Aardvarks, Disembark!

From the start, when readers discover this book's pages open vertically instead of horizontally, it's obvious that Jonas ( Color Dance ; Round Trip ) is bent on taking a different approach to the tale of Noah and the Ark. After a brief recap of the familiar Bible story, Noah takes a roll call (aardvarks to zebras) and discovers that there are still many animals waiting to disembark. Readers are then treated to 13 spreads devoted to the more exotic leftovers--such unusual creatures as aurochs and gerenuks, lechwes, peludos and urumutums. Although Jonas's lucid artwork is appealing and her concept intriguing, interest ultimately flags as the book becomes merely a listing, with only a tenuous story line to hold it together. Ages 4-up. (Oct.)