Amongst the silliness of this quirky retelling of the Noah's Ark story are some profound philosophical ponderings. ( )

Cute illustrations are throughout this translated-to-English children's novel. The story is cute enough to entertain voracious readers, but many children may find the book a little draggy. I don't really want to dwell on the negative, and I know it is hard to write a universal kids' book nowadays. If your child loves penguins and just can't read enough, check this one out from the library. The book questions God's motives in flooding the Earth (killing most of the animals and humans) and many other things you or your kids might ask. The answers are a little mixed.

I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. ( )

My 9 year old daughter and I read this short book in a few sittings and found it charming and funny. The author takes a perennial favorite story, Noah's ark, and turns it on its ear. Younger children might simple find the story fun. The two chosen penguins don't want to leave their young, irascible, yet endearing friend behind when they leave for the ark. So the two smuggle him aboard in a suitcase. The high jinx are wonderfully illustrated by [[Jörg Mühle]]. Discerning middle readers might pick up on more difficult questions, such as Why would God choose to punish even animals with the deluge? Why does the young penguin commit an evil act? Why is he forgiven? Can even God make mistakes? And there is an even subtler layer. The author has chosen to make the two penguins chosen to be saved on the ark male. Only through a careful watch of pronouns is this obvious. And when the two penguins disembark, there are indeed three of them, although through adoption not procreation. So whether the book is enjoyed as a witty children's story, a religious thought-provoker for middle readers, or a social commentary, I would recommend zipping through it for it's unique take on an old story.

Note: I read an uncorrected proof. ( )

Meet At the Ark at Eight is a story about some penguins who can't bear to leave their friend behind when the announcement comes that only two may go on Noah's ark to be saved. After trying to avoid the rain, the decide to smuggle the third penguin on board in a suitcase. The characterizations of the animals - especially the penguins and the dove (who also seems to be the purser for the ship) are humorous. The dialogue is witty. There are lessons to be learned about friendship and sticking together.

However, if you are conservative about the Word of God being inspired and not adding to or taking away from it, this is NOT the book for you. There are some traits these animals have (lying, sneaking) that are not scripturally endorse. The liberties taken with the Noah's Ark story are vast and the characterization of Noah as being somewhat dimwitted is definitely not in holding with what the Bible teaches.

For me, I very much enjoyed this chapter book as fiction. It made me giggle out loud in places, and I thought it was a very cute idea based on an age old story. However, I would not use it in a Bible class nor would I advocate putting it in a church library due to the controversial nature of the story. I am planning on giving it to my twelve-year-old to read as a starter to an actual study of the Noah's Ark study. I know she can discern reality from fiction and I think we can have some fun with it. ( )

Two penguins sneak their little penguin friend onto Noah's ark so that he isn't destroyed in the great flood. The dove, who is in charge, keeps looking in on the penguins who have to keep hiding one of themselves. When the ark lands they are discovered but find out they could have survived the flood anyways because of their swimming skills.

I like the reading level for children, an intermediate chapter book. But talking about killing the butterfly for a bit, and some of the other word choice prevents me from putting it in my classroom library. It was entertaining to read, but not sure how I would feel sharing it with a young Christian. ( )