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Mugnier's book is a collection of illustrations and anecdotes about the animals on Noah's Ark, as well as a few that didn't make it onto the boat. Readers familiar with the Anansi stories will find this collection similar. The stories also discuss how carnivores, such as lions, navigated the journey, highlighting the crucial role scavengers played. This raises questions about possible enigmatic animals that didn't make it and why certain prehistoric creatures didn't join the trip. Many of the stories borrow from the animal traits themselves, like anecdotes about the annoyance of woodpeckers, or from popular tales, as in the race between the tortoise and the hare. Also, Mugnier inserts humor and popular culture in a few places. The selection includes around sixty creatures in all.
Magnier's book is interesting, and the first thing that sets it apart is the artwork. There are times when the proportions don't seem quite right, or an animal's look is just a tad off, but this actually makes them stand out and gives the illustrations that touch of whimsy that will engage most readers. Although some of the anecdotes overlap, each illustration and anecdote is self-contained so that a reader can enjoy one or several at a time or read the entire work in one sitting. Mugnier has a habit of ending each anecdote with a little extra quip with mixed results. For most readers, especially those with a sense of whimsy and those who enjoy instructive animal tales, this book will be enjoyable and entertaining.
A 2026 Eric Hoffer Book Award Spiritual Fiction Honorable Mention