http://tamaranth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/201752-4-moon-in-cloud-shadow-on-sun.htm... ( )

Very creative midrash (rabbinic "backstory") for the story of Noah's Ark. The characters are engaging (the king of Kemi is particularly well-drawn), and there are lovely touches of humor, not even counting the sly reference to "Do-Re-Mi" from "The Sound of Music". If I'm lucky, the library will have the second and third installments so I can find out what happens to the main characters and not leave them stranded in the Ark. ( )

I recently read his book in response to my daughter's query: what was my favorite book as a child? The Moon in the Cloud and its sequels The Shadow on the Sun, and The Bright and Morning Star were the first books I read over and over. Reading The Moon in the Cloud again (the library no longer has the sequels) I found it was just as I remember: imaginative, humorous and full of characters I have remembered fondly all my life. I expected to find the books dated or some obvious reason for why they are virtually unknown today. But instead there was this wonderful story that could hold its own against more modern children's books.

This book won the Carnegie Medal for an outstanding children's book in 1968.

The story begins with Noah being tasked to build the Ark. Two of his sons are to help with the building, and Ham, his one lazy son, is to travel to Egypt (called Kemi) to bring back two cats and two lions. Instead the evil Ham does a deal with Reuben (neighbour and poor animal tamer) that he will obtain passage on the ark for Reuben and his wife, Thamar, in exchange for Reuben fetching the cats and lions.

So Ham goes into hiding, while Reuben sets out for Kemi with his talking Camel, Cat and Dog whose names are Anak, Cefalu and Benoni. They are captured and separated: Reuben in goal, Cefalu in the temple, Benoni the pet of a poor solder and Anak in the royal stables.

Meanwhile, Thamar, left behind, has to deal with the unwanted advances of Ham who prefers her to his own wife.

Reuben makes friends with a tomb robber and the King both of whom create further obstacles to Reuben's return home.

Seemingly stuck in Kemi, it seems that Reuben will never be able to recover his dispersed animals, collect the necessary cat and two lions, return home and hold the deceitful Ham to his bargain. ( )

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