The Chameleon that Saved Noah's Ark

Starred review from March 7, 2016
Life on the ark keeps Noah and his family hopping, but he still cares about every creature on board, and the chameleons have him worried. “They’ve tried to feed them everything,” writes debut author Molchadsky, “seed and roots, nuts and fruits—but they refuse every dish.” Noah carries one of the chameleons around in hopes of finding out what pleases these finicky eaters, but it takes serendipity to reveal the answer: when the chameleon is inadvertently placed in close proximity to some worms that are spoiling the food stores, she sticks out her long, sticky tongue and “with a flick and a flash, she swallows both worms.” In her U.S. debut, Bergman uses Mediterranean-hued acrylics and a playful sense of composition to immerse readers in an ark that’s joyfully busy 24/7. Her Noah is an equally wonderful creation: a man with soulful eyes and boundless energy, an approachable patriarch of a multiracial family. There’s no mention of any deity in this version, but it’s easy to infer why Noah was entrusted with keeping the “wonders of nature” safe. Ages 5–8.

Starred review from March 1, 2016
In this charming extension of a well-known Bible story, Noah, Na'ama, and the family must discover what chameleons feed on. Translated from the Hebrew, the folk tale begins during the 40-day rainstorm as Noah and the family cheerfully brave the trying conditions. In a refreshing departure, Molchadsky chooses to highlight Noah's wife, Na'ama, in a central role, departing from so many retellings that relegate everyone but Noah to the background. The visually and warmly surprising multiethnic family, representing many shades and skin colors, attempts to keep the matching animals happy and well-fed yet are befuzzled by the two chameleons, who stare mournfully but do not eat. The mystery commences, sending the family searching throughout the seemingly limitless ark for a suitable meal for the wasting chameleons. Only when they realize that the fruit bins are threatened by worms do they come to a solution: "with a flick and flash," the chameleon takes care of both problems. Lightheartedly, Noah and Na'ama make sure to find space for even the worms to flourish, leaving readers to remember that "everything and everyone has a place under the sun." Bergman's folk-art-style paintings are colorful and textured, investing all the ark's passengers with great personality--even those worms. This delightful narrative balances respect for tradition with inviting, accessible storytelling; a very well-executed debut for children and an appealing addition to family reading time. (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Many picture books reveal how life on the ark presents challenges for Noah and his wife. They organize games and talent shows to reduce boredom and bickering in Tony Mitton's All Afloat on Noah's Boat and Peter Bently's A Lark in the Ark. They help restless animals sleep through the storm in Laura Sassi's Goodnight, Ark and Susan Campbell Bartoletti's Naamah and the Ark at Night. They even locate lost underwear in Smriti Prasadam-Halls's Elephant Pants. The dilemma in Molchadsky's tale centers on what to feed the finicky chameleons. Noah, Naama, and their sons work night and day to prepare and serve meals for the animals. Yet the chameleons grow ever thinner because they refuse anything Noah offers. When Naama discovers that worms have infested the fruit bins, one chameleon pops out her sticky tongue and gulps down the offenders. Two problems solved. The chameleons have plenty to eat, and the fruits and vegetables won't be spoiled. Noah carefully saves two of the worms, however, reminding his family that "everything and everyone has a place in the sun." Bergman employs a folk/primitive style in his acrylic illustrations with predominantly dark colors.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
Noah and his family care for and feed all the ark's passengers. But the chameleons refuse everything--until a worm infestation is discovered. Bergman subtly infuses a touch of racial justice (Noah has brown skin; his sons and wife vary in color) in her illustrations. With a happy ending about everyone finding what they need, this resplendent book celebrates the miracle of nature.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2016
Framed around the day-to-day activities of Noah and his family as they care for all the passengers on their ark, this endearing picture book is a circle-of-life narrative describing the diets of various mammals and birds. The problem, though, is that the chameleon pair refuses everything Noah offers them. No seeds. No greens. No fruit. It's not until a worm infestation is discovered that the family realizes what the chameleons like to eat. Bergman subtly infuses a touch of feminism (it is the female chameleon that shows the family the answer) and racial justice (Noah has brown skin, and his three sons and wife vary in color) in her illustrations. After an opening painting of the chaos and destruction caused by the great flood, the rest of the double-page spreads depict a utopia of contented animals and a loving family living together, all sharing equal time in the pictures. This resplendent book celebrates the miracle of nature, making the happy ending not about the end of a flood, but about everyone finding what they need. sarah hannah gomez

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)