The Chameleon That Saved Noah’s Ark by Yael Molchadsky with illustrations by Orit Bergman; Penguin Young Readers Group/ Nancy Paulsen Books (c) 2015; ISBN 978-1-100-99676-8; 28 pages, 16.99
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO –You could call this Israeli-written and illustrated book a fable, or a midrash, that utilizes the well-known biblical story of Noah to teach young children that “even the smallest creatures have a big role to play in nature.”
In this case, Noah and his family are kept very busy feeding the many animals on the Ark, but they find that one pair of animals–the chameleons–just won’t eat, no matter what Noah offers them.
There is another worrisome development on the Ark as well. Far more than two worms have gotten aboard. In fact, there are so many worms that they threaten to destroy the apples and other produce that Noah has stocked aboard to feed the herbivores.
Then one problem is solved by another. The chameleons make tasty treats of the worms, thereby saving the fruit and vegetable supply for the larger animals.
At the same time, Noah carefully puts two worms out of the chameleons’ reach, so that they too will be able to reproduce once the Ark makes landfall.
The story is fanciful, yet for young children, it is an eye-appealing introduction to how nature must be allowed to keep itself in balance. Ecology in this era of climate warming deserves to be understood by the young and the old and everyone in between.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)