Noah's ark. An enormous amount of detail was included. Absolutely stunning.
Easily read to children---Some books are written well, but they just don't "read" well to kids. This one is just the opposite. There are some great details included, and it's long enough where you'll need to take several sittings, but it's a book that could still fit into the bedtime story category.
There was one thing that I wished had been done differently. On page 47 the author comments that we know little from the Bible on what life was like aboard the ark, so can only speculate. It's a great thing that he gave that caveat, but from there on out he proceeds with a speculation that is written as though it were fact, going in detail on what Noah maybe did and thought. He tends to drift from speculation to fact, and a different type of wordage would have better conveyed that the author was only speculating, which is important. If you are reading this book to your child, the issue could easily be addressed. If it's an older child reading, a comment or two would easily right it.
Even with the above caution, I still enjoyed the book immensely. I appreciated the fact that the author does pay close attention to the Biblical account for actual details and the timeline, which is vital. Beautifully written and illustrated, it's sure to become popular in your household.
*Thanks to Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group for providing a free copy to me in exchange for my honest review.
June 24, 2019
The story behind this book is interesting. There is a theater in Lancaster, PA and also one in Branson, MO, called the Millennium Theater. They perform Bible stories which are over the top in excellence. If you have ever been blessed to see these plays you will never forget them.
The first play they did was Noah’s Ark. It played for years. It was that popular. The remarkable part of this play is the audience becomes a part of the ark, inside with all the animals. Since Noah’s Ark Millennium Theaters has done other plays but Noah’s Ark was the best.
This book The True Story of Noah's Ark was inspired by the play Noah’s Ark of the Millennium Theaters. It has beautiful life-like pictures. The story begins with Adam and Eve and goes through Noah. The authors make no apologies for being young earth creationists. At the end of the book is an invitation to receive Jesus as Savior.
The True Story of Noah’s Ark is more than a children’s book. It would profit any age to take its message seriously. It would be great material for Sunday school or a Bible study.
The first play they did was Noah’s Ark. It played for years. It was that popular. The remarkable part of this play is the audience becomes a part of the ark, inside with all the animals. Since Noah’s Ark Millennium Theaters has done other plays but Noah’s Ark was the best.
This book The True Story of Noah's Ark was inspired by the play Noah’s Ark of the Millennium Theaters. It has beautiful life-like pictures. The story begins with Adam and Eve and goes through Noah. The authors make no apologies for being young earth creationists. At the end of the book is an invitation to receive Jesus as Savior.
The True Story of Noah’s Ark is more than a children’s book. It would profit any age to take its message seriously. It would be great material for Sunday school or a Bible study.
November 7, 2019
This is a children's hardback book about life before the Flood and the making of Noah's Ark. There were colorful illustrations along with text explaining what life would've been like before and during the Flood. The author used the information included in the Bible and then filled in some information based on reasonable speculation. Overall, I'd recommend this to any Christian who wants to have a children's book about this event as this book is more accurate than most and gives an accurate idea of how big the ark really was.
June 29, 2023
Quite amazing depiction of a biblical story - the illustrations bring the story alive and the texi is extremely helpful in trying to imagine just what would have happened without being gory or depicting the horror for those not inside the ark.
The open up page in the centre of the book is a wonderful illustration of the shape and size of the ark, built according to God's instructions to withstand what was needed to keep Noah, his family and all the animals safe for the time period. Very well done book by both the author and the illustrator.
The open up page in the centre of the book is a wonderful illustration of the shape and size of the ark, built according to God's instructions to withstand what was needed to keep Noah, his family and all the animals safe for the time period. Very well done book by both the author and the illustrator.
September 15, 2018
The facts of the Biblical Account are well adhered to in this book with a great deal of embellishment to fill in what could have happened as well. I didn't care for the Thomas Kincaid style of illustrations personally but overall a pretty good book about The Flood.
September 12, 2023
One of the most well written and beautifully illustrated books on Noah’s Ark I have ever read. I read it out loud to my kids, too, and they were completely engaged throughout the whole story. (They were all under 10 years old). Highly recommend.
February 11, 2025
A Firsthand View Into The Story of Noah!
I loved this perspective! Makes you feel like you were there alongside Noah, building the ark and staying inside it. I’ve known this story for ages, and this book was still able to give me a new perspective.
I loved this perspective! Makes you feel like you were there alongside Noah, building the ark and staying inside it. I’ve known this story for ages, and this book was still able to give me a new perspective.
November 9, 2017
well written with amazing pictures that bring the account of Noah and the flood to life.
November 7, 2020
DONT MISS THE ARK. AMEN.
September 30, 2022
The art is intriguing. Regardless of position on new earth/old earth, the book could be used by either camp to either strengthen argument or expose fallacies depending on where you fall.
June 18, 2011
While this work is respectful of the Biblical text, it important to note that it is still historical fiction. Good historical fiction, but fiction nonetheless. I find the title itself off-putting. Why is it that people who hold to the absolute authority of Scripture have taken to titles that use the word *true* or *real* when using their imagination to enhance the Biblical text. If you or I want the *True* story of Noah's Ark, we should be reading our Bibles. Now that we have that out of the way...
Rich illustrations complement text that reverences the Biblical account while imagining what early man must have been like, the corruption of mankind, how Noah must have felt while building the ark, aspects of the project in which God may have supernaturally intervened ("The LORD would have made sure Noah was able to obtain everything he needed" pg 19), Noah's evangelistic efforts, the loading of the ark, what the passengers would have done on the ark, and what the ark's construction may have looked like. An article at the end talks about the size of the ark in relation to it's cargo.
The writing is somewhat clunky/ annoying. The text is a mix of "probably/ may have" with "undoubtedly/ must have" statements. This blend of humility with authoritarian language is bothersome. The authors also lean too heavily on the "God-made-everything-easy-for-Noah" idea. Just because God was supernaturally intervening doesn't mean it was smooth sailing for Noah. Recognizing the real challenges Noah must have faced (how to get enough wood?) doesn't indicate a lack of faith that God/ the Bible are accurate. Even today, God leads people to do amazing things, and they encounter real obstacles. It seems likely that there were times Noah didn't even know whether or not he'd be able to complete the task. Setting Noah's story up as a fairy tale that all turned out just like God said misses the opportunity for us to discuss our current struggles with our walk of faith.
That being said, when there aren't many books on a topic, it is easy to shine. The combination of text and illustration make a valuable contribution in challenging the reader to consider the real magnitude of the flood experience from the perspective of Noah and his family. Lets hope there are more books like this coming, and that they are able to attain a more satisfying presentation.
Rich illustrations complement text that reverences the Biblical account while imagining what early man must have been like, the corruption of mankind, how Noah must have felt while building the ark, aspects of the project in which God may have supernaturally intervened ("The LORD would have made sure Noah was able to obtain everything he needed" pg 19), Noah's evangelistic efforts, the loading of the ark, what the passengers would have done on the ark, and what the ark's construction may have looked like. An article at the end talks about the size of the ark in relation to it's cargo.
The writing is somewhat clunky/ annoying. The text is a mix of "probably/ may have" with "undoubtedly/ must have" statements. This blend of humility with authoritarian language is bothersome. The authors also lean too heavily on the "God-made-everything-easy-for-Noah" idea. Just because God was supernaturally intervening doesn't mean it was smooth sailing for Noah. Recognizing the real challenges Noah must have faced (how to get enough wood?) doesn't indicate a lack of faith that God/ the Bible are accurate. Even today, God leads people to do amazing things, and they encounter real obstacles. It seems likely that there were times Noah didn't even know whether or not he'd be able to complete the task. Setting Noah's story up as a fairy tale that all turned out just like God said misses the opportunity for us to discuss our current struggles with our walk of faith.
That being said, when there aren't many books on a topic, it is easy to shine. The combination of text and illustration make a valuable contribution in challenging the reader to consider the real magnitude of the flood experience from the perspective of Noah and his family. Lets hope there are more books like this coming, and that they are able to attain a more satisfying presentation.
June 30, 2011
This is an amazing book that will please both children and adults. The author uses Biblical background to tell the story of what Noah and his family must have experienced as they built the ark and prepared for GOD to bring rain on an earth that had never experienced rain before. This is an absolute must read for any one who believes in the literal Bible.
You can read a full review of this book at Examiner.com where I write about Christian fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-fic...
You can read a full review of this book at Examiner.com where I write about Christian fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-fic...
December 27, 2016
“The True Story of Noah's Ark” by Tom Dooley, Bill Looney (Illustrator)
“This book encompasses one of the oldest events in the history of the world.”
Genuine attempt to reconstruct the Biblical Flood story (based on the account recorded in Genesis 6-9) without the modern comic-style caricatures. Dimensional details. Wonderful illustrations.
- - -
“This book encompasses one of the oldest events in the history of the world.”
Genuine attempt to reconstruct the Biblical Flood story (based on the account recorded in Genesis 6-9) without the modern comic-style caricatures. Dimensional details. Wonderful illustrations.
- - -
August 23, 2012
a very interesting book! Gives alot more insight to how the ark really looked, and how the family and animals lived on the boat. Shows what it may have really looked like, shows how large it was, explains how it could fit all those animals for that long time.
June 22, 2015
The edition I read doesn't have a CD or pull-out spreads, but it is beautifully illustrated, none-the-less. There is the issue others have brought up of the speculative/fictional type of wording, but most of the time there is a helpful "may have" or "imagine with me" wording.
August 15, 2012
Excellent
November 16, 2012
Gorgeous artwork though I had issues with the dinosaurs being depicted as I don't believe they were saved by Noah's and his ark.
September 23, 2013
Excellent! We loved this book! Beautiful art and very well written. Comes with an audio CD that really brings it to life and helps one to imagine what it would've been like to be in Noah's shoes.
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December 26, 2014A nice reading challenge picture book that I so conveniently came across. I hate to say this, but it wasn't as exciting as the movie Noah with all the fallen angels. Ah well.
September 13, 2015
Listened to the audio while looking at the book for CC1 wk1
September 21, 2016
A Christmas gift from my children, Lydia, Abigail, Calvin, & Lincoln.
The art is beautiful and the story is true!
The art is beautiful and the story is true!
November 13, 2016
Beautifully illustrated retelling of the account from Genesis placed in the context of the entire Biblical narrative. Hardcover that includes an audiobook CD.
June 7, 2009
Awesome book -- I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews