Wow. This has got to be about the longest I've gone without blogging here at Whimsy. And I've been slacking a bit at Clean Reads as well, although not nearly as bad as here.

I've been meaning to blog about a picture book I received for review. So, I'll start with that. 

Tara's Flight by Ruth Eitzen is a unique story about a very familiar subject...Noah and the Great Flood. 

Aram is Noah's grandson. His best friend is Tara, the dove from the Bible story. Aram doesn't play with the other kids much anymore because they are too busy taunting his grandfather.

"At last, one day, Grandfather Noah blows a long, loud blast on his horn. ALL ABOARD! Still now water, but Aram and Tara answer the call." Finally, the rains begin. There isn't much room in the arc to play. For forty days and nights, the rain comes down.

The waters begin to recede. Noah sends Tara out to find land. When he comes back with an olive twig, the family knows they can go home.

"No one knows how it came about, but even today when the white dove is seen flying across the world like a prayer, peace is on the way."


The illustrations by Allan Eitzen are beautiful and unique. They look like a combination of paint and paper cut-outs...but I'm not an artist, by any means.

I liked this book the first time through. However, I liked the book a whole lot better after a personal experience....

The kids were squabbling. My big boy stopped ubruptly and began an art project. I thought he was just removing himself from the situation, until I saw what he was making. He made a flag with a dove and olive branch on it, saying, "We aren't going to fight anymore. I made a peace flag."

So, now if someone starts arguing, we wave our peace flag, thanks to Tara's Flight...You can see why I had to review this one. I owed the author at least that much.



I'll be back sooner this time. I promise. I want to tell you some things I learned this weekend at LDStorymakers.