Naamah and the Ark at Night

As Noah's wife sings the animals to sleep, an age-old tale is told afresh in a soothing poetic form brought to life with beautiful collage illustrations. Naamah is the wife of Noah, and her name means "great singer." For forty days and forty nights, as the ark tosses on storm-wracked seas, Naamah sings. She sings to the animals, two by two. She sings to her husband, her sons, and their wives. She sings, and they all sleep, finally at peace. Acclaimed author Susan Campbell Bartoletti's rhythmic, lyrical text pairs with Caldecott Honor winner Holly Meade's luminous collage for a cozy, tender lullaby, and an ode to the power of song.

Susan Campbell Bartoletti has written many celebrated books for children, including the Newbery Honor–winning Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow. She wrote Naamah and the Ark at Night in a strict but exquisite poetic form: the ancient middle-eastern ghazal. Susan Campbell Bartoletti lives in Pennsylvania.

Holly Meade has illustrated many picture books, including David Elliott’s On the Farm and In the Wild, as well as the Caldecott Honor–winning Hush! A Thai Lullaby and its follow-up, Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek, both written by Minfong Ho.Holly Meade lives in Maine.