DUBUC, Marianne. The Animals’ Ark. illus. by Marianne Dubuc. 96p. Kids Can. Apr. 2016. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781771386234. 

PreS-Gr 1 –A little rain never hurt anyone, until a little rain turns into a lot of rain, and a lot of rain turns into a flood. Stranded animals despair before they spy an odd sea creature in the distance. A whale? An octopus? No—it’s a kind man with a boat. And not just any boat, an ark! This familiar biblical story takes a secular twist as the animals board in pairs and find creative and playful ways to pass the time together. Ladybugs become dominos, elephant trunks become swings, and everyone avoids sitting too closely to the thorny hedgehogs. Dubuc’s simple but expressive colored pencils create an imaginative and water-filled world. The brief sentences and text will appeal to early readers, who will also enjoy decoding words and phrases from the amusing and lively illustrations. VERDICT This take on Noah’s ark will be an excellent addition to any collection for emerging readers.–Maria Alegre, The Dalton School, New York City