The Other Ark

The story of Noah and the flood has been the inspiration for a good many ark stories and now Dodd has created this hilarious rhyming variation. Herein a foresightful Noah, confronted by the surfeit of animals, calls upon the assistance of his friend, Sam Jam Balu. Leaving him behind in charge of his number 2 ark and the overflow, Noah hoists anchor and sets sail. Sam Jam Balu, ‘A1 efficient’ confidently and knowingly sets to work gathering his load: hip-hopping hippos, candy-striped camels, flying flapdoodles and alligatigers are just a few of the left-overs he shoves, heaves and cajoles aboard. All the while the water is receding and when he finally pulls up the gangplank ark 2 is well and truly stuck.

The text is a positive delight to read aloud and audiences will relish the anticlimactic ending. It’s clear that the author has had tremendous fun with both verbal and visual elements of the tale creating this Lear-like menagerie.