We're All in the Same Boat

by Zachary Shapiro, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

Things aren?t going very well on Noah?s ark. The animals thought they were in for a great adventure, but as days turn into weeks and the rain just doesn?t stop, Noah fi nds himself with a boatload of cranky travelers?from antsy ants and bored bees to yelling yaks and zoned-out zebras. They?re going to have to learn to cooperate in order to save this voyage, and Noah has just the right words to bring everyone together. Brought to life by Jack E. Davis?s uproarious illustrations, this witty and heartwarming alphabetical play on the Noah?s ark tale makes for the perfect rainy-day read-aloud.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amory Blaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book assumes its audience knows the story of Noah's Ark and the expression "we're all in the same boat." It opens without introduction, takes a single sentence to settle the conflict, and ends the story with no other resolution. Why are all these animals on an ark in a flood that's lasted weeks? Who is the sole human aboard the boat? How did they get there, and will they ever leave the ark? These questions aren't answered, because the aim of the book seems to be alliteration. The author describes the trapped animals' discontent alphabetically, building the tension until a frustrated Noah explodes without explanation, "We're all in the same boat!" Which is, of course, obviously true, whether you know this Bible story or the double meaning of that phrase. Immediately, the animals calm down, and their change of heart is documented in the same alphabetical alliteration as before. A-Z, the animals aboard the ark pitch in to make their floating home more habitable, hence creating "a promise of peace" even without a clear resolution.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy books that use the alphabet for descriptions. "The ants were antsy. The bees were bored... The zebras were zoned-out." Each page was filled with expressions and details that begged to be studied. And Noah yelled, "We're all in the same boat!" Then... "The ants apologized and the bees behaved... The zebras crawled into bed to catch their zzzzz's." It might be fun to have readers tell of other adjectives for the same animals, or include other animals and their corresponding adjectives. I enjoyed this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The low star rating is mostly cuz of bible credibility. This book definitely goes against the Bible story. I understand the concept of using Noah's ark for an adjective/animal alphabet book, but don't take away from the story

[Caroline Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a fun way to incorporate the alphabet into a book. Each animal was doing a task that started with the same letter as their name and usually it can get boring to read alphabet books but this one was entertaining as every page was very detailed.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and clever illustrations introduce animals and the alphabet.

[Collin Duax]

I like this book because it is a good overall story. The mice ride in the boat.

[Kristina Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute way to work on the alphabet if you have little ones. I loved the illiteration throughout and really the artwork was fantastic.

[Emma D · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are used to signify the growing tension until it finally breaks and then the skies are clear.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2 year old boy loved it. I just didn't like that the title and key book scene is a bad dad joke.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are dozens of books written for children about Noah, the flood that destroyed the earth and the animals that took refuge on the ark. There are also plenty of alphabet books written on various topics to introduce children to the ABCs. "We're All in the Same Boat" by Zachary R. Shapiro and Jack E. Davis is one more book that would easily fit into both of those categories.

This colorfully illustrated book will entertain both readers and those still just interested in looking at the pictures. The cartoon-like pictures feature animals wearing clothes, carrying umbrellas and enjoying cups of hot cocoa. The text dances across the pages at all sorts of angles and each letter of the alphabet is in bold-face type at the beginning of each animals name. More in-depth than many alphabet books, this ABC book provides a charming story to go along with the twenty-six letters that make up the English alphabet.

Read more of this review:

http://www.examiner.com/review/review...

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amusing picture book of Noah and the flood that's also an alphabet book. When Noah loads all the animals onto his ark, they're excited. After a few days at sea, however, they're not so happy about it, the "ants were antsy, the bees were bored . . . " etc, through the alphabet. Finally, Noah has enough and exclaims "We're all in the same boat!" The animals realize their predicament could be more pleasant if they all worked together productively, so there's another alphabetical list of all the ways the animals help out. It's a cute idea with a good message on how our own method of dealing with a situation can change it. Illustrations are cartoony and comical, which works well with the text.

Overall, I look forward to trying this as a read-aloud for my library kids.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're All in the Same Boat is a story of Noah's Ark. Many children may know this story from Sunday School or church attendance, but those without a Judeo-Christian background will also find something to enjoy in this book. The book makes no mention of the Bible or religion, and, in my opinion, this makes the book accessible to more readers (and it gives me license to read it aloud in my public elementary school library).

The illustrations in this book, while engaging, were a little "busy." It was sometimes difficult to determine which animals in the picture the text referred to.

At it's heart, this book is an ABC book about how people behave when they get frustrated and how they work together when they realize they're not so different after all.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're All in the Same Boats tells the story of Noah and his ark in a kid-friendly way with the alphabet recognition in the background. It is not until Noah gets steamed at the dogs who are demanding, the organutans who are obnoxious and the yaks who are yelling...when he hollers, "We're all in the same boat". Silence ensues, the animals get sheepish, and attitudes are adjusted. Then, the dogs are diligent, the orangutans organize their toys, and the yaks start yawning. Colorful, giggle-inducing illustrations accompany these animal antics. A great storytime book for an alphabet, animal or ark program.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute spin on the classic story of Noah's Ark shows it's young readers that sometimes it's best to work together in a group after recognizing differences and using it to make a situation better. The adventure Noah and the animals go through are summed up by the central quote that carries the book that is "We're all in the same boat!" Zachary Shapiro takes the opportunity of a classic story to create a lesson learned as well as incorporating language that will engage it's readers, as well as strong illustrations that are also associated with the language. Very multifaceted and engaging read for elementary aged children! This story falls into the juvenile fiction or fiction genre.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you think the animals on Noah's Ark were calm and patient? Think again! In this delightful book the animals are frustrated and angry after they've been on the ark so long--until Noah reminds them that "We're all in the same boat!" Shapiro plays with the alphabet to describe the animals and their actions/feelings ("The elephants were enraged." "The penguins held a party.") and Davis's illustrations humorously convey the chaos on the ark.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Noah rounds up the animals and they are all excited about their voyage. After awhile, the excitement fades and his passengers start to get grumpy -- camels complain, kangaroos kick, yaks yell, etc. Noah puts his foot down and yells "We're All In The Same Boat!!" and it starts to change the attitudes of those on board. "The camels were cooperative, the dogs were diligent, and the elephants were enthusiastic."

Wonderful story with beautiful illustrations

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An A-Z story about what inevitably happens when you cram a bunch of animals on a boat for months at a time. Everyone gets cranky, until eventually Noah yells "We're all in the same boat!" Both my boys love to yell that part. I've come to use that saying whenever I'm getting really frustrated with my boys. A fun book with a good message, to remember we're all in this boat together, and things go a lot better when everyone tries to be positive.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week.

This was a cute, if not spectacular book. It does a good job with an alphabetical story, although Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty is superior. And it is a fun twist on the Noah story.

The illustrations are extremely cartoony, almost to the point of Sandra Boynton illustrations. It's not my favorite style, but it works OK.


Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I round up.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with wonderful illustrations by Jack E. Davis, Zachary Shapiro's "We're all in the same boat" gives us another fun spin on the classic biblical story of Noah's Ark. Kids (3-6 yrs.) will love the alliteration in the stories and all of the funky pictures of the animals--a perfect accompaniment to alphabet learning!

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the animals are excited for a trip on the ark until time begins to drag on and the animals become enraged, jittery, and livid. Noah reminds that animals that they are all in the same boat and then the animals are cooperative, merry, and neighborly. Bright, fun illustrations add interest and humor to the story.

I enjoyed the alliteration of the animals feelings and actions. Fun book!

[Marfita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming story with alphabet thrown in (but not what a parent would consider an alphabet book - one to teach the alphabet) made more charming with Jack E. Davis's lively cartoon illustrations. It also addresses behaviors that any child (but especially parent) would recognize in the back seat of a car.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second-best children's book about Noah's Ark, this one is a silly tale about how the animals get restless during the long trip... and the animals are listed in alphabetical order! AND, Shapiro is a Rabbi!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most fun alphabet books I've ever run across. It goes through each animal and how they are feeling being on the ark for so long and then how realizing they're all in it together, how their feelings change.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for 2-5 year olds who love animals. Totally non-religious telling of the Noah's ark story to highlight the alphabet. Example: The Moose were Mouthing off... The Nightingales were Nagging... The Orangutans were Obnoxious...." Goofy illustrations.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have and I highly recommend. The story of Noah is used. The animals are getting a little testy on the ark. Noah reminds them, "We're All in the Same Boat." Alliteration is used and makes for a clever little read.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the animals perspective of their time on Noahs arch. The book has really amazing pictures and a lot of good words that go with the animal. For example (The orangutans were Obnoxious)

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art and humor here have a bit of a Borscht Belt flavor--and they really work. Lots of fun, especially for school age kids.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boo got a Noah's Ark little people set for christmas and we have been on a "Noah" kick every since. She loves stories about him and this is one of our favs.

[Arapahoe Libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great lesson, good story and funny cute pictures. But are the illustrations unique enough for Caldecott consideration?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little story about Noahs Ark. It has some great vocabulary words and works as an alphabet book. Though the Alphabet is a tool this would in no way teach the ABC's to anyone. Ages 4+