Noah's Ark (Zwerger)

Lisbeth Zwerger tops my list of favorite illustrators because of books like this one. After years of enduring boring illustrations of folks in proper "biblical" clothes calmly standing by as animals filed silently onto a rectangular ark, the story was made completely new to me by this lovely book. Nothing here is typical. There's a sense of urgency to the paintings, and the dark clouds lower as the family, bundled in Eastern European-looking clothes, hurries onto the boat. In one painting, the wind whips around unicorn galloping by. A faun hurries through the rain, looking for shelter. It's unexpected little details like these that make Zwerger's art so dear, and make the story of Noah's ark not just one of those old tales, but something alive and intriguing.

A more traditional Noah's Ark Book, this one concentrates more on the animals, and the caring heart of Noah. The illustrations are what make the book unusual and beautiful. The images are typical of the very old images found in old children books from Australia and Britain. The words are perfect and sparse, but with meaning and interest. Children will love the illustrations and thought behind Noah's Ark. Gorgeous book, a must read.