Why Dogs Have Wet Noses

In an unorthodox retelling of Noah's Ark that also works as a Kiplingesque "Just So" story, Steven and Torseter recast Noah as a bearded hipster in rain boots and the Ark as a sort of floating Brooklyn artists' loft. Torseter's scraggly ink drawings, embellished with mint and citrus tones, offer cutaway views of the Ark that show the animals hunkered down in their bunks, playing cards, reading books, and chowing down on fried chicken. When the Ark springs a leak, Noah spots a quick fix, plugging the hole with the nose of his trusty dog (the problem solved, the other animals pull out musical instruments and vinyl records to throw a celebratory dance party). Steven's droll text takes a backseat to the visual storylines unfolding among the animals. Once the Ark hits land, Noah rescues his dog, and "from then on, every dog in the world would have a wet nose." It's a nifty combination of a biblical tale and a canine trait, but it's the humorous details of life aboard the Ark that are most likely to captivate readers. Ages 3%E2%80%935. (July)