When Noah’s parents build a huge boat in the backyard to house his wide array of pets, he worries the animals will forget him. Instead, Noah learns a positive lesson about the power of friendship and adapting to new situations.
Noah Zark loves his many pets, from goats and penguins to giraffes and pigs. Whenever Noah wants to play, there’s always an animal pal nearby to join in the fun.
Unfortunately, that means the Zarks’ house is very crowded. Noah’s parents come up with a clever plan to handle their animal overload – they build a giant boat (a la Noah’s ark) in the backyard for the animals to share.
That’s when Noah starts to worry. When his pets move into their new home, will they forget about him and never want to play?
Noah Zark shows young readers that while we may worry about change, new experiences can be fun and exciting. A change may be just what we need to make our lives more enjoyable, simpler, and yes, maybe even a little less crowded.
Filled with bright, joyful illustrations, this endearing picture book about a boy who loves animals – and the animals who love him – sends a positive message about the power of creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt and grow with the help of those we care about most.
Noah Zark is a creative, modern retelling of the classic Noah’s Ark story that very thinly resembles its source material with no religious undertones. Instead, it creates an entirely new conflict, message, and resolution that is kid friendly and fun to read. Noah is an outcast who is only interested in hanging out with animals. Normally, this type of story’s message would be to teach kids to connect with their own kind and introduce a human friend for Noah to spend time with. Instead, it leans into his interests and doesn’t strip him of his passions or preferred company.
It’s Noah’s parents who have the real conflict of their son’s friends destroying their house. However, their solution is a compromise that doesn’t deny their son of his friends but just provides enough of a separation that they don’t feel so intruded upon in their own home.
Unlike the biblical story, there’s no flood or any other apocalyptic event that creates any high stakes, life or death situations. Instead, it’s a gentle learning opportunity for Noah to learn about change and that true friends won’t abandon you.
I recommend Noah Zark to readers ranging from pre-school to early elementary school. It’s a fun book with a full story, fun illustrations, and particularly geared towards animal lovers. It shows kids that it’s sometimes necessary to give a new way of life a chance. Your closest relationships can endure any change, and it can even help you to grow closer to them.
It’s not the ark you expect. It’s the story of a big-hearted boy named Noah who loves all animals. His parents support him and his friends by building a boat, Zark-style, for this diverse group of companions. Beautifully illustrated, this book may help kindle a child’s appreciation for animals and might just spark a young imagination about the ways to care for pets and the creation.
