We're All in the Same Boat by Zachary R. Shapiro, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Things aren't going very well on Noah's ark. The animals thought they were in for a great adventure, but as days turn into weeks and the rain just doesn't stop, Noah fi nds himself with a boatload of cranky travelers—from antsy ants and bored bees to yelling yaks and zoned-out zebras. They're going to have to learn to cooperate in order to save this voyage, and Noah has just the right words to bring everyone together.

Brought to life by Jack E. Davis's uproarious illustrations, this witty and heartwarming alphabetical play on the Noah's ark tale makes for the perfect rainy-day read-aloud.

Children's Literature

In this retelling of his story, Noah builds an ark to protect the animals when it keeps on raining. At first, all are happy about the trip. But after a while, things start to disintegrate aboard the ark. Shapiro runs down the alphabet describing the problems with the passengers from the "antsy ants" and the "bored bees" through the "kicking kangaroos" and "obnoxious orangutans" to the "worried worms" and the "zoned-out zebras." It takes Noah's loud holler that "[w]e're all in the same boat!" to make the animals quiet down and think. Then, through the alphabet we go again, as the ants apologize and the bees behave, all the way to the zebras catching their zzzzz's. And "the ark sailed on with a promise of peace." From the moment we see Davis's zany cover illustration of the ark overloaded with pairs of anthropomorphic creatures we know we are in for a comic cruise. Some carry umbrellas and some play instruments while others engage in conversations or simply gaze out over the rails at the rough seas and lightning-lit skies. Inside, we find close-ups of some of the cartoonish passengers dancing or producing music while others, such as the hyenas, are grossly amused. The spirit is of happy times; the hope for peace is evident. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2

For the first few days after they board the ark to escape the heavy rain, the animals enjoy the novelty of the voyage. However, as weeks pass, tempers start to flare, and an alphabetic litany of animals and their grievances begins. Camels complain, kangaroos kick, yaks yell, and the rest of the passengers contribute to the miserable atmosphere. Finally, Noah calls a halt to the uproar with a resounding shout to remind the creatures that they have to get along on a crowded boat. The next pass through the alphabet is much more congenial. Iguanas invite jaguars to jam. Quails quote rhymes with rabbits at a penguin party. In short, spirits improve considerably. Davis's hilarious illustrations of the facial expressions and actions of the various animals add to the liveliness and humor. Lots of interactions occur simultaneously, giving readers much to explore visually. Aside from the basic premise of Noah and a huge assortment of animals, there's little relation to the familiar Bible tale. Shapiro has crafted a humorous alphabet story with an underlying message of cooperation-a winning combination.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Kirkus Reviews

The animals pile into the Ark, two by two, bringing along their umbrellas, rain hats and take-out pizza for the journey. As the difficulties of the voyage become apparent, an alphabetical accounting of the animals' adversities ensues, from the antsy ants and bored bees right on to the worried worms and the zoned-out zebras. When Noah bellows out the titular phrase, the animals have a change of heart, and another alphabetical listing evolves, describing positive actions that benefit the group instead of complaints. This version of the biblical tale does not include any mention of God or the reasons behind the flood, focusing simply on the animals and the turnaround in group dynamics. Davis's illustrations provide clever details-the animal duos sport clothing and accessories-and expressive faces convey the animals' emotions. Noah's Ark stories are as plentiful as starfish in the sea, but this offering from a first-time author has something new to say: Cooperation and support in tough times can keep a boatload of buddies afloat. (Picture book/religion. 4-7)

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