View source for Mrs Noah's Pockets by Jackie Morris and James Mayhew

{{infobox2
|title=Mrs Noah's Pockets
|author=Jackie Morris and James Mayhew
|reviewer= Anne Thompson
|genre=For Sharing
|summary= One of the most familiar of the biblical stories is retold with a surprising twist in this beautiful book. A thoughtful text is accompanied by stunning illustrations making this a satisfying and charming read. Highly recommended.
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=40
|publisher=Otter Barry Books
|date=September 2017
|isbn= 978-1910959091
|website= http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/blog/
|aznuk=191095909X
|aznus=191095909X
|cover=191095909X
}}
 
The heavy rains, Noah building his ark and the animals going in two by two to be saved. This most familiar of stories has been retold time and time again but not like this.  This time there is twist and someone else quietly takes centre stage. When Mr Noah builds the ark, he makes two lists - one for all the animals who will come on board and one for those troublesome creatures he will leave behind. Meanwhile, Mrs Noah gets out her sewing machine and makes a coat with very deep pockets. Lots of pockets.

This beautiful book is really something rather special. The story is told by [[:Category:Jackie Morris|Jackie Morris]] with warmth and a touch of humour.  The text flows in a style that would be lovely when read aloud and the stunning illustrations bring the story to life in way that makes the reader want to linger on each page. Those familiar with James Mayhew's work from his [[Katie and the Waterlily Pond by James Mayhew|Katie]] and [[Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella by James Mayhew|Ella Bella]] picture books will notice a difference, as for this collaboration he has adopted a dramatic new style using a different technique. This works beautifully in conjunction with the text and creates a whole that is a treat to share with children of all ages.

I loved Mrs Noah. As Mr Noah organises and supervises doing ''important'' things she quietly watches, smiles and makes her own plans. Jackie Morris has created a wonderful, quiet rebel and [[:Category:James Mayhew|James Mayhew]] has given her a dignified beauty. As she stands in the prow of the ark with her wonderful coat cascading behind her and her umbrella aloft she looks simply magnificent. As a book lover I especially enjoyed the pages when she gathers the children around to tell them stories whilst Mr Noah sleeps.  The book is cleverly designed too with the use of white space and the positioning of the text adding to the overall look.

It would be a shame to give away the ending of the story but I loved the final images and Mrs Noah looking happier and even more beautiful as her plan works. In fact I had to suppress a cheer. A very quiet one! A lovely story and a gorgeous book.

Thank you to the publishers, Otter Barry Books for providing this review copy.
For a more humorous take on the story of Noah and his ark I would suggest [[Monkey Business by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and David Wojtowycz]]
 
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