Oh No, Jonah!

July 16, 2012
The biblical story of Jonah the reluctant and cranky prophet is retold in gorgeous color and catchy rhyme. Balsley (Let My People Go) casts into verse the familiar story of Jonah and the whale (or great fish) as well as what happens after Jonah finally gets to Nineveh and a merciful God forgives the city’s transgressors, much to the prophet’s chagrin. The focus of Balsley’s retold story becomes forgiveness (“and showing us how to forgive”), an interpretation that actually simplifies a problematic biblical book about a prophet who ducks his duty and then gets mad at God. Jago’s illustrations make the story child-friendly: the “great fish” that gobbles Jonah looks like a giant orange goldfish, and his color palette is warm and jewel-like. The book is probably best for younger children; it can acquaint them with a cultural trope without their raising theological questions about a less than heroic prophet. Ages 5–10.

August 1, 2012
The story of Jonah and God's command to him to warn the misbehaving people of Ninevah is retold in a rhyming narrative that brings out the reluctant prophet's continual noncompliance. In an introductory illustration depicting a biblical community of contentious men, Jonah looks on and disagrees with God's request to warn them of impending consequences. " 'Preach, ' said Jonah. / 'That's not fun-- / Ragging, nagging everyone.' " Jonah decides to run away, claiming that no one will appreciate his moralizing. He boards a ship headed in the opposite direction from Ninevah, but God's wrath stirs a huge storm that only subsides after Jonah realizes he must leave. He allows the sailors to throw him overboard and is promptly swallowed by a huge fish. Forced to rethink his original decision, he agrees to comply with God's command, yet after the deed is done and the repentant Ninevites have changed their wicked ways, he fumes that God decided to forgive them rather than punish them. Jonah must accept God's rationale after he loses his own comfort under the cooling shade of a tree. The rhyming verse ably encapsulates each of Jonah's negative and contemptuous reactions, which are followed by the refrain, "Oh no, Jonah," meant to be shouted aloud by listeners or readers. Acrylics on textured canvas of robed and bearded men with long hooked noses and a variety of complexions create a rather stereotypical illusion of the ancient world. A rousing rendition of the familiar tale. (Picture book. 4-7)

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October 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-This version of the Old Testament story of Jonah and his encounter with a "big fish" is written in simple verse: "That Nineveh's a horror show./Go preach to them, and let them know/Their wicked ways have got to go." The rhyme scheme is rough in spots but conveys the Scriptures faithfully and straightforwardly (e.g., using correctly "big fish" instead of "whale, etc). The colorful illustrations portray the action well, and they are large enough for a satisfying read-aloud. Libraries that need more Bible stories for this audience may want to include this one.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

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