"Only if we understand, can we care.
Only if we care, will we help.
Only if we help, shall all be saved.
- JANE GOODALL
Oh, my! Aaron Becker continues to amaze with his wordless picture books. The enormous zookeeper here is a robot. The world for the animals is desolate. They exist on water-surrounded bits of land that was once a thriving zoo. They are cared for by their robot friend, who supplies them with the food they need to survive as best they can.
NOA, as described by letters on its arm, is innovative and persistent in the care it gives to all denizens of this threatened space. In preparation for a departure that seems imminent, NOA fashions a small boat to test its usefulness. The rains come, and further flooding requires immediate action. Noa manages to bring all animals to a safe place before gathering the materials needed to build a bigger boat - an ark that will carry them away from where they are to something better.
Once construction is complete, they set off. All is peaceful and uplifting, until an oncoming violent storm provides a very real threat to their safety and destroys their tranquil voyage. They are soon shipwrecked in another bleak space. With help from the animals, NOA is revived. Helpless and alone, they stare in awe as another robot approaches and climbs down from the wooden basket of a hot air balloon. Introductions are made before the two load the animals aboard the airship and sail through cloudy skies to a lush tropical island of great promise. Friendship and tranquility are beautifully evident in the final frame.
No words are needed when the watercolor and pen and ink artwork is so rich and meaningful; when numerous fine details beg readers to stop in wonder at seeing something new every time they revisit its pages; and when a storyteller as talented as Aaron Becker graces us with yet another triumph. Bravo!
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