Sunday, March 8, 2015

Book Review: Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark. Linda Falken. Illustrated by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2015. (April 2015) Harry N. Abrams. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

It came to pass, when people began to multiply on the face of the earth, God saw that their wickedness was great and their thoughts were evil. And the Lord said, "I will destroy every thing that I have created from the face of the earth, both humans and beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 
But among the people, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 
And God said to Noah, "Build an ark of wood, for I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth, and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But you shall go into the ark with your wife, and your sons, and your sons' wives. 

This book is a beautifully illustrated adaptation of Noah's Ark. (The story of Noah can be found in Genesis 6 - 9.)

The introduction reads, "Artists, too, have long been fascinated by the imagery in the tale of Noah and the Great Flood. This book from the Metropolitan Museum of Art features works of art from the fifteenth century to the present day. In a range of media, from tapestries to engravings to paintings, the artists have captured both the fear and the hope inherit in this well-loved parable."

Though I disagree with the idea that Noah's ark is "a parable", I had to review this one here at Operation Actually Read Bible because it is so fascinating and beautiful. (Aside from the introduction, there is nothing in the text telling readers that it's a made-up story. And the introduction is not something to share with young readers anyway.)

The text itself is straightforward. I liked it very much.

The credits for the illustrations is thorough and fascinating in its own way. The book features the work of many artists. Descriptions of all works of art and brief biographies of artists are included. If you enjoy art at all, then this one is worth seeking out.

This book is good for sharing with little ones, but, it can prove equally interesting for adults as well.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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