Noah and the Ziz, by the award-winning author Jacqueline Jules, answers this question by sending the Ziz to the rescue. Who is the Ziz? He is a giant yellow bird with huge red wings that block out the sun. The Ziz is so strong he can carry an elephant with his feet and fly across the world in twenty minutes. He is the perfect bird for the job. But there is a problem. The Ziz is a little clumsy and a lot hyperactive. In his zeal to please and succeed, he wreaks havoc. Small animals are too frightened to go with him.

How does the Ziz deal with this problem? He goes to Mount Sinai where he can poke his purple-feathered head into Heaven. Whenever the Ziz is in trouble, he consults God. Their conversations in Noah and the Ziz and its prequel, The Hardest Word, provide young readers with an entertaining example of turning to God for help.

Author Jacqueline Jules created the Ziz character from a mythological bird mentioned in the Book of Psalms. She researched this legend and added some of her own personality traits to the character. “Like the Ziz,” Ms. Jules admits, “I am impatient. I like to finish things right away. I also share the source of the Ziz’s many mishaps – I am clumsy.”

Reviews of The Hardest Word, in which the Ziz made his first appearance, said “that any kid who has ever broken a dish or sent a baseball through a window will identify.” In his newest adventure, the Ziz will appeal to young readers who understand exactly why the Ziz is frustrated when Noah keeps reminding him to be careful. And they will applaud his success, when Noah finally says the words the Ziz has been longing to hear – “good job.”

Jacqueline Jules is a school librarian, who says she gets her ideas when planning lessons. For many years, she worked in religious education and saw a lack of entertaining stories with a spiritual center. “Lessons delivered with humor have child appeal,” she says. “Parents want faith to be a warm, positive force in their children’s lives. They need attractive books children will sit still for and ask to hear again. Noah’s Ark, with all its animals, is well-loved by children. Noah and the Ziz is an imagined prequel to this familiar tale. By speculating on an unknown aspect of the Noah’s Ark story, Noah and the Ziz invites young readers to create their own extensions of favorite Bible stories. When we ponder the unanswered questions in the Bible, such as how the animals arrived at the Ark, we deepen our understanding and appreciation for the text.”

Jacqueline Jules became so attached to her character that she asked a local artist to make her a stuffed Ziz. She appears at book signings and story times with her large yellow friend. Her performances also include songs, fingerplays, and audience participation.

For more information, please visit www.jacquelinejules.com.