In The Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin

In The Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin Illustrated by Earl & Bonita Snellenberger Hardback: 80 pages Publisher: MasterBooks First Released: 1996

Source: From my personal library.

Book Description, my take:
Noah and his sons faithfully build the Ark in a society that is filled with violence and corruption and that has many similarities with our own. The story follows Noah's family as they build the Ark, his sons find wives, Noah tells the people about the coming judgment, and they all face danger and scorn from those around them. By the time the animals come, Noah's family has angered many people and a mob heads out to burn the Ark with Noah's family in it!

The story portrays what life might have been like before the Flood, what the Ark might have been like (including how the animals would have been feed and cared for), and shows what life might have been like right after the Flood.

At the back of the book, the author answers 47 questions about the Flood and the Ark, ranging from questions about the geologic column and fossils to how the animals all fit on the Ark.


Review:
In The Days of Noah is an exciting tale for ages 8-12 based on the Bible's account of Noah and the Flood. The story stayed true to what is given in the Bible, but the author also filled out the story with details. Each page had a realistic-style, full-color illustration of the events happening in the text. However, it's not a picture book--there's a lot of text on each page.

The story flowed smoothly. The author wove in the details about what life might have been like before the Flood, how the sons found their wives, how Noah's family was able to care for the animals on the Ark, and such, without slowing the pacing or forcing the action to illustrate some point.

I gave this book to my teen reviewer when she was 10 years old. Several months ago (when she was still 12 years old), we pulled it out to read and she lit up with excitement. She kept telling us what was going to happen next as we read it (including remembering all of the character's names) and was practically bouncing on the couch. So kids will enjoy the story, want to read it again and again, and remember it fondly.

After the story, there was a nonfiction part that answered a number of questions the reader might have about the Flood and the Ark. It's written at a level that kids can understand and used questions they're likely to ask. Adults might want to read this section or refer their children to it when their kids start asking questions inspired by the story.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this book as well-written, exciting reading.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt from Part One
Noah watched his sons bringing the elephants in for the noon break. He was proud of the fine men they were becoming. Lately, Noah often thought of his sons--and of the years ahead which he knew would be difficult for all of them. Fortunately, his was a close family, bound by their love of God and for each other. They would need the strength provided by these bonds.


Shem, the tallest of the three brothers, looked up and saw their father waiting for them under the shade tree on the rise. It was a rare treat for Noah to meet with his sons during the day. The family lands and business required much of his time.

Shem, Ham, and Japheth quickly dismounted their elephants and hurried to Noah. The day had grown unusually warm, and they were almost as eager to get in the shade as they were to see their father. They knew Noah had brought the noon meal with him. The three raced to see who could reach their father--and the food--first.

[Note: a picture shows the sons riding the elephants and directing them to move large logs around and into piles.]