Prayer for the Earth: The Story of Naamah, Noah's Wife

I read this book several years ago, when I didn't have children yet. I was studying botany as an undergrad, and I am still studying botany in my PhD program. I found a wonderful inspiration in this book about Noah's wife, gathering the seeds as Noah gathers the animals. People often forget that the plants around them are creatures, too. Plants shape our world and are necessary for life, just as much as animals. Naamah, as the wife of Noah, is given this important, life-sustaining task, and she succeeds in her mission. Beautiful book. Now that I have my own child, she loves to read it(and look at the pictures), too. I highly recommend this book. It is well-written and superbly illustrated.

The Story of Naamah tells of Noah's wife's contribution to the Ark. In this beautifully illustrated book, while Noah is gathering the animals, Naamah is gathering all the seeds. It is a wonderfully intentional tale, ripe with meaning and purpose. I am a childless twentysomething hethan. I read this children's story, and I found myself really appreciating the beauty of religious storytelling. I would imagine some people would get their panties in a knot about this tale, because it is not taken directly from any religious texts. It is simply an inclusive way to explore biblical concepts. It is designed to get kids (especially girls, who can often feel neglected in the patriarchal world of Judeo-Christian monotheism) excited about God and the wonders of the Earth. I can't think of a better harmony. At the end of the book, the author, a rabbi, explains the impetus behind the story, as well as the meaning of the name Naamah. The author had to create a name because Noah's wife is simply "Noah's wife" and lacks a name in the religious texts. This is an incredible book, especially for people who want their children to use their imaginations and get excited about the world around them.

Winner of the Publishers Weekly "Best Book" award, A Prayer For The Earth: The Story Of Naamah, Noah's Wife is a gentle and entertaining children's picturebook retelling of the story of Noah's Ark... but from the perspective of Noah's wife! The engaging text by Sandy Esignberg Sasso is enhanced with simple yet brightly colored paintings by Bethanne Anderson in this wonderful and recommended story of survival, love, and faith in God.

I bought this book as church librarian for inclusion in our library. I was looking for any books about women in the Bible, especially ones who took progressive, independent steps to obey God and save the world. War is not the only way to save civilization. Noah's wife is never named in the Bible as far as I know, (she's not Joan of ARK!), so I found it a comfort and pleasure to read about the woman who helped save humankind and is never mentioned much in the story of the flood. She certainly had a lot to do to get ready for this flood--she didn't just sit on her noodle as the Bible seems to imply. In this story Noah's wife, Naamah, is put in charge by God of saving samples of every sort of seed, plant, shrub and tree that grows on the earth. Only through her can the assurance of a green earth be fulfllled. I really like this idea. The illustrations are lovely, freely done and colorful, often slanted in such as way as to give movement to the story. The feeling they give is, "be thorough, but hurry, a storm's on the way! If you do your job your precious earth will be saved!" On each page is a little logo from the previous page of the story to create continuity. This is a further nice touch. I would suggest this book to you if you are looking for Bible stories about girls and women for your own boy or girl, if you are interested in enviormental issues or science issues especially as they apply to girls. Here Naamah is definitely seen as a botanist obeying God's call. A nice book from Jewish Lights publishing. If the author reads this review could she tell us where she found the information for the story. Perhaps she found it in Jewish literature or folklore not readily available to Christians. Just wondering. I found it a delightful book which can give girls a reason to be proud of their religious heritage and their struggle to assume a rightful place in it, whatever creed they follow. Great job, Sandy Sasso!