ALL ABOARD THE ARK

Five double-page scenes and matter-of-fact text present the story of Noah and the flood.

While the author and illustrator wisely simplify the tale, the pacing feels rushed in this dry retelling. The cartoons, which look to be mixed-media in rich jewel tones, are playful and buoyant, though they are not particularly well-served by tactile elements embedded on each page. This “Finger Trail” feature is created by cutting out the top portion of the page to create an indentation and reveal a layer of patterned paper underneath. Readers are encouraged to feel animal footprints, oversized raindrops and the rainbow, among others. The designs on the touch-and-feel elements don’t really connect with what they are supposed to represent. Why would animal footprints be covered with polka-dots or the flight path of the dove have stripes and spots?

All in all, a muddled effort.