Goodnight, Ark

Sassi's debut offers a fun twist to the oft-told story of Noah's ark. After boarding the ark, the animals, frightened by the storm, clamber two by two into Noah's bed. Short, dramatic rhymes full of onomatopoeic words and ellipses build suspense: "Crash! Boom! Rumble! Thunder quakes./ Wakes the... ELEPHANTS AND SNAKES!/ Thump, stomp, slither, up they scurry./ Curl by Noah in a hurry." With animals all piled in one room, the ark tips, and Noah's bed breaks, terrifying the skunks with humorously stinky repercussions. From this chaotic apex, Noah restores calm: "Softly, Noah starts to croon/ a soothing, sleepy nighttime tune." Chapman's (Bear Snores On) paintings in hues of brown, orange, and blue capture the story's manic energy and playful tone. A scene of Noah snoozing soundly while boars burrow under his red patchwork quilt, quail fly, sheep leap around the room, lightning zigzags outside his window, and the skunks sleep peacefully under his bed creates anticipation of the frenzied drama to unfold. A fresh addition to the crowded shelf of Noah's ark books. Ages 4%E2%80%938. (Aug.)