The White Ravens Database

Presented by   Internationale Jugendbibliothek / International Youth Library

English / Great Britain

Mrs Noah’s pockets

Morris, Jackie (text)
Mayhew, James (illus.)
Burley Gate, Herefordshire: Otter-Barry Books, 2017. – [34] p.
ISBN 978-1-91095-909-1

Noah's Ark  | Mythological creature  | Discrimination  | Rescue  | Storytelling  | Imagination  | Picture book

Reading age: 4+

White Ravens issue: 2018

OPAC

In the Bible story about Noah and the ark, the eponymous hero usually gets all the credit for saving the creatures of the Earth. Not so in this witty and thought-provoking feminist take on the widely-known tale, which was inspired by an opera production called “Noah’s Flood”, for which prolific artist James Mayhew had designed some artwork. In this picture-book version, author Jackie Morris introduces readers to a more fallible Noah: a prejudiced and self-satisfied fellow. He sees the big flood as his chance to get rid of all the “more troublesome creatures”. His wife, however, is intent on thwarting his abominable plans. Secretly sewing up a colourful coat with lots of deep pockets, Mrs Noah comes to the rescue of the mythical creatures her husband had planned to abandon; and in turn, she also saves the world of imagination and the ancient tradition of storytelling. Jackie Morris’s quiet, poetic text with a twist is transformed into vivid mixed-media and collage illustrations.