Noah Zark: What Do You Do When Your House is a Zoo?
When Noah’s parents build a huge boat in the backyard to house his wide array of pets, he worries the animals will forget him. Instead, Noah learns a positive lesson about the power of friendship.
Noah Zark loves his many pets, from goats and penguins to giraffes and pigs. Unfortunately, that means the Zarks’ house is very crowded! Noah’s parents come up with a clever plan to handle their animal overload — they build a giant boat (ala Noah’s ark) in the backyard for the animals to share.
That’s when Noah starts to worry. When his pets move into their new home, will they forget about him and never want to play?
Filled with bright, joyful illustrations, this endearing picture book about a boy who loves animals — and the animals who love him — sends a positive message about the power of creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt and grow with the help of those we care about most.
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Available through Ingram Content Group for retailers and libraries.
ISBN: 979-8-9902951-2-4 (Paperback), 979-8-9902951-3-1 (Hardcover)
Readers’ Favorite 4-star review
“Noah Zark by Susan Polk Van Dusen is a delightful rhyming picture book for young readers who love animals.
This is not a traditional animal book where each page shows a new animal with a description. Instead, numerous animals fill most of the pages, providing a teaching opportunity beyond the story.
The pictures alone are a reason to get this book. They are hand drawn by Scott Mattson and will appeal to animal lovers and parents who want to educate their children about a variety of different animals—from aardvarks to kangaroos to parakeets.
Susan Polk Van Dusen keeps the action moving as Noah’s parents creatively resolve the problem of a house overflowing with animals. Children will learn that even if things don’t work out the way they want, they can still have a happy ending. This is an important lesson, especially for kids who become easily disappointed when things don’t go their way.”
What people are saying
“This adorable book uses clever rhymes and delightful pictures to tell the story of how Noah’s parents come up with a unconventional solution to their overcrowded home. It’s a lighthearted story that teaches kids about responsibility and problem-solving.” — Holly Friedman, English teacher
“Beautifully illustrated, this book may help kindle a child’s appreciation for animals and might just spark a young imagination about the ways to care for pets and the creation.” — Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder, author of Stepping on Cheerios: Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life
Watch the read-along video
Van Dusen Books 