Mrs. Noah's Pockets

Mrs. Noah sorts and sews while her husband builds the ark according to God's instructions. She watches him gather the animals but has her own secret plan taking shape, hidden in the deep pockets of her coat. As the flood waters rise, Mrs. Noah continues her quiet work, collecting and protecting things her husband has overlooked. The journey on the ark provides time for her mission to develop, even as the other passengers focus on survival. This retelling of the Noah's Ark tale centers the traditionally peripheral figure of Mrs. Noah and transforms her into the protector of the world's wild and mysterious creatures. The story explores themes of preservation, wisdom, and the importance of safeguarding not just the obvious and practical, but also the magical and overlooked.

Readers appreciate the feminist twist on the Noah's Ark story, with Mrs. Noah taking action to save magical creatures. Parents note the book provides opportunities to discuss conservation and environmentalism with children. What readers liked: - James Morris's detailed illustrations, particularly the hidden creatures in Mrs. Noah's dress - The subtle humor throughout the story - The empowering message for young girls - The poetic writing style What readers disliked: - Some found the story too abstract for young children - A few mentioned the pacing feels slow in the middle - Several noted confusion about which creatures were being saved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) Review quotes: "A clever reimagining that gives Mrs. Noah agency and purpose" - Goodreads reviewer "The artwork is stunning but my 4-year-old lost interest halfway through" - Amazon reviewer "Love how it celebrates preservation of the mysterious and magical" - LibraryThing reviewer

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca The story weaves together three generations of determined women who undertake a transformative journey, echoing Mrs. Noah's commitment to preserving what matters most.

The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant A tale of an elderly woman who saves what she deems precious demonstrates the power of preservation and care found in Mrs. Noah's mission.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney The protagonist's dedication to making the world more beautiful parallels Mrs. Noah's secret acts of safeguarding creatures.

The Promise by Nicola Davies A narrative about a woman who transforms her gray city by planting trees reflects the theme of protecting and nurturing life against the odds.

The Fog by Kyo Maclear, Kenard Pak A small warbler's mission to save her environment mirrors Mrs. Noah's determination to protect endangered creatures from disappearing.

🌊 While many versions of Noah's Ark focus on Noah himself, this book uniquely centers on Mrs. Noah as the clever heroine who secretly saves magical creatures by hiding them in her pockets. 🎨 Author Jackie Morris is also an award-winning illustrator who has created artwork for more than 40 children's books, including "The Lost Words" and "Tell Me a Dragon." 🧵 The story celebrates the often-overlooked role of women in mythology and folklore, giving Mrs. Noah agency and wisdom in her mission to preserve mythical creatures. 🌈 The book incorporates creatures from various world mythologies, including phoenixes, unicorns, and dragons, weaving together different cultural traditions. 📚 This story is actually a companion piece to "Mrs Noah's Garden," which follows the same character after the flood waters recede and she creates a magical garden with the creatures she saved.