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Times Educational Supplement
March 2005
A Chapter a Day
Michael Thorn

Noah's Rocket is a far-fetched, highly readable reworking of the Noah and the flood story. The modern Mr Noah escapes the flood in a rocket, and it's not a dove sent out to see if the waters have subsided, but a spider.

The jacket suggests using the story in RE. I would expect lively debate on a number of levels, from "How would Stanley the spider have been able to project himself in and out of the earth's atmosphere when on his reconnoitring expeditions?" to "Why was it the female animals that were being offered as free gifts by the Largest Pet Shop In The World?"

London Diocesan Board for Schools
May 2006
Book Reviews

RE Today Spring Term Edition
Jan 2006
Book Review

The popular story of Noah’s Ark is transformed into the 21st Century. Reminding the reader initially of the original story in the bible, it then sets out to imagine how that story would be in today’s world. It is written with lively humorous and thought-provoking suggestions, including “The voice of God” in large bold print. Written simply for children to read themselves or as a class group. There are many points throughout the story where discussion could be introduced in class. Topical issues in the story would promote discussion for citizenship and cover parts of the new P.S.H.E curriculum especially in light of recent disaster events. There are lots of possibilities for use as an R.E. based Literacy project.

I love the men in white suits who always come to Noah’s help and turn out to be angels, the inclusion of an actual building and of course Stanley the spider. How many spiders do you know that can carry a mobile phone! The illustrations are few but very good and appropriate at the time of text. I gave it to a year 5 (9 years old) child who said they liked it because, “it was funny, had animals in it and it was modern.” Even Year 2 children would enjoy this book and be able to learn something from it. The web link suggested on the last page is a great follow up activity where children can see Stanley the Spider, read the results of the football match and other activities.

Overall I would recommend this book to be added to any primary school library. It is valuable for R.E., Literacy and P.S.H.E lessons as well as a very good read. Thoroughly enjoyable, although it leaves you wondering what happened to the animals!

A great story, retold many times, still interesting, lively and animated.