There's a Goblin on the Ark!

None of the animals can identify the strange sound that has woken them up. It doesn't sound like the owls, or the cows or even the pigeons. Then the rabbits discover---a goblin!  Frightened of this strange creature, the animals try everything to scare it away.

But when they hear the same strange sound coming from another part for the ark, they realize there are TWO goblins just searching for one another, and as they rally to help, create a feeling of safety for everyone on the ark through the stormy days.

Young children will love trying to help solve the mystery, imitate familiar animal sounds, and contrast them with the unfamiliar sound of a sweet-looking goblin, and join in as all the animals on the ark call to the goblin's partner so the two can be reunited. 

An end note for families explains the Jewish origin of goblins, the Jewish concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and the importance of both finding the similarities between ourselves and others, and accepting, even celebrating, our differences.

A gentle message of diversity and inclusion for young children, as well as a subtle nod to gender fluidity, makes this a most unusual and modern Noah's Ark story.

In this whimsical imagining of Noah’s Ark, the animals puzzle over a mysterious noise.

What could be making that “woooooo” sound? It’s not the owls or the cows or the pigeons; those “hoooooo,” “moooooo,” and “coooooo,” respectively. When the animals discover an adorable little green goblin, they immediately team up to drive the creature away. But soon they realize that the goblin is calling out to find their mate—the goblin is one of a pair, just like everyone else on the boat. The read-aloud–friendly text lends itself to a younger audience, with rhyming sounds and pleasant repetition. There’s even a brief exploration of the senses as the animals combat the goblin using bright lights, loud noises, and stinky odors (courtesy of the skunks). Halfway through, the story shifts to a narrative about the importance of helping strangers, no matter how different, as the animals work to unite the two goblins. The colorful cartoon animals and their emotive faces contribute to an overall coziness that bridges both halves of the tale. The illustrations depict one representative from almost every species pair with long eyelashes—an unnecessary hint of sexism. Though we’re told early on that Noah brought the animals onto the ark, no humans are seen, and the story contains no overt biblical references. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A gentle, accessible take on Noah’s Ark laced with a message of acceptance. (author’s note) (Religious picture book. 2-5)  --Kirkus Reviews