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Noah's Cats and the Devil's Fire
A retelling of a traditional Romanian tale in which the devil turns out to be the most troublesome passenger on Noah's ark
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1992
15 people want to read
About the author
Arielle North Olson
13 books9 followersArielle North Olson is an author of children's books.
Arielle is the daughter of noted author Sterling North, who wrote Rascal. She is also the niece of author, poet, and editor Jessica Nelson North. She is one of the copyright owners of Sterling North's body of work. She now has 3 children and 7 grandchildren, and is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.
Arielle is from a multi-generation literary family. Arielle's great-grandparents, James Hervey Nelson and Sarah Orelup Nelson, were Wisconsin pioneers. In 1917, which would have been her great-grandfather James Hervey Nelson's 100th birthday, three of her great-uncles, including early Amazon missionary Justus Henry Nelson, wrote extended biographies about their parents and their pioneer farm life. These writing efforts may have been a literary inspiration to both her father, Sterling, and her aunt, Jessica.
Arielle is the daughter of noted author Sterling North, who wrote Rascal. She is also the niece of author, poet, and editor Jessica Nelson North. She is one of the copyright owners of Sterling North's body of work. She now has 3 children and 7 grandchildren, and is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.
Arielle is from a multi-generation literary family. Arielle's great-grandparents, James Hervey Nelson and Sarah Orelup Nelson, were Wisconsin pioneers. In 1917, which would have been her great-grandfather James Hervey Nelson's 100th birthday, three of her great-uncles, including early Amazon missionary Justus Henry Nelson, wrote extended biographies about their parents and their pioneer farm life. These writing efforts may have been a literary inspiration to both her father, Sterling, and her aunt, Jessica.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 23, 2023
The cover for this book is quite gorgeous and honestly pays tribute to a creature that is normally tied in cahoots with the Devil while the bane of early Christian beliefs. As such I was excited to add this book to my read list and see whether the cats would prove themselves heroes or villains.
In Noah's Cats and the Devil's Fire the reader is introduced by the author to the fact that the Devil was never mentioned as being on Noah's Ark in the original Bible and as such the book also doesn't hold factually since not all the animals came in two-by-two. But even overlooking these tweaks the reader will find themselves in an intriguing how-to story from the wilds of Rumania (Romania).
The story starts off with the Devil demanding passage but being denied as Noah rejects him with the protective support of his two kitties. Although this attempt is followed by a more successful invasion not unseen by those same cats who attempt to make a step he is too wily and vanishes in the depth of the ark while only venturing forth when he can to make mischief. The Devil and Noah's nonchalant responses form the majority of the tail while the cats seem to flick in and out as cats are known for doing so but when push-comes-to-shove they are right where they need to be.
My husband was just as interested in the telling of this story while it stirred up a nice response for a first-time told story between the two of us. But although this is provided as a children's book format I would caution many readers who have sensitive children to judge the book's illustrations before actually sharing those since they can be darkly disturbing as if they were taken from a time in which monsters really did lurk that were not human.
Furthermore the illustrations are so-so for me. In keeping with the dark tune of the story the illustrations are heavily dark in color with details being almost unseen to the eye unless one studies them closely. Meanwhile there are a few that seem to outdo one another such a the cover art and the two adorably vague but beady-eyed mice looking out at the reader.
In the end it will most definitely be one of those Christian how-to stories that will stand out to any readers who are interested in those types of legend whether you believe in them or not.
In Noah's Cats and the Devil's Fire the reader is introduced by the author to the fact that the Devil was never mentioned as being on Noah's Ark in the original Bible and as such the book also doesn't hold factually since not all the animals came in two-by-two. But even overlooking these tweaks the reader will find themselves in an intriguing how-to story from the wilds of Rumania (Romania).
The story starts off with the Devil demanding passage but being denied as Noah rejects him with the protective support of his two kitties. Although this attempt is followed by a more successful invasion not unseen by those same cats who attempt to make a step he is too wily and vanishes in the depth of the ark while only venturing forth when he can to make mischief. The Devil and Noah's nonchalant responses form the majority of the tail while the cats seem to flick in and out as cats are known for doing so but when push-comes-to-shove they are right where they need to be.
My husband was just as interested in the telling of this story while it stirred up a nice response for a first-time told story between the two of us. But although this is provided as a children's book format I would caution many readers who have sensitive children to judge the book's illustrations before actually sharing those since they can be darkly disturbing as if they were taken from a time in which monsters really did lurk that were not human.
Furthermore the illustrations are so-so for me. In keeping with the dark tune of the story the illustrations are heavily dark in color with details being almost unseen to the eye unless one studies them closely. Meanwhile there are a few that seem to outdo one another such a the cover art and the two adorably vague but beady-eyed mice looking out at the reader.
In the end it will most definitely be one of those Christian how-to stories that will stand out to any readers who are interested in those types of legend whether you believe in them or not.
May 30, 2017
Medieval view of Satan (horns, hooves, pointy tail), and some extra-biblical details. Noah is either a doofus or intentionally naive so as to spoil the devil's fun. Still, an entertaining fable about why cats' eyes glow today. The dark but richly colored illustrations set the mood well.
Author's note: There is no devil aboard the biblical Noah's Ark (Genesis 6–8), but the devil is Noah's most troublesome passenger in this Rumanian folktale. Noah's Cats and the Devil's Fire grew out of a variation of the Noah story found in Rumanian Bird and Beast Stories by M. Gaster (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1915).
Author's note: There is no devil aboard the biblical Noah's Ark (Genesis 6–8), but the devil is Noah's most troublesome passenger in this Rumanian folktale. Noah's Cats and the Devil's Fire grew out of a variation of the Noah story found in Rumanian Bird and Beast Stories by M. Gaster (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1915).
March 1, 2018
Copyright:1992
Number of Pages: Unknown
Book Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 6 & up
Genre: Traditional
Lit. Requirement: Traditional #1
Summary:
This is based on a Romanian legend about how the devil tried to board the ark and cause trouble to Noah, and how the cats saved the ark from sinking. It also gives the reason why cats eyes glow in the dark.
Response:
I love this story because it had cats in it. I love the pictures which were done in watercolors. The pictures are dark and gives a dreary feeling. It is also an interesting why to explain about cats eyes and why they glow in the dark. I would recommend this book.
Number of Pages: Unknown
Book Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 6 & up
Genre: Traditional
Lit. Requirement: Traditional #1
Summary:
This is based on a Romanian legend about how the devil tried to board the ark and cause trouble to Noah, and how the cats saved the ark from sinking. It also gives the reason why cats eyes glow in the dark.
Response:
I love this story because it had cats in it. I love the pictures which were done in watercolors. The pictures are dark and gives a dreary feeling. It is also an interesting why to explain about cats eyes and why they glow in the dark. I would recommend this book.
April 4, 2022
Childrens' book with Old Testament themes. It was enjoyable, even for a crusty old fart like me. I am expecting a grandson soon, so I thought I should start a book recon to see if I can rustle up some interesting material to get the kid into using his nugget.
September 26, 2011
Attribution of the story to a Romanian folktale is given on the front flap, but also is included in the summary on the title page verso. The author’s note cites written sources for the story as well. This is a story which I had never heard before. It explains why cats eyes glow in the dark and why their fur will give off sparks when they are petted. From the front cover to the last picture, the illustrations in this book are phenomenal; a little too scary for young children perhaps, but truly impressive.
July 10, 2008
A library patron complained that this book scared her 6-year old, so I read it. It does have some scary pictures. Really, it's parental responsibility to screen your kids' books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews