Noah's Ark: by Jerry Pinkney (a critique)

Jerry Pinkney, author and illustrator, received a Caldecott Honor Award in 2003 for his work, Noah's Ark. This book retells the biblical story found in the book of Genesis. In this story God told Noah that He would bring a flood upon the earth because He was not pleased with the evilness of humankind. Noah was a faithful servant to the Lord and obeyed His commands. God gave Noah instructions that included building a large ark made of cypress wood and filling it with two creatures of every kind, bringing enough food for the animals and Noah and his family. God made Noah a promise that he would keep his family and those animals safe. While Noah built the ark, the people questioned Noah. After Noah, his family, and the animals were safe on the ark, the rain came for forty days and forty nights and flooded the earth. After the rain ended and the water levels dropped, Noah sent a dove to find out if the land was dry. The dove returned with an olive branch and Noah knew there was dry land. Noah and his family praised God and cared for the earth. God assured that He would never flood the earth again and sent a rainbow as His promise.
The illustrations in this story are absolutely exquisite and very unique. His illustrations proved to be distinguished because he received a Caldecott Honor Award for his work. Pinkney used a combination of watercolors, colored pencils, and pencils to create his pictures. I admire Pinkney's attention to detail in his illustrations. In addition, the contrasting bright and subtle color combinations that were used throughout the book were phenomenal . The method in which he drew the winds, the waves, and the rain truly made the book come to life. He did an excellent job of helping make the illustrations tell the story.
Jerry Pinkney is a well-known artist and has illustrated over one hundred children's books. Some of his other works include The Moon Over Star, Little Red Riding Hood, The Old African, God Bless The Child, The Nightingale, In for Winter, Out for Spring, Journeys with Elijah, John Henry, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, The Little Match Girl, Goin' Someplace Special, Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me, The Hired Hand, The Ugly Duckling, and Sunday Outing.

Resource:

http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com/frameset.html